‘I feel like I’m a different player’

He’s a young gun who has been compared to hardman Ray Stone, for his fearless physicality, but Kurt Donoghoe is only just getting started.

The 23-year-old has been the Dolphins’ Mr Fix-it this season, playing in a number of positions as the club’s casualty list has exploded.

He’s stepped up on every occasion, even playing with a broken nose, in a bid to repay the faith Head Coach Kristian Woolf has in him and to do everything he can for his team.

“I’ve really enjoyed it … this starting role that I’ve been playing. I’ve kind of been waiting for this opportunity … I’m happy I’ve gotten to take it with both hands,” he says.

“I’m happy I can keep playing the footy I play. Big credit to Woolfy, he’s been backing me and put a lot of confidence in me.

“It’s hard to explain … Woolfy, he’s given me so much confidence the last two years. I feel like I’m a different player this year. He’s just backed me.

“He’s just told me what I’m good at and how I can be best for the team. I’ve tried to do that. I owe him a lot of credit … it’s hard to explain what he says and what he does but it’s definitely worked for me.”

Donoghoe and his team face the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm kick off) in a game that means much to both sides as they look to stay in finals contention and honour the late Arthur Beetson.

Donoghoe says it will be a special game which celebrates Beetson’s strong connection to both clubs and falls in Indigenous round.

“We have a few Indigenous boys and we know it’s going to be special for them, so we will do what we can for those boys,” he says.

“Destiny’s definitely in our hands. It’s a big game, there’s a lot to play for this week.”

The Dolphins will be without Herbie Farnworth (hamstring) and Felise Kaufusi (suspension), but Jamayne Isaako is expected to play despite missing today’s training session.

Isaako is resting a groin strain but is expected to train on Friday and be fit for Saturday’s game.

Donoghoe says, regardless of who makes up the team, the message from the coach remains the same.

“Pretty much rinse and repeat what we’ve been doing. We don’t need to change too much. It’s just that next-man-up mentality, just keep working hard at what we’re good at and stick to our process,” he says.

Donoghoe says hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has been one of his key mentors this season.

“He plays big minutes and I’m out on the field with him a lot of the time. Me and him talk about footy a lot,” he says.

So, what does he think of comparisons to Ray Stone?

“I don’t know … I think we both just love the physicality side of the game. Ray’s another one I’ve been pretty close to the last couple of years … just seeing the way he plays and throws himself into people … he’s probably my size and he goes after the big boys and loves taking them down. I’ll take that as a compliment,” he says.

Another valued teammate is Josh Kerr, who is rumoured to be heading back to the Dragons in 2026.

“It would be sad to see him go. He’s one of our good mates, we all love Josh. It would be great to keep him … I’m not too sure what’s going on there but if he leaves, it will be upsetting not only to lose a friend but a good quality player,” Donoghoe says.

“What you see is what you get with big Freaky (as his teammates call him). He’s out there and loud and everyone loves him.”

Training photo gallery

By Dominika Lis