Dolphins NRL: Young gun Bostock steps up

The injury-hit Dolphins will be looking for another strong performance when they take on the Knights at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off).

Young gun Jack Bostock, who was among those who led the charge against the Eels last week, says the extended squad is ready to step up.

Bostock scored three tries in his side’s 44-16 win over Parramatta, in hot and humid conditions in Darwin.

“It was a good feeling (the hat-trick) but that was ‘doing the work’ by the boys on the inside. I was just finishing it off. It was mainly the other boys setting them up,” Bostock said.

The Dolphins were without seven of their top players including Thomas Flegler who is unlikely to play again this week as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury. Also still out is Felise Kaufusi (hamstring), Herbie Farnworth (AC joint), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring), Tom Gilbert (ACL) and Connelly Lemuelu (knee).

Jamayne Isaako trained with the rehab group today, resting a ‘leg issue’ which forced him to hand over kicking duties to Kodi Nikorima during the game in Darwin. Jake Averillo was also seen stretching off to the side at training today with a heavily strapped leg.

Trai Fuller, who was outstanding against the Eels, is managing leg tightness but is expected to be fit for Sunday’s clash against the Knights.

Wayne’s back

In other good news, Super Coach Wayne Bennett has recovered from illness and looked fighting fit today.

“He’s alive and well. You know what he’s like, nothing can beat him. He was back in full spirit today,” Bostock said after training today.

“It was weird not having him there (in Darwin) but it definitely wasn’t weird in a bad way. It was probably weird in a good way for Woolfie. He got to be head coach probably a bit sooner than he thought. He did a good job.

“It was definitely different not having Wayne there … little smirk and what he brings to the table, what he says. He isn’t a big speaker to people outside of the footy club but to us boys in the sheds … to have him around, knowing what he’s done in the game and what he brings to our team, it was different not having him there, but Woolfie did a good job.”

Friday night’s performance was a good sign of things to come under Head Coach-in-waiting Kristian Woolf.

“That’s the style of footy that we like to play. Woolfie’s a big contributor to that. It definitely showed on the weekend that we’re ready to play when Woolfie takes over next year,” Bostock said.

“It was really good playing up in Darwin. We had a fair few fans up there, so it was good fun playing up there. It was definitely hot and humid but everyone had to play in it … it was a different experience but it was a good one.”

Taking on the Knights

Bostock says the Dolphins are at no risk of being complacent as they prepare for the Knights minus injured Kalyn Ponga.

“They’re a great side, Newcastle. It will be good to have a game back at home at Suncorp in front of our fans and hopefully put on another great performance. We definitely won’t be taking them lightly without Kalyn Ponga,” he said.

As the Dolphins manage their own casualty ward, Bostock says the squad is in a good position to deal with the challenge.

“The team’s a lot more than the 17 players that are out there each week. It’s all 30-odd that you have in your squad. Just like Trai Fuller did on the weekend, he stepped up, he was next man up and he killed it for us.

“He’s a little weapon, Trai boy. He’s a rubber ball out there, no-one can hold onto him, he’s bouncing around everywhere. We’re very lucky to have him here. He’s a great replacement.

“Just having a lot of boys who are doing that for our club is obviously going to help us out … when people are injured, just knowing that next person’s ready to go and take over and it feels like no-one’s left (us).”

Training photo gallery (click through)