Felise Kaufusi urged to maintain his aggression for the Dolphins

The dilemma for the Dolphins is that they need Felise Kaufusi at his terrorising best – but they also need him on the field – can the enforcer avoid the eye of Big Brother while also delivering big hits?

Felise Kaufusi’s late shot on Hastings (L) cost him 10 minutes in the bin and weeks on the sideline.

Felise Kaufusi will return for the Dolphins facing a tricky tight rope walk to maintain his status as the hit man who rocked the NRL.

Kaufusi’s power tackles were key factors and massive talking points in the Dolphins opening three wins of the season before he copped a controversial four week ban for a late hit on Newcastle’s Jackson Hastings.

The Dolphins won only one game in his absence and are pleased to welcome him back for Sunday’s match against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium.

The question now is whether Big Brother will be consumed by his tactics and Kaufusi will be watched closely by match officials as most enforcers are.

Felise Kaufusi’s late shot on Hastings (L) cost him 10 minutes in the bin and weeks on the sideline.

Former NSW enforcer Mark Geyer told News Corp Kaufusi’s suspension was a sign his new reputation as the Dolphins king of crunch may have preceded him.

Wally Fullerton Smith, one of the Redcliffe Dolphins most famous power tacklers of the 1980s, has urged Kaufusi not to change his style but warned he must be wary of future indiscretions.

“I felt he was unlucky to cop that four weeks but you do have to be careful,’’ Fullerton Smith said.

“I don’t think he has to change his game but he does have to be careful. The team could have really done with him over the last four weeks. He has to keep his enforcer role but he has to get his timing right.

#BREAKING: Felise Kaufusi has been rubbed out of the @dolphinsnrl's blockbuster clash against the Broncos after his suspension for a late hit on Newcastle's Jackson Hastings was upheld.

Kaufusi will miss four games.@emmalawrence90#9Newspic.twitter.com/DvA50sMOYN

— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) March 21, 2023

“It can be hard for him when he is racing up to try and tackle the playmakers. You only have to be out by a minuscule margin and there is a problem.

“Halves these days run at different angles and get hit just as they release the ball. It’s tight.’’

Former State of Origin hooker Andrew McCullough believes Kaufusi should maintain his aggression and the Dolphins should be prepared to pay the occasional price.

“You can’t have it both ways,’’ McCullough said.

“If you are going to have the aggression there will be accidents and perhaps suspensions.

“Every club needs those sorts of guys and they will spend time on the sidelines but I would prefer they did that than pull back and play less aggressively because they are worried about being suspended.’’

Kaufusi will return against Titans powerhouse David Fifita in a duel which could decide one spot in the Queensland State of Origin squad.

Origin great Chris Close, who also played for Redcliffe, senses Kaufusi will hold nothing back despite his latest costly suspension.

“It can be tricky but he has a great record over his career,’’ Close said.

“I don’t think he will hold back. He will be busting to get back into the game. He has been amazing this year.

“I felt he had gone into a little comfort zone (at the Melbourne Storm) where he was not really extending himself but the Dolphins have given him the opportunity to do that. The Dolphins have benefited greatly from him.’’

Originally published as Felise Kaufusi urged to maintain his aggression for the Dolphins