The Ray White Noosa Dolphins return to the field this weekend when they travel to Caloundra to take on the ladder leading Lighthouses.
Following the unexpected and frustrating extended break due to match postponements due to weather, the round bye and the competition bye for representative round, a solid performance by the Dolphins is needed. Whilst Caloundra have played an extra match this season, they currently sit six points ahead of Noosa.
“The absence of football has not been good from a continuity perspective so this week’s training will be about getting the players’ heads back into match football,“ said manager Mick Phelan.
“While our six representative players played two matches in the South East Queensland championships last weekend, the rest have had to rely on training drills which is not great. But looking for some positives, it has given some of our injured players extra time to recuperate.“
Players including Albie Polu, Kipp Comrie and Josh Roe are some who will undergo fitness tests to determine availability.
The expected return to the field from injury to captain, and team of the 40 year lock, Levi Shaw will give coaching staff some selection decisions which have been exacerbated by the season-ending injury to flanker and stand in captain Ben Ashman suffered at training following his strong display against Wynnum. Opportunities open including the possibility of the return of Matt Kelly, an A Grade Debut for Drew Narbey-Nimeti or a move back to the number 6 jersey from lock for Billy Tait.
The SEQ Representative round was played at the Gold Coast last weekend in weather that would scare off other Unions. With the Dolphins represented by Levi Shaw, Tai Ford, Julian Scott-Davies, Joey Caputo and Sonny Uaua in the senior men’s and Steivy Te Moana, Tiger Livingston, Meg Fortune, Tess Evans and Bronte Wilson in the senior women’s, the Sunshine Coast performed very well; the senior men defeating both Gold Coast (30-8) and Darling Downs (29-10) and the senior women defeating Gold Coast (12-5) in their first match then going down in a close match against Darling Downs (5-12). With no reported injuries, it is expected all rep players will be available for election for this weekend’s rugby.
The ladder as of this week sees the Friday Night Team sitting sixth, Reserve Grade in second, six points behind this weekend’s opposition Caloundra with a match in hand, Senior Women in third and A Grade Men’s third with a match in hand.
Matches this weekend start Friday night at Brothers (Kawana Waters) with the Dolphins taking on Caloundra at 7pm, Saturday remaining teams head to Caloundra with the Women’s kick off at 12.30pm, Reserve Grade 2pm and A Grade 3.30pm.
For all up to date information on team selections and other Dolphins’ news, check out the Dolphins’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
