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Dolphins tackle Manly bogey with 'unsmiling assassin'
Joel Gould, AAP • August 12th, 2026 7:21 am
Dolphins hard nut Ray Stone is back from a neck injury at the right time as Manly awaits | Photo: Darren England/AAP
Kurt Donoghoe's broken thumb is a blow for the Dolphins but there is a silver lining to it as they prepare to play bogey-side Manly away and target a top-four position.
The 24-year-old ball-playing lock has been a huge impact player off the bench in the club's surge to fifth position, but he has also been battling through a calf complaint.
The Dolphins confirmed Donoghoe had surgery and would miss at least two weeks, but the layoff will give him time to rest and recuperate fully ahead of finals.
The other bonus for the Dolphins is hard head Ray Stone will slot into the bench position of Donoghoe on his return from a neck injury on Friday night.
Stone, known as the "unsmiling assassin", is a defensive warrior and just what the Dolphins need after their comeback 40-32 win over Brisbane last week.
Kurt Donoghoe's absence with a broken thumb will give his calf time to heal | Photo: Pat Hoelscher/AAP
The 29-year-old's uncompromising spirit is unmatched.
The Sea Eagles walloped the Dolphins 56-18 in Redcliffe earlier in the season and also gave them 58-18 and 58-30 thumpings at Brookvale Oval in 2023 and 2025.
Dolphins utility Max Plath said the Dolphins fine-tuned their defensive system at training on Tuesday, but with the six-again rule change he added thrashings were an occupational hazard.
"At the start of the year we didn't realise how much (momentum) can swing in games," he said.
"You are off by one or two per cent and a team has a tail wind behind them. If you are off you can get absolutely punished by 50 or 60 points. We've had that happen twice and we are better for it now but we have to play a tough Manly side in Manly."
"We are blessed with great depth. Kurt is obviously a great player and I love playing with him, but we have Ray come straight in."
The Dolphins are on 32 points with Cronulla but just behind them on for and against. If they are good enough there is an opportunity to finish in the vital top four.
"You need to make it into the top four to have a real crack and we understand that. We have got to have some things go our way and win some games and that is what we are focused on right now," Plath said.
The Dolphins trailed 24-0 last week and their comeback win revealed plenty about the team's makeup.
"It was pretty special. We don't want to put ourselves in those situations but it just shows how much fight we have as a group," Plath said.
"I reckon a couple of years ago, or even last year, we probably roll over in that situation so it is a good sign of the culture and character we have in our team."
