Three stats to fix: Dolphins

The Dolphins have one trial and two Pre-Season Challenge matches together and will be working hard to address some stats areas before their first match against the Roosters in Round 1.

NRL.com identifies three areas the Dolphins need to get right in order to make an impact in their inaugural season.

Who will be the metre eater?

Before a ball was even kicked, there was plenty of discussion about the forward pack coach Wayne Bennett assembled to lead the Dolphins, with the supercoach putting his focus on experience rather than looking to the future.

While their game knowledge is not in question, Bennett will be wanting more from his pack, judging from what he would have seen from his side's three pre-season matches.

In particular, their output in their Round 2 Pre-Season Challenge loss against the Gold Coast, where they were put on the back foot early against a hard-running Titans pack, would be a cause for concern. 

Last season, no Dolphins forward was in the NRL's top 30 for most metres gained on average per game. However, former Cowboy Tom Gilbert was the best recruit after averaging 106 metres per game from 22 appearances. 

In the match against the Titans, Gilbert made 41 metres from four runs, with Jarrod Wallace the only Dolphins forward to crack 100 metres in the game, making 105 from 11 runs.

Most NRL teams have pack leaders who can generate over 150 metres with ease so the Dolphins will need someone to take them forward.

Edge defence on notice

Captain Jesse Bromwich called out his team's defence following their latest Pre-season Challenge loss, calling it "pretty leaky at times", especially down their right edge.

Looking very much like the team who were playing their first game together, the Dolphins got off to a rough start in the game, conceding three tries in the opening 11 minutes. 

Even before the match however, there were defensive areas the competition's newest team had to address. 

Dolphins trio Euan Aitken, Felise Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich in particular had a total of 30 break causes conceded last year through poor reads at their old clubs.

Aitken spent most his time at the Warriors in the backrow, but is likely to return to the centres under Bennett.

Kaufusi and Bromwich will want to tighten their defensive structures up alongside halves Anthony Milford and Sean O'Sullivan.

Yardage from the boot

Still on Milford and O'Sullivan, both averaged more than 300 and 350 metres respectively in 2022, but at least one will have to find another 100 on average to join the likes of Nathan Cleary, Daly Cherry-Evans and Matt Burton.

O'Sullivan looks most likely to take on further kicking responsibilities at the Dolphins and will want to be finding space to take the heat off his team.

Both players struggled early with their general kicking game last week with Milford unable to grasp the strength of the wind at Kayo Stadium and kicking out on the full, while O'Sullivan on one occasion missed the ball completely, allowing David Fifita to pick up a loose ball, run down field and set up another Titans try.

Milford and Isaiya Katoa both kicked over 100 metres, while Kodi Nikorima also chimed in with two kicks.

Youngster Kurt Donoghue also let off one grubber kick, but the fact prop Jarrod Wallace also saw fit to try and get one through the defence means the Dolphins still have some work to do to get organised in attack and to put on pressure with their kicking game.