CQ Capras, Dolphins clash in pre-season trial in Gladstone

Thousands flocked to Gladstone’s Marley Brown Oval to watch the Capras take on the newest NRL club in their first game. Read about it here.

The CQ Capras played the Dolphins in their first pre-season trial of 2023 at Gladstone's Marley Brown Oval. Photo: Luke Fletcher

The CQ Capras have plenty to work on but there were a lot of positive signs in their historic pre-season trial against the Dolphins.

That was the summation of head coach Lionel Harbin after his team put in a determined showing in their 24-8 loss to the NRL’s newest team on Saturday night.

More than 4000 footy fans flocked to Gladstone’s Marley Brown Oval for the game, the first played by the Dolphins.

Harbin said it was a “pretty good hitout” for the first game of the year for his players.

Five-eighth Aaron Moore was one of the CQ Capras' best in their pre-season trial against the Dolphins in Gladstone. Photo Luke Fletcher

It was a high-intensity game and some of his younger squad members really rose to the challenge.

“One of the most pleasing things was our ability to stay in the game, which is a good sign,” he said.

“They (the Dolphins) got out to an early lead in the first quarter but we composed ourselves and for the final three quarters it was two tries apiece.”

Aaron Moore, who has returned to his old stamping ground to join the Capras this season, was one of their best playing at five-eighth.

The under-21 trio of Thallon Peters (lock and backrow), Mitch Leard-Lamont (lock) and Larson Dale Doyle also impressed.

Larson Dale-Doyle put in a strong performance for the CQ Capras' in Saturday’s pre-season trial against the Dolphins. Photo Luke Fletcher

Three Capras’ players - Tyler Szepanowski, Lachlan Hubner and Kurt Donoghue - who have been on train and trial with the Dolphins turned out for them on Saturday.

Bailey Butler, who also did the pre-season with the Dolphins, did not play in the trial after he was selected for the Indigenous All Stars who will play the Maori All Stars in New Zealand on Saturday.

Harbin was able to identify several areas which his players needed to work on in preparation for their second trial against arch-rivals the Mackay Cutters in Mackay this Saturday.

“I think defensively we got a bit loose in tackles and attack-wise we were a bit clunky at times but a lot of that is to be expected,” he said.

“Round 1 is still five weeks away so we just need to continue working on those things in the trials and at training so we’re ready to go then.”