Woolf: ‘We’re a tougher group’

Dolphins NRL Head Coach Kristian Woolf says his side is tougher than they were in their first two seasons, when they fell away at the business-end of the season.

The Dolphins face the next test of their mettle against the Roosters tomorrow at Suncorp Stadium (5.30pm kick off).

“I think we’re a tougher group (than the past two seasons). I think we’ve shown that throughout the course of the season,” Woolf says.

“Any disruption, any challenge … one thing the group’s done is hung in and not let each other down. That’s what I think will serve us well for the rest of the year.

“We’ve had a lot of changes throughout the group and a lot of young guys who weren’t a big part of the team last year that have emerged and become a big part of the team. Isaiya (Katoa) is one of those, Kurt Donoghoe … but there’s plenty of others as well.”

The team will be without Herbie Farnworth (hamstring) and Felise Kaufusi (suspension), as well as Daniel Saifiti (shoulder), Tom Gilbert (shoulder) Max Plath (ACL), Jack Bostock (ACL) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder). That’s seven of their top 30 squad.

In good news for the side, Jamayne Isaako is expected to play in the round 23 clash against the Roosters despite aggravating a groin strain last round.

“(I’m) very confident (he will play). We wouldn’t put him out there if we weren’t confident. We’ve looked after him a little bit throughout the week,” Woolf says.

“He’s right to go. He was very brave (last game. He stayed out there. We had other injuries, we had other things going on … disruption all over the field … but he stayed out there and did a really good job. He was good enough to finish that try as well.”

Tough contest

The Dolphins and Roosters will be fighting for a top-eight spot on the NRL ladder this week as they honour the late Arthur Beetson during Indigenous round. The Dolphins are eighth and the Roosters are ninth.

“It’s a very significant game. If you look at where both teams sit … we’re very aware of the importance there but also what we’re playing for in terms of the Arthur Beetson medal and the significance that he had in both clubs, particularly ours … being able to do that in Indigenous round,” Woolf says.

“It’s a very special round, a very important round, it’s a great opportunity for us to recognise people like Arthur Beetson but also … the players that we have playing for us. Guys like Hammer, Josh Kerr, James Walsh, Trai Fuller … what they the bring to our team ... the wonderful players they are and the wonderful people that they are as well.”

The game will be a tight tussle with some intriguing match-ups for fans - Isaiya Katoa Vs Sam Walker and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Vs James Tedesco.

Woolf says while it’s difficult to predict what the two Roosters stars will do on the field, the Dolphins’ work ethic and never-say-die attitude can be the difference.

“We can outcompete, and we can make sure that we get numbers in the picture, and we can make sure that we work really hard to get the ball back, no matter what,” he says.

And there are plenty of points in his side, even without Farnworth.

“We look at the next bloke who can find those things (opportunities). Jake Averillo’s a player himself who’s been a great form. We’ve got the two halves together that we play our best with … our (No.) 9, 6, 7, 1 is the strongest it can be. Those guys will find you points as well,” he explains.

“We know we lose a lot with Herbie. Herbie’s a terrific player, he’s certainly one of our best and one of our highest-profile for that reason. As we have with other players in other positions, I have every confidence that other guys are going to step up and take a bit more responsibility and show us what they can bring to the table.”

Flegler’s recovery

Woolf says the signs are positive for Flegler’s recovery from a complex shoulder nerve injury.

At this stage, the plan is for him to take part in preseason training with the rest of the squad on a modified program before building full-contact training close to Christmas with the aim for him to play in trial games ahead of the 2026 season.

“He’s certainly not out of the woods, there’s a fair bit to go,” Woolf says.

While there is still uncertainty, he says it’s good news to have steps and goals to follow, with a timeline around them, and he’s confident they can “make it work”.

“The week he (Flegler) got that news, there was a real spring in his step. You can see there’s a bit of a determination about him now to make it work,” Woolf says.

“He’s a tough guy and he’s a very determined guy … just being able to give him a little bit of a goal and a little bit of an end-date … you can see how excited he is about that.”

Special game for Kerr

In the same week it was announced Dolphins junior Josh Kerr will leave the club at the end of the season to return to the Dragons, fans will have the chance to celebrate his contribution during a game that means much to him.

“We’d love to keep Josh Kerr here longer. We really value what Josh brings, he’s a great character, he’s someone who makes the place fun, he’s always got a smile on his face, he’s always making people laugh, he’s always laughing at himself,” Woolf says.

“We also love what he brings on the field and I’m looking forward to him bringing that tomorrow night. I know tomorrow night (Indigenous round) is special to him.”

Tickets to the game are still available. Woolf would love to see plenty of fans there to honour Arthur Beetson and the current crop of Indigenous players.

“We’d love a big home crowd. It’s a big game, it’s a big game for our club … I know it’s important to the Roosters as well,” he says.

“The bigger the crowd, the bigger the atmosphere and the more important it feels.”