By Nick Wright
Revelling in the Suncorp Stadium sheds after his Dolphins’ heroics, Jake Averillo admitted a long-term future in the halves was on the cards for him amid the impending arrival of Selwyn Cobbo.
Averillo has proven a “Mr Fix It” for Redcliffe coach Kristian Woolf, having covered four positions in the past five weeks to help address one of the worst injury tolls a side has experienced in the past decade.
A third of the club’s top 30 roster are sidelined, with Averillo previously shifting from his customary role in the centres to the wing in the absence of Jack Bostock (ACL).
Jake Averillo of the Dolphins celebrates after scoring a try.Credit: Getty Images
He also moved to fullback while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was away on State of Origin duties, but his performance at five-eighth in the Dolphins’ 43-24 triumph of the North Queensland Cowboys on Thursday was an indicator of how his career could unfold.
While Sean O’Sullivan initially filled the void left by star No.6 Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) in last week’s loss to Cronulla, Averillo’s speed and instinctive play was preferred for Thursday night.
The shift inspired an effective combination with edge forward Connelly Lemuelu, who finished with 274 running metres, two try assists and a pair of linebreaks.
“Within our four walls we all know how good Conns [Lemuelu] can be,” Averillo said.
“Obviously game time and his fitness will help him a lot because as you could see out there, some of the things he can do are pretty special.”
Averillo scored two tries and ran for 197 metres.
“Over the preseason Jake trained a fair bit at 6 as well, so it wasn’t a new combination that we haven’t ever tried before,” Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa said.
“The way he plays with his eyes and the confidence he has on the back of his running game and the space he can create for guys like Hammer [Tabuai-Fidow] and Herbie [Farnworth] on the outside … he’s been awesome.”
While Bostock will not make his comeback until at least mid-next season, how Averillo fares in the No.6 jumper before Nikorima’s expected return in round 24 could have huge repercussions for their long-term futures.
Both come off contract at the end of 2026, and while Cobbo – who has started across the backline – has only been signed for one year, Woolf did not rule out attempting to retain his services beyond that.
Nikorima had built his career on versatility, having been shackled with the mantle of utility until cementing the Dolphins’ five-eighth job for the past two seasons where he has forged a lethal combination with Katoa.
Together, they have orchestrated one of the NRL’s most potent attacks – currently leading the competition for points scored despite beginning the 2025 campaign with four-straight defeats.
But the New Zealand international will be 32 by the time his deal expires, and the launch of the Perth Bears in 2027 presents a lucrative option.
Averillo, still just 24, now has the chance to announce himself as a mainstay alongside Katoa.
“It’s definitely a possibility, wherever Woolfy wants me to play and whatever is best for the team I’ll play,” Averillo said.
“I played most of my juniors at five-eighth, so it comes a bit more naturally. I just like to play to my strengths wherever I am playing, and it seems to be working well.”