Star duo return for Dolphins, but Stone ruled out
Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal.
Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated.
"He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said.
"It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was.
"It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out.
"It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy.
"I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that."
Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought.
The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp.
"(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said.
"He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks.
"We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes.
"I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage.
"It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt."
The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight.
"We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said.
"I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge.
"(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook.
"They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game."
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7NEWS
6 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Scary scenes as two Dragons concussed in friendly fire during brave loss to Warriors
The Warriors have regained their place in the NRL's top four with a thrilling 14-10 comeback victory over a luckless and brave St George Illawarra outfit in Auckland. The Warriors recovered from a 10-point first-half deficit to snap an alarming three-game losing streak after the Dragons lost three forwards before the break in freakish scenes at GO Media Stadium. The Dragons had to activate 18th man Tyrell Sloan after back-rowers Hamish Stewart and Jack De Belin fell victim to some friendly fire, both ruled out with a category-one concussion after clashing heads trying to bring down Warriors enforcer James Fisher-Harris. Then interchange forward Hame Sele also failed a HIA following a 29th-minute head knock. Despite the setbacks, the Dragons enjoyed a 10-0 lead following an early tryscoring double from powerhouse centre Mathew Feagai. A four-pointer six minutes before the break to Chanel Harris-Tavita, after a skilful sideline offload from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, put the Warriors back in the contest. The Dragons overcame their reduced forward rotation to hold the Warriors at bay for much of the second half before the home team finally drew level at 10-10 with a 62nd-minute try to centre Adam Pompey. Pompey's second shortly after, when St George Illawarra's short-side defence fell for a clever dummy-half dummy from Taine Tuaupiki, gave the Warriors the lead for the first time with six minutes remaining. Coming off back-to-back wins over finals-bound Cronulla and Canberra, the Dragons had the chance to steal the match at the death and claim another big scalp but weren't able to cash in on a Sloan line break. Friday night's victory vaulted the Warriors above Penrith into fourth spot on the ladder after the New Zealanders' season threatened to unravel. The injury-hit Warriors could have slumped to as low as seventh by the end of the round. Instead, Andrew Webster's side extinguished the Dragons' slim finals hopes.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Tonga set to secure two of NRL's brightest young guns
Two of the NRL's brightest young stars are set to commit to Tonga, with Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima to boost the squad for this year's Pacific Cup. Both players have diverse backgrounds but have let Tonga coach Kristian Woolf know their intentions to make themselves available. "They have both indicated to me that is what they want to do," Woolf told AAP. "We have a fair squad we are going to have to trim down to 21 and they will be right in the reckoning." Toia, 21, is able to choose between Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. He has Tongan heritage, was born in Auckland and debuted for Queensland this year, starring in a 2-1 State of Origin series win after just 10 NRL games. Tonga will play Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby league internationals ever played in Australia. Woolf, also the Dolphins head coach, has a preliminary squad of around 36 players but Toia is a certainty to make the cut. "Robert is very proud of his Tongan heritage and the conversation was great because he has thought about it for a long while," Woolf said. "I have a had a chat to him and he has indicated it is something he'd love to do. "Rob has been exceptional this year and his footy has just got better and better. I've known about him for a long time and kept an interest. He is from this Redcliffe area and he tells me he has a few brothers playing juniors here as well." Halasima was born in Tofoa, Tonga before moving to New Zealand at a young age and playing his junior football with Mangere East Hawks. Such is his talent, the Warriors have signed the 19-year-old until the end of 2029. He has been a match-winner in a breakout year after previously representing Tonga A. Halasima and fellow Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga entered Tonga camp last year to gain a taste of elite international football when the team was in New Zealand for the Pacific Cup. "Leka has been great as well this year," Woolf said. "He and Demitric both came into camp last year and made their intentions really clear in terms of where they see their international future. "It has been great watching them develop. Leka has had such a big impact on games." Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also weighing up whether to make himself available for Tonga after making his international debut for the Woolf-coached side in 2019. He played against the Kiwis again for Tonga in 2022 before representing Australia in three Tests in 2023. "I can either play for Tonga or Australia," Staggs said. "I will see how I go for the rest of the season but my main focus is here and trying to win a grand final. Whatever comes after that. I will make a decision." Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to change his allegiance from the Kangaroos and represent Samoa for the first time. Other Kangaroos stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, also with Samoan heritage, are on the cusp of making a call to add to the build-up to the Tonga-Samoa showdown. Two of the NRL's brightest young stars are set to commit to Tonga, with Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima to boost the squad for this year's Pacific Cup. Both players have diverse backgrounds but have let Tonga coach Kristian Woolf know their intentions to make themselves available. "They have both indicated to me that is what they want to do," Woolf told AAP. "We have a fair squad we are going to have to trim down to 21 and they will be right in the reckoning." Toia, 21, is able to choose between Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. He has Tongan heritage, was born in Auckland and debuted for Queensland this year, starring in a 2-1 State of Origin series win after just 10 NRL games. Tonga will play Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby league internationals ever played in Australia. Woolf, also the Dolphins head coach, has a preliminary squad of around 36 players but Toia is a certainty to make the cut. "Robert is very proud of his Tongan heritage and the conversation was great because he has thought about it for a long while," Woolf said. "I have a had a chat to him and he has indicated it is something he'd love to do. "Rob has been exceptional this year and his footy has just got better and better. I've known about him for a long time and kept an interest. He is from this Redcliffe area and he tells me he has a few brothers playing juniors here as well." Halasima was born in Tofoa, Tonga before moving to New Zealand at a young age and playing his junior football with Mangere East Hawks. Such is his talent, the Warriors have signed the 19-year-old until the end of 2029. He has been a match-winner in a breakout year after previously representing Tonga A. Halasima and fellow Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga entered Tonga camp last year to gain a taste of elite international football when the team was in New Zealand for the Pacific Cup. "Leka has been great as well this year," Woolf said. "He and Demitric both came into camp last year and made their intentions really clear in terms of where they see their international future. "It has been great watching them develop. Leka has had such a big impact on games." Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also weighing up whether to make himself available for Tonga after making his international debut for the Woolf-coached side in 2019. He played against the Kiwis again for Tonga in 2022 before representing Australia in three Tests in 2023. "I can either play for Tonga or Australia," Staggs said. "I will see how I go for the rest of the season but my main focus is here and trying to win a grand final. Whatever comes after that. I will make a decision." Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to change his allegiance from the Kangaroos and represent Samoa for the first time. Other Kangaroos stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, also with Samoan heritage, are on the cusp of making a call to add to the build-up to the Tonga-Samoa showdown. Two of the NRL's brightest young stars are set to commit to Tonga, with Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia and Warriors back-rower Leka Halasima to boost the squad for this year's Pacific Cup. Both players have diverse backgrounds but have let Tonga coach Kristian Woolf know their intentions to make themselves available. "They have both indicated to me that is what they want to do," Woolf told AAP. "We have a fair squad we are going to have to trim down to 21 and they will be right in the reckoning." Toia, 21, is able to choose between Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. He has Tongan heritage, was born in Auckland and debuted for Queensland this year, starring in a 2-1 State of Origin series win after just 10 NRL games. Tonga will play Samoa at Suncorp Stadium on October 26 in one of the most eagerly anticipated rugby league internationals ever played in Australia. Woolf, also the Dolphins head coach, has a preliminary squad of around 36 players but Toia is a certainty to make the cut. "Robert is very proud of his Tongan heritage and the conversation was great because he has thought about it for a long while," Woolf said. "I have a had a chat to him and he has indicated it is something he'd love to do. "Rob has been exceptional this year and his footy has just got better and better. I've known about him for a long time and kept an interest. He is from this Redcliffe area and he tells me he has a few brothers playing juniors here as well." Halasima was born in Tofoa, Tonga before moving to New Zealand at a young age and playing his junior football with Mangere East Hawks. Such is his talent, the Warriors have signed the 19-year-old until the end of 2029. He has been a match-winner in a breakout year after previously representing Tonga A. Halasima and fellow Warriors forward Demitric Vaimauga entered Tonga camp last year to gain a taste of elite international football when the team was in New Zealand for the Pacific Cup. "Leka has been great as well this year," Woolf said. "He and Demitric both came into camp last year and made their intentions really clear in terms of where they see their international future. "It has been great watching them develop. Leka has had such a big impact on games." Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs is also weighing up whether to make himself available for Tonga after making his international debut for the Woolf-coached side in 2019. He played against the Kiwis again for Tonga in 2022 before representing Australia in three Tests in 2023. "I can either play for Tonga or Australia," Staggs said. "I will see how I go for the rest of the season but my main focus is here and trying to win a grand final. Whatever comes after that. I will make a decision." Broncos prop Payne Haas is set to change his allegiance from the Kangaroos and represent Samoa for the first time. Other Kangaroos stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, also with Samoan heritage, are on the cusp of making a call to add to the build-up to the Tonga-Samoa showdown.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Awful scenes' as three Dragons knocked out against the Warriors
St George Illawarra suffered an extraordinary level of carnage in the first half of their clash with the Warriors, with three players going off with nasty head knocks. Despite sitting 11th on the NRL ladder, the Dragons came out firing in Auckland, opening the scoring through Mathew Feagai in the 10th minute. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Just five minutes later, however, the visitors were two men down after Hamish Stewart and milestone man Jack de Belin clashed heads in a tackle gone horribly wrong. The two Dragons attempted to tackle rampaging Warrior James Fisher-Harris before colliding head on and getting knocked out instantly. Players raced to offer assistance before the trainers came out and assessed the pair, who were immediately ruled out of the game. Watch the incident in the video player above 'De Belin has a problem,' Warren Smith said on Fox League. 'In his milestone game, playing game No. 250. 'It looks like Hamish Stewart also has an issue. My goodness.' Greg Alexander then said: 'Oh no. Oh they're both in trouble. Oh dear. 'Oh this isn't good.' When a replay was shown, Smith added: 'Friendly fire. Their heads collide around the back of Fisher-Harris and just like that, the Dragons in all likelihood are going to be down two players. 'Two concussions means they can activate the 18th man but the 18th man tonight is Tyrell Sloan, the winger.' Stewart was also seen with a nasty cut on the top of his head, while De Belin appeared to be struggling to understand what had taken place. 'Quite obviously, given what we saw and the protocols and criteria regarding potential concussions, Jack de Belin and Hamish Stewart will both be coming from the field surely,' Smith commented. 'It might be a nasty cut as well, it is in the hairline there of Hamish Stewart. 'What a disaster for the Dragons given the positive opening they've had to this game.' Alexander added: 'Boy that is tough. 'Both players came in very hard too. Both low, we see it happen quite often but not to that extent.' Still, the Dragons continued to play well, with Hayden Buchanan denied a try just three minutes later due to a forward pass. Feagai then grabbed his second try in the 20th minute to stun the eerily quiet home fans. Just as it was confirmed Stewart and De Belin had suffered Category 1 concussions and wouldn't be returning, the Dragons lost another player. This time Hame Sele was left in an awful state after another misdirected tackle and was also forced out of the game. The Warriors hit back with a try in the 32nd minute through Chanel Harris-Tavita, but all the attention at halftime was on the wounded Dragons. 'Losing two starting middles in the one incident, courageous stuff from the Dragons,' Kevin Walters said. 'They fought on hard and found it difficult getting out of their own half since the two HIAs and then there was a third one later in the game. 'It's been a very brave effort form the Dragons in that opening 40.' James Graham added: 'Obviously a decimated bench there. Coach (Shane) Flanagan will be doing some mental gymnastics trying to sort out the minutes and who plays where. 'It's carnage out there for the Dragons, but they're outperforming the Warriors. They've been the better of the two teams in the opening 40 minutes.' Plenty of people watching on were also keen to comment on the carnage. The League Scene account on X wrote: 'Hate to see these scenes. Three Dragons have been ruled out with Category 1 concussive incidents in the space of 28 mins. Hamish Stewart and Jack de Belin were gone in one incident, now Hame Sele is KO'ed before he hit the ground in awful scenes tonight.' Jake Michael Thompson tweeted: 'Oh dear. That's 3 nasty Cat 1 concussions for the Dragons in one game.' Charles Haig stated: 'This is absolute carnage.' Chloe MacSweeney wrote: 'Oh wow, That's a very bad one. Hopefully Hame Sele is OK!' It all left the Dragons facing a huge task if they are to knock off the fifth-placed Warriors and grab a third straight win following victories over the Raiders and Sharks.
