Dolphins ready for Sunshine Showdown

The Dolphins’ NRL, Hostplus Cup and All Stars teams will travel to the Gold Coast Titans’ home ground for three big games of footy on Sunday.

The Dolphins NRL side will face the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium in what is being called the Sunshine Showdown (kick-off 4.05pm).

The last time the two sides met, the Dolphins made the equal biggest comeback in premiership history to win 28-26 at Suncorp Stadium, after trailing by 26 points in the first half.

The Titans have had four wins and four losses since then and are 10^th on the ladder, while the Dolphins have had two wins and six losses are 12^th.

On Sunday, the Titans have a big day planned, with the Tweed Seagulls’ and Redcliffe Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup sides playing for the Liam Hampson Cup as the curtain-raiser match (Round 17 Hostplus Cup). Kick-off is at 1.15pm.

The clash between Hampson’s two former clubs will be the first in what will be an annual tribute to the popular player and teammate who died while on an end-of-season holiday in Spain late last year.

The Redcliffe Dolphins are coming off a 24-24 draw with the Townsville Blackhawks and are fifth on the ladder, while the Tweed Seagulls are seventh on the ladder after a 30-16 win over Norths Devils last weekend.

On Sunday, there will also be a charity game between the Titans All Stars and Dolphins All Stars (Old Boys) with funds being raised for injured Future Titans and Redcliffe Dolphins player, Joseph Pouniu (kick-off at 3.05pm).

Big names back in NRL team

Jarrod Wallace and Anthony Milford have been brought straight back into the Dolphins’ team as the club gets some encouraging news on hooker Jeremy Marshall-King.

It was feared Marshall-King was in for a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a recurring AC joint shoulder injury suffered in Saturday’s loss to the Broncos.

Marshall-King starred in the game, scoring a try that edged the Dolphins ahead of the Broncos in the second half before aggravating the injury. It has since settled down and he has been named in the side and is expected to play on Sunday.

Wallace and Milford are certainties to come off the bench after completing three-match suspensions, but Dolphins’ enforcer Felise Kaufusi is out with concussion.

Kenny Bromwich will move back to the second row and Herman Ese’ese will start as prop against his old club.

Euan Aitken has been promoted from the interchange to the centres to cover the loss of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to State of Origin duty.

Kodi Nikorima will again play as fullback, while Max Plath and Harrison Graham provide cover for Marshall-King on the extended bench.

Wallace glad to be back

Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace told Dolphins Media, earlier this week, that it had been a frustrating time since his Round 14 suspension for a shoulder charge.

“There’s been a lot of things kicked around my bedroom … it’s been very frustrating and upsetting … a lot of guilt. I feel like I let the boys down,” he said.

“They put in a lot of work and they’ve been training hard. I’ve just been trying to do everything I can and make sure I’m ready to obviously be back this week against the Titans.”

Wallace is expecting an intense first half and knows he will need to be at his best.

“I’ve just got to come out and do my job – run hard, tackle hard basically. The Titans will be looking for a win. They’ve been playing some really good footy and they’re always tough especially in that first 40 minutes they’re going to be tough down there at their home ground,” he said.

“It’s the first time I’ve played there since I left. I’m excited and just want to make sure I do my job and make sure I’m bringing a lot of energy and bring what I bring to the team and hopefully take that two points.”