NRL 2024: Dolphins v Cowboys, SuperCoach winners and losers from Dolphins’ injury crisis
It’s only round one but the Dolphins’ forward pack is already back to bare bones after copping cruel triple injury news – but there are big SuperCoach winners.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Cowboys absolutely hammered the Dolphins 43-18 but the big SuperCoach news was a triple injury blow for Wayne Bennett’s side.
Connelly Lemuelu is set to be out long-term with a dislocated knee cap, while news emerged during the game that Tom Gilbert’s ACL surgery has been delayed by three months due to a blood clot in his calf.
Ray Stone was also taken from the field for a concussion test and didn’t have time to return.
Of course, while it’s never classy to revel in injury, SuperCoaches are looking at the doors set to be opened by these injuries.
Cheapies option Max Plath, owned by none other than Rob Sutherland, was the biggest in-game winner, notching far more game time than expected with 45 minutes and 35 points.
But the winner next week could well be Stone, provided he is cleared of concussion.
Stone played just 41 minutes due to the head knock but scored at almost a point a minute for 38 points. This included 33 tackles – a remarkable total in limited game time.
Stone sits at a tempting mid-range price of $421,600 and has dual positioning between hooker and back row.
He could realistically expect 60 minutes next week in a depleted pack.
LOSERS
* The Cowboys put on an attacking masterclass with 43 points so you’d expect fullback ace Scott Drinkwater (46) to be at the centre of much of it. However, Drinky failed to notch a big attacking stat as teammates starred around him.
* Jason Taumalolo (19) was backed in by many as a great mid-ranger following the season-ending injury to Coen Hess (ACL), which theoretically created more minutes for Lolo. But the Cowboys simply didn’t need him as their forward pack ran riot. Played only 21 minutes.
No caption necessary.#NRLDolphinsCowboyspic.twitter.com/zNwN8130gz
— SuperCoach Brain (@SC_Brain) March 10, 2024
WINNERS
We could list a bunch of Cowboys here given the lopsided scoreline but we’ll stick to the SuperCoach-relevant ones.
* Valentine Holmes (103) could be the CTW gun that got away. Despite being a noted stud, Holmes is owned by under 10 per cent as SuperCoaches look to load up on other positions early. 28 points in goals provided a great base.
* Zac Laybutt (101) is an absolute beast. Unfortunately he started well above cheapie price after some great showings last season.
* Heilum Luki (64) was heavily backed by SuperCoaches following Luciano Leilua’s move to the Dragons and the young gun duly delivered. Played 59 minutes including a try.
* Those chasing guns at CTW generally backed just one man. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (72) started in almost 20 per cent of teams and while his Dolphins were dominated, Hammer produced some signature flashes of brilliance with a try assist, two linebreaks and a massive 10 tackle busts.
* Popular cheapie Jack Bostock (38) was looking like a failure going into the final moments but saved his score with a late try. Given base stats are an issue for the former Dragon, we’ll take his 38 points in a well-beaten side.
5.49PM: GAME OVER FOR STONE
Ray Stone has come off for a concussion test.
And while it doesn’t look too serious, his day is over given there won’t be enough time for him to re-enter the game.
It’s the third piece of bad injury news to hit the Dolphins’ pack today with Connelly Lemuelu suffering a dislocated knee cap and revelations Tom Gilbert’s ACL surgery has been delayed by three months due to a blood clot in his calf.
5.39PM: CHEAPIE FALLS FLAT
We told you Jack Bostock’s base stats were a worry.
And unfortunately the prediction has come true.
Bostock is one of the most popular cheapies in the game but currently sits on just 13 points with 17 minutes to go.
UPDATE: Bostock just conceded a penalty try.
UPDATE 2: Bostock just scored in junk time and saved his score!
5.27PM: DOES INJURY BLOW OPEN DOOR FOR CHEAPIE?
Confirmation has come from the Dolphins that Connelly Lemuelu has suffered a dislocated knee cap.
Sounds quite serious.
The injury could open up big game time for POD Max Plath, in the short term at least.
A blunder from the Hammer sets the Cowboys up for their sixth try.
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 10, 2024
📺 Watch #NRLDolphinsCowboys on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/B1ijnGXtqA
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/Lx7fWZWt1t
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/csZ7VDZEa0pic.twitter.com/cnoXeRvGXK
5.19PM: SUPERCOACH STUD CROSSES FOR A TRY
Our man Heilum Luki is in for a try!
Luki was heavily backed by SuperCoaches following the exit of Luciano Leilua, which virtually guaranteed Luki big minutes on the edge for the Cowboys.
And he’s backed up the faith of SuperCoaches with a try in the 47th minute.
It’s an absolute massacre here with the Cowboys leading the Dolphins 37-12.
It’s game over in terms of the actual result, but SuperCoaches are hoping for more big attacking stats from popular players Luki and Reuben Cotter.
5.08PM: DOUBLE INJURY BLOW FOR DOLPHINS
Injury alert! Make that a double injury alert.
