Dolphins “ready to go” in crunch clash

Pictures courtesy Dolphins NRL

Dolphins have “bounced back well” and are “ready to go” says coach Kristian Woolf ahead of tomorrow’s showdown against Sharks at Kayo Stadium.

‘Phins will run out just before 3pm for the Round 19 match, in fifth place, level on points with the visitors, who are sixth, but have played one game less.

Forwards Max Plath and Tom Flegler will tomorrow back-up three days after being on Origin duty for Queensland. But Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Jack Bostock will be rested.

With eight days before the Round 20 fixture at home to Cowboys and a bye in Round 21, all should be well rested as Dolphins chase their first finals.

“We’ve had a really good week, got a bit more energy about us and are ready to go (against Sharks),” says coach Woolf, who warned: “We’re not in finals yet.

“What we’ve got to do is worry about this week, put in a really good performance against a team that’s been top four or thereabouts for the last couple of years.

“It’s a real challenge for us and we need to get that right.”

Looking back, Woolf said Dolphins, as a team, were “five per cent off” in the 13-12 defeat by Knights last week.

After big games against Titans, Warriors, Knights and the disruptions of Origin, Woolf felt he side “probably showed a couple of little signs of fatigue last week,” Woolf said.

“But it’s back to normality after Origin and I think we can enjoy this week.

“The ones who stepped in and held the fort have done a really good job. They’ve had their opportunity, taken their chance and can be really proud of that.”

Isaiya Katoa will miss tomorrow’s game as he recovers from injury, while Woolf praised Kodi Nikorima and Brad Schneider who will be paired together again.

The coach was also proud of Jack Bostock, who returned to Dolphins the day after helping NSW win Origin - and insists he did not knock-on in a disputed call!

“He’s a really mature young man,” Woolf said, “he enjoyed the win and was in yesterday (Thursday), looking really fresh, really good, he’s obviously keen to get going again.

“I’m really proud of Jack Bostock, in so many ways. The way he handled that knee injury last year, when he was playing really well, it hurt him and hurt us.

“Watching him train after that injury … the confidence and work ethic he had gave me every confidence about him coming into the team.

“I don’t think he’s even played 10 games of NRL yet, coming back from a knee reconstruction, most take that time to get back to their best and get confidence back.

“I’ve been really proud watching all the (Dolphins) blokes in Origin, watching how they performed at that level, how well they all held up.

“While it has been a bit disruptive, I know at some stage of the season it will help us.”