Capras Larson Dale-Doyle, Cooper Marshall on train and trial with Dolphins

See which Capras players are looking to break into the NRL club’s ranks, starting with a pre-season trial game in Gladstone in February.

The Dolphins will play a pre-season trial against the CQ Capras in Gladstone in February 2025.

Two CQ Capras players have a good chance of donning a Dolphins’ jersey in a pre-season trial against their Q-Cup club.

The Capras and Dolphins will face-off at Gladstone’s Marley Brown Oval on February 8.

The game is significant given the two teams meet in the city which hosted the Dolphins first-ever trial in 2023, the year they entered the NRL.

Rivals on-field, the two clubs are fully affiliated in a partnership designed to offer a direct pathway for Central Queensland talent to the NRL.

Two current Capras players are ready to head down that road.

Larson Dale-Doyle. Photo Luke Fletcher

Back rower Larson Dale-Doyle and outside back Cooper Marshall are currently on train and trial with the NRL club and are likely starters in February’s game.

They will be keen to press their selection claims, just as teammate Lachlan Hubner did this season.

After spending the pre-season with the Dolphins and playing in a pre-season trial, he made his NRL debut with them in Round 6 and went on to make three more appearances in Rounds 23, 24 and 26.

Dolphins’ assistant coach Nathan Fien has liked what he’s seen from Dale-Doyle and Marshall.

“The boys that have joined us for the pre-season from the Capras have certainly been putting in at training and have shown some improvement,” he said.

Lachlan Hubner played four NRL games for the Dolphins in 2024.

“If they continue on in that manner, they will give themselves the best possible chance of impressing at the trial game in Gladstone.”

Capras’ head coach Lionel Harbin provided a similar analysis after spending a few days at the Dolphins.

“They were training really well and they’re extremely fit,” he said.

“It’s good to see them get rewarded for all their efforts.”

Harbin said seeing the Capras duo mixing it with the Dolphins’ recruits reinforced the importance of the partnership between the clubs.

“Ever since we announced the agreement, the Dolphins have had a big presence and been a big part of our club,” he said.

Cooper Marshall. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“To see Larson and Cooper get this opportunity, as well as the guys who have come before them and the guys who will come next, is really exciting.”

Harbin said February’s trial, the third played between the two clubs, would be a good challenge for the Capras and provide a good gauge ahead of the 2025 season.

The squad wrapped up their first block of pre-season training on December 20 and will return on January 6.

“We really wanted them to work hard and compete at every session we’ve had and I think they’ve done that,” Harbin said.

“We’ll get back after the New Year and have a look at things there.

“We’ll have another five weeks before our pre-season trials start and with a few spots still up for grabs, players will have the opportunity to stake their claims in those trials.”

Originally published as Capras Larson Dale-Doyle, Cooper Marshall on train and trial with Dolphins