Plath’s on a mission to improve

Max Plath has already spoken to Dolphins NRL Head Coach Kristian Woolf about how to avoid a form slump after cleaning up at the club’s 2024 awards night and enjoying a breakthrough season in the NRL.

It’s a reflection of the type of person the 23-year-old is and the player he wants to be.

Despite being named the Arthur Beetson Medal winner for Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, and Players’ Player of the Year, he’s determined to improve and learn from his more experienced teammates.

“I had a chat with Woolfie after the season finished … you hear a lot about players with that second-year syndrome … they take it a bit easier or lay off the pedal a little bit,” Plath says.

“I’m trying to make a conscious effort not to do that and keep trying to work on my fitness and all the hard stuff in the game … keep trying to strive to get better and better.”

His humility, work ethic and desire to compete have served him well so far.

“I’m not the fastest or the most skillful or strongest player, so I need to have some sort of edge … if that can be it …

“I need to make sure I’m leaning in and being the best I possibly can. I know what my strengths are and my weaknesses are, so I try to stick to keep working on my strengths and trying to get my weaknesses up as well.”

He stepped up for the Dolphins after Tom Gilbert suffered a season-ending ACL injury during a trial game before the 2024 season began, making the lock position his for the year, but is ready to slot in wherever the coach wants him when Gilbert makes his return in 2025.

“Tommy Gilbert’s best position is probably lock … I’m happy to play wherever is best for the team,” Plath says.

“I’m lucky I can play a couple of positions. Hopefully, Woolfie puts some faith in me to be in that 17 somewhere. I’m happy to play anywhere if we have a stronger team.”

There’s no doubt the two natural competitors, with a shared reputation for working hard, will benefit from the ‘battle’ for the No.13 jersey.

“We’ll compete. I’m sure we’ll compete as hard as we can and whatever happens, happens. I think it’s healthy for both of us to keep pushing each other. He’s a really quality lock, so it can only be good for both of us.

“The previous preseason, just passed, Gilbert got the best out of me. I’m kind of missing not having him out there right now but he’ll be back very soon (to full training).

“He’s progressing really well with his knee. I think we’ll get the best out of each other. I’m looking forward to playing with him. He works really hard, does his job … he’s an Origin player, he’s top of the game in that sort of position.”

Building versatility

Plath sees versatility as key to staying in the starting side and is keen to develop his skills as hooker.

“I think that’s my next evolution as a player to be a bit more skillful at hooker. Lucky enough, I’ve grown up playing in the halves. Playing at lock, ball playing, comes a little bit easier to me. I’ve done a lot of reps there,” he explains.

“I think now, it’s more getting reps at hooker and trying to develop my game to that next level of being a really quality hooker and hopefully I can open myself up to more positions and be in the 17 all the time.”

He admires his teammate and Dolphins starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and is keen to learn what he can from him.

“Jeremy’s a world-class hooker. I’ve got so much respect for what he does for the team and what he adds. I’ve learnt so much from him already just in the little discreet parts of the game,” Plath says.

“Once again, he’s a really quality player and he needs to be in the team somewhere. We’ll see how we go in those positions.”

Plath is also relishing the chance to learn from the newest members of the coaching team Rory Kostjasyn and Ben Woolf.

“Ben Woolf is really good on the wrestle mats. He’s really technical and clear. Rory is really, really good. He’s got a good defensive structure that we’ve already bought into,” he says.

“Obviously led by Fiens (Nathan Fien) and Woolfie our Head Coach. Nothing too much has changed (since Wayne Bennett left), just a couple of different systems. It’s a really good crew of coaches there.”

“Woolfie has given us our coaching system from day one and, in that sense, nothing too much has changed. Woolfie’s a very tactical and technical coach with us, preparing for games and stuff. He’s been a big face in preparing for games, so I don’t think too much has changed at all.

“We’re making a big emphasis on working hard for each other. We want to get fitter and faster than last year. I feel like we’re all buying into it.

“We’re working really hard … the coaching staff have really stepped it up for us with a lot more emphasis on wrestling and defence and being fitter and showing a bit more strong body language. All those things go a long way in a game.”