'Our biggest challenge so far': Phins up for approaching Storm

A tough challenge has gotten even harder for the Dolphins in their Good Friday clash against the Storm, with hooker Jeremy Marshall-King ruled out after suffering a nasty laceration on his leg.

However, coach Kristian Woolf still has faith his side can continue their build and post their first ever win against Melbourne, but knew his team have a task on their hands to contain Melbourne’s strike weapons, including last year’s Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes, who has been named to start despite sitting out the second half of last Sunday’s win over the Warriors with a shoulder issue.

“Jahrome Hughes is probably the form player of the competition at the moment, he certainly was last year, so there’s a number of reason’s why they are good,” Woolf said.  

“We are expecting that he will play, they are not a club or team that plays games in that department.

“They have named him, they have named him for a reason, we are expecting he plays.”

With Marshall-King ruled out, Woolf has shuffled the line-up, with Fiji international Kurt Donoghoe to take on the majority of the hooking duties, with Max Plath – who filled in the role at the back end of last season – to share the role.

“Kurt's obviously done a great job in the starting rounds, I've been really happy with Kurt, he's getting better and better as a first grader and really starting to feel settled in that position,” Woolf said.

"He did a fair bit of work there through the pre-season too, so he'll play the majority of hooker.

“We like Plathy in that 13 sort of role where he offers us some ball play, but at some stage they are going to have to share.”

While the forwards will be raring to go, one of the match-up of the night will be between the two fullbacks, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow finding form in time to take on perpetual threat Ryan Papenhuyzen.

"It is going to be a great match-up,” Woolf said.

"They are two exciting players and they are both obviously important players for their teams too.

"Hopefully Hammer gets the better there and when Hammer is playing well we certainly play well as well.

“Papenhuyzen is a very good player and we have got to be really good at the things we were good at last week.

“I thought we held our nerve really well on our line a number of times, we were great with our kicking game and kick-chase. Those sorts of things are really important this week.

“Papenhuyzen is a really key player for them, but they have got so many key players and so many good players. This is our biggest challenge so far this year.

“It’s come a great time for us and it is a challenge we are ready for, but it’s going to be a big challenge and we are looking forward to it.”

The match will also be the 100th NRL game for former Storm under 20 squad member Josh Kerr, who forced his way back into the Dolphins line-up in Round 5 and has hit his straps.

“It is a great occasion for him. He is a great character to have in the team Josh and is one of those guys that is fun. He always has a smile on his face, he cracks jokes and is always making noise and talking. He is always having a laugh at himself and I really admire that side of him.

“It is great to see him play 100 games. He is a talented bloke and has certainly had his obstacles and hurdles he has had to overcome. It is great to see him get that opportunity for 100 games and I know he is excited. His family came in this morning and I know they are excited as well."

With the Dolphins playing an away game over the ANZAC Day weekend next round, their match against the Storm will also be the club’s opportunity to celebrate the veteran community, with veterans from multiple organisations attending the game and several taking part in the guard of honour, standing on the field to welcome players.

Dolphins partner Ausbuild are supporting the event, selecting This Story Australia – a not-for-profit that captures and preserves the stories of Australian servicemen and women – as the community partner for the match.