Dolphins backrower Connelly Lemuelu has suffered a knee injury and has left the field.
“Looks like that knee is no good. He’ll be assessed at half time,” said Corey Parker in commentary for Fox League.
Parker also revealed that Origin forward Tom Gilbert has had a major setback in his recovery from an ACL injury.
He suffered a blood clot in his calf while flying that has delayed his surgery by three months.
UPDATE: Lemuelu has suffered a dislocated knee cap
4.51PM: LAYBUTT THE CHEAPIE THAT GOT AWAY
Young North Queensland centre Zac Laybutt is on fire, having a hand in two tries in the first half as the Cowboys surge to a 24-6 lead.
Laybutt was in a ding dong battle for the centre spot vacated by Peta Hiku during pre-season, with recruit Viliami Vailea from the Warriors also in the running.
But Laybutt won out and he’s now sitting on 68 SuperCoach points with a try, try assist and two linebreaks.
Unfortunately he started well above cheapie price after some great showings last year.
“It doesn’t get much better than that,” said Brandy Alexander in commentary.
"The Cowboys firing bullets into the Dolphins."
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 10, 2024
Cowboys have started strong in this opening half!
📺 Watch #NRLDolphinsCowboys on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/B1ijnGXtqA
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/Lx7fWZWt1t
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/csZ7VDZEa0pic.twitter.com/KWXM4xFDl4
4.40PM: BIG SUPERCOACH NEWS AMID MOSES, JAC NEWS
It’s not today’s game but there’s some massive SuperCoach news in this story.
Mitchell Moses (groin) and Josh Addo-Carr (shoulder) have been cleared of serious injury but both are racing the clock for next week.
We’ve uncovered the contingency plans of both clubs and there is some Big SuperCoach news.
Top pre-season cheapie Bronson Xerri is in line for a club debut at the Dogs following the injury to Addo-Carr.
While a host of young guns and cheapies are in the frame for Parra.
4.27PM: FLEGLER SCORES ON DOLPHINS’ DEBUT
Popular SuperCoach prop Thomas Flegler has got his Dolphins career off to the best possible start with a try against the Cowboys.
It’s now 6-all at Suncorp Stadium after young gun Zac Laybutt opened the scoring for the Cowboys.
Origin star Flegler was a key recruit for the Dolphins from Brisbane rivals the Broncos.
It was just the fifth try of Flegler’s 97-game career.
Flegler on debut for the Dolphins! 🔥
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 10, 2024
📺 Watch #NRLDolphinsCowboys on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/B1ijnGXtqA
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/Lx7fWZWt1t
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/csZ7VDZEa0pic.twitter.com/6y0cfmgE4h
3.12PM: CHEAPIE SCORES 18TH MAN ROLE
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has dangled a carrot for SuperCoaches by naming cheapie option Thomas Mikaele 18th man.
Boom prop Mikaele was extremely popular going into teams day with many hoping he’d score the bench spot of Coen Hess (ACL).
That didn’t happen with Mikaele named in jersey No. 19.
But he’s been promoted to 18th man duties on game day, showing he’s well and truly in the mix with as little as one injury in the pack.
The Cowboys and Dolphins are both are 1-17.
We have arrived! pic.twitter.com/91vlMq6mTx
— NQ Cowboys (@nthqldcowboys) March 10, 2024
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone
Interchange: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Max Plath 16. Kenny Bromwich 17. Mark Nicholls
18th man: 18. Jarrod Wallace 22. Isaiya Katoa
Cut: 19. Jake Averillo 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Euan Aitken
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter
Interchange: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
18th man: 19. Thomas Mikaele
Cut: 18. Tomas Chester 20. Semi Valemei 21. Jack Gosiewski 22. Jake Clifford
SUPERCOACHES SEEKING A SUNDAY MIRACLE
There may be just the solitary game this Sunday, but it comes loaded with SuperCoach importance.
On one wing at the Dolphins is the highly-owned cheapie Jack Bostock (30.7%) and lining up at fullback is Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow whose high ownership (18.9%) despite a hefty price tag ($600K) is in no small part due to his availability at CTW for SuperCoach.
At the Cowboys the majority of interest will be in the middle of the field with Reuben Cotter (29.8%), Heilum Luki (21.2%) and Jason Taumalolo (11%) all well on the radars of SuperCoaches.
Speaking of whom, you’re in for a treat with our very own guru Tom Sangster on deck to talk you through every moment that matters throughout the game.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2024: Dolphins v Cowboys, SuperCoach winners and losers from Dolphins’ injury crisis
$50K richer: SuperCoach champ’s first expense is shouting Kyle Flanagan
SuperCoach winner Blake Gentle is a groomsman at the wedding of Dragons five-eighth Kyle Flanagan and he knows exactly how he’ll have to spend the first part of his $50,000 winnings.
‘We’ve got to deliver’: No excuses as Sharks ready for finals charge
Craig Fitzgibbon knows few are giving his Sharks much hope in a week one NRL finals match-up with Melbourne, but the Cronulla coach is relishing the opportunity.