Words by Kylie Knight
The countdown is on for the start of the Hostplus Cup season for Redcliffe Dolphins who officially launch their season on Friday ahead of round one on March 19.
Head Coach Scott Murray says preseason has gone quickly and the majority of the squad is fit and ready to go.
“We’ve tried to make it full of energy and a bit different to what they’ve done previously – fun and enjoyable as possible, if you can do that,” Murray says.
“Sometimes it can drag on for the players. The majority of the squad are fit and ready to go.”
Murray is still locking in some key positions and had hoped two trial games would make those decisions easier, with Warriors players to consider, young rising stars and experienced players to choose from.
But the Dolphins haven’t yet had a run on the paddock, with their first trial game against Norths on February 26 cancelled due to heavy rain and last weekend’s trial against Souths Logan also washed out.
The side will get just one trial game – against the Falcons at Bribie Island RLFC on March 12 at 5.30pm – before they meet the Falcons again in round on at Moreton Daily Stadium on March 19.
When asked how the side was looking, Murray says footy is changing, speeding up, which is something they have been working on in the preseason to improve reaction times and play at a faster pace.
“The squad has done really well with that. There’s been a competition element to what we’ve been doing,” Murray says.
“They’ve responded really well in regards to skill and physical level. We’re keen to put it into practise and see where we’re at.”
A few new faces …
Murray says there are some new faces to watch this season including Dunamis Lui, a former Bronco and Canberra prop who made his State of Origin debut in 2020.
Dunamis brings, experience, leadership and toughness to the Dolphins’ engine room and has already been mentoring young forwards in the squad.
Also joining him at the Dolphins are hookers Kyle Patterson (Cronulla Sharks) and Liam Hampson who has come from Tweed.
Add to that a few guys who are also training with the Warriors, and Murray says they have a strong squad for 2022.
There’s Adam Cook at five-eighth, Jayden Corrigan at outside back and Jackson Frei who has played some NRL for the Warriors.
“They’re part of our squad and will come back to us over the course of the next couple of weeks,” Murray says.
He says having the Warriors based in Redcliffe is working well.
“It’s made it so much easier. They’re in and around the community, they’re part of Redcliffe,” he says.
“They don’t have to travel and are on our doorstep. That’s going to be an enormous benefit for them and for us to in and around what they do.”
He says that has changed a bit in recent weeks, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but he has already benefited from the contact they had earlier in the preseason.
“They’re a great bunch of people,” he says.
What to expect from round 1
Murray is expecting a tough game against the Sunshine Coast Falcons in round 1, with the same local rivalry fans have grown to enjoy.
“They’ve picked up some quality players. Anything we do, we’ll build on that. Hopefully, it’s going to be a winning start (to the season),” he says.
“It will take some time to get some combinations going, but I’m confident we can start well.”
The club’s season launch is on March 11, where the side’s captain for 2022 will be announced.
So, who’s the club to beat this season (other than the Dolphins)?
“Norths had a good year last year. They’ve lost a few players but recruited well,” Murray says.
“Wynnum has also recruited really well as have Easts who also have that affiliation with Melbourne Storm, which the Falcons do as well.”
He says it makes for a competitive competition.
See the bios for the 2022 Redcliffe Dolphins Hostplus Cup squad below.
Toby Elliott, 21
Position: Half/hooker
Height: 180cm
Weight: 83kg
Favourite workout tune: Jamboree
Favourite post-game meal: Macca's
Worst training drill: 1 on 1 full contact
Sporting hero: Shaun Johnson
Background: Toby is a smart half-back that reads the game well. He has gained plenty of experience and respect while training with the top squad this preseason.
Pio Nakubuwai, 24
Position: Back row/centre
Height: 187cm
Weight: 100kg
Favourite workout tune: Body in Motion - Dj Khaled (feat. Bryson Tiller, Roddy Rich, Lil Baby)
Favourite post-game meal: Hungry Jack’s
Worst training drill: Malcoms
Sporting hero: Jarrad Subloo
Background: Limited again in 2021 by injury and surgery, Pio is yet to play a fixture in a Dolphins jersey. He is a big Fijian centre usually but don’t be surprised to see him in the second row at some stage. He is strong, fast and has good skills.
