Dolphins playmaker Anthony Milford is ready for an prolonged run at five-eighth after halfback Sean O’Sullivan sustained a torn pectoral within the 18-12 loss to Brisbane.
Coach Wayne Bennett stated he made a game-day resolution to play Milford at No.6 towards the Broncos on Friday after 19-year-old common five-eighth Isaiya Katoa didn’t get well in time from an elbow damage.
Milford, a 207-game veteran, created a strive with a grubber for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and had an honest sport at Suncorp Stadium for somebody who hadn’t performed NRL since August final yr.
The 28-year-old was a mainstay of Bennett’s Broncos workforce from 2015 to 2018 however began this season within the Queensland Cup after Katoa outshone him in pre-season.
“There’s a good alternative for him now,” Bennett stated of Milford.
“He did sufficient tonight to make me completely satisfied sufficient to maintain him there.
“Isaiah will most likely come into halfback. We made him right into a five-eighth however he’s a halfback, Isaiah.”
The coach added that Katoa was “fairly near taking part in” towards the Broncos and anticipated him to be match to tackle St George Illawarra subsequent Saturday evening in Wollongong.
The information wasn’t so good for O’Sullivan who got here off within the 61st minute after having fun with a stellar begin to the season.
“It seems like he has performed a pec by the sound of it so I do not suppose we’ll have him for a short time now,” Bennett stated.
Bennett believes that if suspended hooker Jeremy Marshall-King had performed the Dolphins would have received.
To compound their damage woes, skilled utility Kodi Nikorima left the sphere with a deep lower to the top within the 26th minute, simply two minutes after he had come on.
That left Mason Teague and Ray Stone to share the dummy-half position, with neither of them common No.9s.
“If we might had a hooker we’d have performed a hell of much more,” Bennett stated.
“Halfback’s gone. Hooker’s gone… and we’re nonetheless in there at 14-12… unbelievable.
“You want these key gamers in key positions. They weren’t there. We have been so courageous to maintain ourselves within the sport and that is what was a miracle.”
Winger Tesi Niu injured his knee early, had it strapped and battled on for everything on one leg.
Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich stated Niu epitomized the material of the Dolphins membership together with his dedication.
“For a younger man to try this and put his physique on the road for the workforce simply reveals you what sort of membership we need to be and how much membership we’re,” he stated.
“Wayne gave him an enormous wrap within the sheds for the way in which he was in a position to push by after we did not have any backs that might play there. He did a extremely good job and toughed it out.”
