Rabbitohs v Dolphins preview

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Dolphins Friday 8:05pm at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Master v Apprentice as Woolf and Bennett go head-to-head

It's the rivalry game that had to be the main attraction of the Friday Night Football double header as the Dolphins under new mentor Kristian Woolf take on the Rabbitohs and their new head coach Wayne Bennett from CommBank Stadium.

South East Queensland is bracing itself for Tropical Cyclone Alfred which is expected to make landfall on Thursday. As a result the game has been moved to Parramatta with the reverse fixture moving to QLD later in the season. 

Away from the weather, the Dolphins enter 2025 under new coach Kristian Woolf. Woolf has an impressive resume from his time in the Super League with St Helens as well as his work in transforming Tonga as one of the powerhouse nations in international rugby league. He has also had his fingerprints all over the foundation work at the Dolphins since his 2023 arrival.  

His first test comes up against his master and mentor Wayne Bennett. The Dolphins have been talked down about to come into the season, as most sides struggle from the post Bennett decline. But their exciting array of outside backs and improvement across several key positions has the Dolphins primed for a rise up the NRL ladder. 

Onto the team cards. Tom Gilbert returns following an ACL injury at lock, this shifts last year's revelation Max Plath onto the edge alongside new recruit Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Felise Kaufusi and new signing Daniel Saifiti form a 1-2 punch in the middle alongside hooker Jeremy Marshall-King. Kodi Nikorima rejoins Isaiya Katoa in the halves with Jake Averillo covering the centre spot vacated by Bostock. Kurt Donoghoe is on the bench as the utility.

Now onto South Sydney, the Bunnies had a season from hell last year, finishing in second last position on the NRL ladder. Throw in a bunch of injuries to their stars and the removal of their head coach after eight rounds of the season and you get a season that belongs in the scrapheap. 

That being said, Wayne Bennett's return brings a renewed sense of optimism at South Sydney, even before Latrell and Cam Murray went down with injuries. The big question this year is half-back, Lewis Dodd's suspension opens the door for Jamie Humphries to stamp his claims for the rest of the season. After the UK import's unappealing trial form, the spot is clearly Humphries' to lose.  Their pack needs to lift from last season and faces an almighty opening round test.

Onto team news, Campbell Graham has overcome a hand injury to return while prop Junior Tatola is also good to go. Jye Gray will wear the No.1 jersey in Mitchell's absence, with Isaiah Taas and Tyrone Munro on the wings. Jamie Humphreys teams with skipper Cody Walker (who has battled injuries in the pre-season) in the halves while Peter Mamouzelos is the hooker. Former Dolphin Lachlan Hubner makes his club debut at lock and ex-Tiger Jayden Sullivan has won a bench spot alongside Tallis Duncan, Siliva Havili and Tatola.

Last meeting: Round 19 2024 - Dolphins 36 Rabbitohs 28

Who to watch: How will Tom Gilbert fare in his return to football after nearly 12 months away from the game. That is the question that the Dolphins fans hope is answered from the opening kick-off. Gilbert is a QLD rep and a feared forward in our game. His effort plays and hard work made him a clear choice to be Dolphins captain. Look for the new skipper to lead by example and guide the Dolphins to an opening night victory.

Now most people would expect me to go with Jamie Humphries but it's going to be Campbell Graham. Now, Graham too has been out of the game for 12 months following his sternum injury that threatened his career. He is a strong, determined runner and one of the better defensive centres the game has. He has been on the cusp of Origin for so long now, if he leads Souths out of the doldrums despite the pressure, he may be too good for Laurie Daley to pass up.

Favourite: The Dolphins open up as slight favourites heading into this one. 

My tip: Despite TC Alfred looming large on this fixture. The tip will be made as if the game is going ahead, so please bare that in mind. Conditions will be a tiny bit awkward still in Sydney, handling will be key and if last year taught us much, Souths struggled without a leader. It will be a similar case in this one. The Dolphins have too many leaders and the strike that Souths do not have due to injuries. Dolphins by 18.

1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 20. Sean O'Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Ray Stone 19. Josh Kerr 23. Oryn Keeley 22. Max Feagai

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Nick Pelgrave; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;