Versatile workhorses Kurt Donoghoe and Max Plath have fast become cult heroes at the Dolphins and coach Kristian Woolf wants both of them in his 17 when fit and healthy.
Woolf has a plethora of forwards set to return from long-term injuries, - including Tom Flegler, Tom Gilbert and Daniel Saifiti - and has recruited England lock Morgan Knowles.
Positions in the 17 for the NRL round one clash with South Sydney will be as hotly contested as any time in the club's short history.
Woolf has one key vacancy with hooker Jeremy Marshall-King set to miss the opening six rounds with a knee injury.
Fiji international Donoghoe, or 'Donga" as he is affectionately known, had a breakout 2025 season. He and Plath are both capable of playing as middle forwards, hooker and as playmakers if required.
Plath ruptured an ACL in round 14 last year but has been training strongly and is ahead of schedule, where he was slated to return in round four.
Even if he is fit to play against the Rabbitohs, the coach does not need to play him and almost certainly won't.
"Max is not available for round one at this point. I think he’d love to be but the reality is that at this stage I don’t think that will be the case," Woolf told AAP.
"We are preparing for both him and Jeremy not to be available for round one. Where Jeremy’s injury lands we are not quite sure but it is obviously going to see him miss a good chunk of the start of the season.
"We need to be smart with Plathy. You can’t get that one wrong and go back.
"We will make sure we have him ticking every box before we consider playing him."
Woolf was adamant that when Plath returns to full fitness it will not be an either/or selection issue with Donoghoe.
"There’s no dramas fitting those two blokes into any team because I love what both of them bring," Woolf said.
"They are two blokes I know you can rely on and really trust.
"Both can play hooker. Both can play lock and both can play in the second-row. Kurt is one of those guys that can play anywhere."
