It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
After posting two back-to-back losses in disappointing fashion, the Dolphins are aiming to revive their sinking finals hopes when they face the Eels, but will also have to defy their poor away game record.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf admitted their away record had been an issue for the club since their introduction into the competition in 2023, with the side having had extremely limited success on the road in that time.
“It’s been an issue for us the first two-and-a-half-years to be fair,” Woolf said.
“We have only won three games outside of Queensland. It is something we need to be better at.
“It is something we have previously tried to tinker with our preparation to accommodate as well.
“If I look at how we’ve put the week together and what we have shown in terms of effort our main session on Monday, and I’ve really liked what I’ve seen today (at captain’s run).
“If I had the answer to (why the away wins have been hard to come by) I would have fixed it by now.
“It’s probably a number if things, but we have made a few adjustments and I’d like to think that is going to help us.”
It’s something the players are well aware of as well, with veteran forward Felise Kaufusi saying it was something the squad were keen to address.
"Every game is (important), but it has been touched on those games playing away,” Kaufusi said.
“That is something we will have to put a bit more emphasis on.
"It starts this week. All over the park and defensively (we need to improve) obviously.
"Leaking (76) points in the last two weeks isn’t great, and I think it is up to yourself as an individual to get that right.
"I am sure we have all had a good hard look at each other and are ready to make up for it this week."
Kaufusi’s inclusion on the team sheet is a welcomed return for a Dolphins side who have been struck hard in recent weeks by blows, particularly in the forwards.
Tom Flegler is likely to remained sidelined until next season at the earliest, while key performers Max Plath – who has undergone surgery on his foot – and Jeremy Marshall-King are out for extended periods. While Marshall-King returned to action in last week’s loss to the Roosters, he unfortunately re-aggravated the large laceration on his leg, with Woolf saying it was “a major gash” that would take time to heal properly.
"I just want to play some footy,” Kaufusi said of his return to the side.
“It has been tough watching the last two weeks, but injuries happen.”
It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
Hammer Time in Magic Round
While this week’s opponents Parramatta lost last week, they have being playing much better football and will present more than a challenge for the Dolphins who desperate to turn their recent results around so they can push to feature in their first ever finals series.
“This is a tough and important game of footy for us,” Woolf said.
“We know we are going to have to be at our best because they are a dangerous side.
“If you’ve watched their last couple of performances they have certainly shown that.
“We have certainly got to get some wins if we are going to play finals. “Where they come doesn’t really matter.
"People didn’t think we were going to beat Penrith or Melbourne. It’s about our preparation and what we bring.
“Traditionally you need to win half your games. It’s close this year and everyone is beating everyone so it might be a bit lower or higher.
“We just need to continue our line of thinking of one game at a time.”
Match: Eels v Dolphins
Round 10 -
home Team
Eels
17th Position
away Team
Dolphins
13th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