Jarrett Boland, 24
Position: Second row, prop
Height: 195cm
Weight: 111kg
Favourite workout tune: Can’t stop - Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Favourite post-game meal: Zinger box with extra wings
Worst training drill: Malcoms
Sporting hero: Boyd Cordner
Background: A tall back rower who can play prop also. A great teammate and clubman. Jarrett will be a regular in the team week-to-week. Enjoys helping the Dolphins juniors in his spare time.
Jack Aiken, 21
Position: Centre
Height: 184cm
Weight: 93kg
Favourite workout tune: Run this town - Jay-Z & Rhianna
Favourite post-game meal: Stuffed crust pizza
Worst training drill: Malcoms
Sporting hero: Dan Carter
Background: Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, Jack is a well-built centre who has been one of the best in the under 21s competition for the past couple of seasons. He will handle the step up the Cup.
Shane Pumipi, 31
Position: Hooker
Height: 175cm
Weight: 95kg
Favourite workout tune: Old-school hip hop/reggae
Favourite post-game meal: Pork bones, watercress, fried bread
Worst training drill: 1.2 time trial
Sporting hero: My dad and Jonah Lomu
Background: A Grand Finalist in 2016 with the Dolphins, played NRL with the Dragons. Second season back at the club out of semi-retirement and is one of the smartest footballers running around in the HPC.
Liam Hampson, 23
Position: Hooker
Height: 178cm
Weight: 85kg
Favourite workout tune: When it Rains it Pours - 50 cent
Favourite post game meal: Chicken Parmy
Worst training drill: Assault bike
Sporting hero: Joe Burrow
Background: From the Tweed Seagulls, Hampo caused the Dolphins a few headaches on a couple of occasions last year. The livewire hooker will keep teams guessing around the ruck.
Lachlan Timm, 25
Position: Front row or lock
Height: 187cm
Weight: 111kg
Favourite workout tune: Everlong - Foo fighters
Favourite post game meal: Pizza
Worst training drill: Malcoms
Sporting hero: Shane Webcke
Background: A former Dolphins Colts player. Lachlan plays front row or lock. He is a very honest player that gives his all every match. Coming off the back of a strong 2021 campaign, he will again be one of the regulars in the Dolphins pack. Works as an early childhood teacher.
Tahj Wood, 21
Position: fullback/halves
Height: 182cm
Weight: 92kg
Favourite workout tune: Gecko - Oliver Heldens, Becky hill
Favourite post-game meal: KFC zinger box
Worst training drill: Malcoms
Sporting hero: Jonathan Thurston
Background: A versatile player that is at home at fullback, in the halves or anywhere in the back line. His career has been hampered by injury until now. In his first year in the seniors, Tahj will be a handy inclusion to a strong squad.
Dunamis Lui, 32
Position: Front row, second row
Height: 180cm
Weight: 110kg
Favourite workout tune: Just Got Started Lovin’ You - James Otto
Favourite post game meal: McDonald’s or KFC
Worst training drill: Wrestling
Sporting hero: Kobe Bryant
Background: The former Bronco and Canberra prop made his State of Origin debut in 2020. Dunamis brings, experience, leadership and toughness to the Dolphins engine room. He has fitted in with the squad extremely well and is in very good shape after the preseason workload.
Justin Worley, 23
Position: Centre/second row
Height: 190cm
Weight: 98kg
Favourite workout tune: Bones -Wax Mustang
Favourite post game meal: GYG Calli burrito
Worst training drill: MAS
Sporting hero: Steven Thompson
Background: In great shape after a strong preseason in his second year on the peninsula. A powerful runner with an aggressive streak.
Sheldon Pitama, 26
Position: Lock/hooker
Height: 174cm
Weight: 93kg
Favourite workout tune: Perfect Two
Favourite post-game meal: Guzman y Gomez and a maxi bond
Worst training drill: Any fitness further than 70m
Sporting hero: My old man
Background: A robust hooker who can play lock. Sheldon defends very well and is a clever ball player. A former Kiwi representative in the juniors he will again provide some starch around the ruck.
