Plath knee injury takes Dolphins' pain to the max
The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury.
The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury.
The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion.
ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem.
Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history.
They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture.
Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought.
The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024.
It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020.
Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury.
The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games.
Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis.
"It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said.
"Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us.
"They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players.
"It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job."
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Plath knee injury takes Dolphins' pain to the max
The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury. The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem. Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history. They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture. Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought. The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024. It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020. Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury. The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games. Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis. "It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said. "Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us. "They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players. "It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job." The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury. The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem. Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history. They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture. Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought. The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024. It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020. Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury. The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games. Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis. "It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said. "Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us. "They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players. "It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job." The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury. The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem. Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history. They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture. Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought. The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024. It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020. Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury. The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games. Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis. "It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said. "Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us. "They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players. "It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job."
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Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up. "And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances." But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response. And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season. "Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night. "To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised. "I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology. "There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed." JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end. Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season. On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce. "For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month. Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights. However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped. He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong. In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres. Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth. However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly. Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17. Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury. Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League. O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026. "The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said. The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues. Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup. His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover. Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights. The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home. They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder. Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game. Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough. "I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up. "And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances." But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response. And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season. "Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night. "To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised. "I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology. "There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed." JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end. Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season. On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce. "For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month. Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights. However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped. He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong. In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres. Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth. However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly. Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17. Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury. Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League. O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026. "The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said. The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues. Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup. His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover. Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights. The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home. They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder. Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game. Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough. "I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up. "And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances." But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response. And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season. "Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night. "To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised. "I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology. "There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed." JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end. Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season. On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce. "For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month. Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights. However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped. He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong. In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres. Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth. However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly. Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17. Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury. Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League. O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026. "The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said. The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues. Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup. His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover. Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights. The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home. They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder. Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game. Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough. "I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up. "And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances." But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response. And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season. "Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night. "To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised. "I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology. "There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed."
