Latest news with #MaxPlath
The Age
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
How a ‘little scratch' derailed a star amid Dolphins' carnage
Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has revealed the extent of a gnarly leg gash that derailed his season for five weeks before he returned to help salvage a year being threatened by an escalating injury toll. Lock Max Plath is set to miss the rest of the campaign with a suspected ruptured ACL, joining marquee props Daniel Saifiti and Thomas Flegler (shoulder), and skipper Tom Gilbert (pectoral). The high casualty count made Marshall-King's comeback for the side's past two clashes all the more crucial. 'Everyone thought it was just a little scratch, but it was two cuts on my leg that were pretty deep,' the Kiwi hooker said. 'It got infected at one point and probably didn't heal enough when I came back. I reopened it and had to go back in and get surgery. Loading 'They had to clean it out because it got infected, and I had over 40 stitches in my quad – inside and outside. It wasn't nice, but I had to get it done.' Interim captain Felise Kaufusi will also miss the next two games after copping a grade-three dangerous contact charge for his hit on Cowboys halfback Tom Duffy, placing a huge onus on remaining props Francis Molo, Josh Kerr and Mark Nicholls. Yet despite the overflowing casualty ward, the Dolphins have overcome four-straight defeats early in the season to win seven of their past 10 games and keep their hopes of a maiden finals berth alive.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
How a ‘little scratch' derailed a star amid Dolphins' carnage
Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has revealed the extent of a gnarly leg gash that derailed his season for five weeks before he returned to help salvage a year being threatened by an escalating injury toll. Lock Max Plath is set to miss the rest of the campaign with a suspected ruptured ACL, joining marquee props Daniel Saifiti and Thomas Flegler (shoulder), and skipper Tom Gilbert (pectoral). The high casualty count made Marshall-King's comeback for the side's past two clashes all the more crucial. 'Everyone thought it was just a little scratch, but it was two cuts on my leg that were pretty deep,' the Kiwi hooker said. 'It got infected at one point and probably didn't heal enough when I came back. I reopened it and had to go back in and get surgery. Loading 'They had to clean it out because it got infected, and I had over 40 stitches in my quad – inside and outside. It wasn't nice, but I had to get it done.' Interim captain Felise Kaufusi will also miss the next two games after copping a grade-three dangerous contact charge for his hit on Cowboys halfback Tom Duffy, placing a huge onus on remaining props Francis Molo, Josh Kerr and Mark Nicholls. Yet despite the overflowing casualty ward, the Dolphins have overcome four-straight defeats early in the season to win seven of their past 10 games and keep their hopes of a maiden finals berth alive.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dash after gash: 40 stitches couldn't stop star Dolphin
The Dolphins are creating waves after three weeks of all-time premiership form and hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is just happy to be part of it after surgery. The 29-year-old missed five games with leg lacerations that required surgery after getting infected. His last two matches have been 58-4 and 56-6 wins over North Queensland and St George Illawarra respectively after he missed the previous 44-8 win over Canterbury. Those victories made the Dolphins only one of six teams in premiership history to have won three straight games by 36 points. Marshall-King suffered bad cuts against Penrith in round six and came back too soon in round nine against Sydney Roosters before missing the following four games. On Tuesday he spoke about his ordeal for the first time. "Everyone thought it was just a little scratch but it was two cuts on my leg that were pretty deep," he said. "It got infected at one point and probably didn't heal enough when I came back. I reopened it and had to go back in and get surgery. "They had to clean it out because it got infected and I had over 40 stitches in my quad - inside and outside. "It wasn't nice but I had to get it done. It is a little setback in my footy this year but it is good to be back playing and getting the wins." It is the way the sixth-placed Dolphins are winning that is such a joy. Their attack is on fire and defensively they have been elite, despite missing Daniel Saifiti, Max Plath and Tom Gilbert to season-ending injuries. "It's been really fun and enjoyable the last three weeks and breaking those records as well," he said. "It is all about our connection as a group but it comes back to our defence. The last three weeks we have kept teams to 18 and not many teams do that. "Adversity has been part of this club since we started. We've had a lot of setbacks but us boys bond and connect a lot better when things happen like (injuries). We've got to keep going and be consistent in what we do." The Dolphins will miss captain Felise Kaufusi to suspension for the next fortnight with hooker Harrison Graham set to come onto the bench against Newcastle in Perth on Saturday afternoon. That will allow standout utility Kurt Donoghoe to play longer minutes at lock and not have to slot in at hooker when Marshall-King has a rest. "Kurt's a great player. His ball playing around the middle opens up our edges as well and that is something we had probably been missing," Marshall-King said. "It takes pressure off our halves. He's done a wonderful job."
The Advertiser
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
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."
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Star duo return for Dolphins, but Stone ruled out
The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. 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." The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. 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." The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. 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."