Benjamin King, 26
Position: Front row, lock, second row
Height: 189cm
Weight: 104kg
Favourite workout tune: A Tale of 2 Citiez - j. Cole
Favourite post-game meal: Mum’s cooking
Worst training drill: Malcoms
Sporting hero: Tom Brady
Background: A Dolphins Junior, Kingy has played some HPC and performed admirably. The club is expecting big things from him this year as he continues to develop. He works as a high voltage electrician during the day.
Josh Beehag, 27
Position: Wing/anywhere
Height: 175cm
Weight: 95kg
Favourite workout tune: none
Favourite post-game meal: GYG
Worst training drill: 1.2km test
Sporting hero: none
Background: Local Redcliffe Dolphins junior. He was a winger in the 2018 premiership team and is tough as nails. While working and playing for the Dolphins, Josh put himself through university and is now an engineer. A Dolphin through and through!
Nathan Watts, 25
Position: Front Row
Height: 187cm
Weight: 108kg
Favourite workout tune: none
Favourite post-game meal: KFC
Worst training drill: 1.2km test
Sporting hero: Petero Civoniceva
Background: Another local Dolphins junior. A try scorer in the victorious 2018 team who beat the Tigers at Suncorp. Despite some minor injury setbacks in this preseason, Wattsy is still looking very fit and strong. He is a certain starter in the Dolphin pack again this year.
Setu Tu, 23
Position: Wing/fullback
Height: 189cm
Weight: 95kg
Favourite workout tune: Never Would Have Made It - TYJ
Favourite post-game meal: Eggs and toast
Worst training drill: none
Sporting hero: RTS / Israel Folau
Background: This is his second season at the Dolphins from the Warrior’s system. A big winger with very good footwork, Setu was restricted by injury in 2021 but showed enough to suggest bigger things are ahead for the likable player.
Cameron Cullen 28
Position: Halfback
Height: 172cm
Weight: 83kg
Favourite workout tune: Lose Yourself - Eminem
Favourite post-game meal: KFC
Worst training drill: Parly’s warm-up
Sporting hero: Jonathon Thurston, Alfie Langer
Background: Former NRL player with the Gold Coast and Manly, premiership winning captain with the Dolphins in 2018. A wonderful leader that has a great running and passing game. Owns and operates Image Realty on the peninsula.
Tyson Cleal, 27
Position: Front row
Height: 186cm
Weight: 105kg
Favourite workout tune: When the Rain Tumbles Down in July
Favourite post-game meal: Pizza
Worst training drill: 1.2km time trial
Sporting hero: Joe Frazier
Background: A Dolphins Junior also, a try scorer in the 2016 ISC Grand Final. Tyson plays front row or lock and is an aggressive defender. At his best, he is a crowd favourite. He works at Moreton Daily Stadium as a groundsman.
Ed Burns, 23
Position: Wing/centre
Height: 189cm
Weight: 98kg
Favourite workout tune: Jimmy Recard - Drapht
Favourite post-game meal: Pizza
Worst training drill: Wrestle conditioning
Background: Ed arrives on the peninsula from bayside rivals the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. He is a strong running centre/winger who is very experienced at Cup level. Ed is not your usual rugby league player having completed his degree in medicine and working at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Mali LePou, 22
Position: Second Row
Height: 182cm
Weight: 94kg
Favourite workout tune: Need It (nba young boy)
Favourite post-game meal: Steak with mushroom sauce
Worst training drill: Shuttles
Sporting hero: Dallas Johnson
Background: A gifted back rower who came through the Dolphins’ under 21s in 2021. Mali made his first-grade debut in the Round 15 match in Rockhampton against the Capras. He showed more than enough to suggest there are big things ahead for him.
Trai Fuller, 25
Position: Fullback
Height: 170cm
Weight: 79.kg
Favourite workout tune: none
Favourite post-game meal: KFC
Worst training drill: 1.2km time trial
Sporting hero: Matty Bowen
Background: Already a crowd favourite with Dolphins fans, Trai completed an NRL preseason with the Warriors and is in career-best shape. Two tries in the 2018 Grand Final and a man of the match performance means Trai can deliver when it counts. Very fast and tough.
