The Dolphins have won just one of their past 10 matches but continue to dig deep in the face of a hefty injury toll as their debut season nears its completion.
Five of those defeats have been by 10 points or less and there has plenty to admire about their efforts against Wests Tigers and Newcastle in recent weeks, both games going right down to the wire before slipping out of the Dolphins' grasp.
The Cowboys remain in the hunt for a trop-eight spot despite a three-game losing streak dropping them from seventh to ninth and knocking their points differential down from +57 to +12.
Unless the Cowboys can put some steel back in their defence they risk sliding out of finals contention with a danger game against the Dolphins followed by a daunting trip to Sydney to confront the Panthers in Round 27.
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Team News
Dolphins: No further changes on game day after captain Jesse Bromwich (groin) and centre Robert Jennings (knee) were ruled out on Thursday. Euan Aitken has been promoted to start in the centres after initially being named on the bench, while Jarrod Wallace replaces Bromwich in the front row. Playmaker Isaiya Katoa joins the interchange, along with JJ Collins. There are a few key returns for the Dolphins too, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (head knock) back at fullback. Connelly Lemuelu and Kenny Bromwich both return as well.
Cowboys: The Cowboys will line up 1-17 with no late changes. Heilum Luki comes into the starting side with Jeremiah Nanai sidelined by a shoulder injury. The new man on the bench is Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. In the backline, Zac Laybutt comes into the centres, Murray Taulagi pushes to the wing and Semi Valemei is out with a knee injury.
Match: Dolphins v Cowboys
Round 26 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Tesi NiuCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 16 Euan AitkenCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack BostockWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'SullivanHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Mark NichollsProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Harrison GrahamHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 14 Jarrod WallaceProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Heilum Luki
-
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath BromwichLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Josh KerrInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Herman Ese'eseInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 JJ CollinsInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Isaiya KatoaInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dolphins is number 22 Kurt DonoghoeReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires five points to break the record for most points scored for a new club in its first season. The record is held by Joel Caine, who scored 224 points in the Wests Tigers' first season in 2000.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has produced 24 try assists this season, second only to Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson with 25. Drinkwater's career try assist tally stands at 79 in 92 games.
- The Dolphins have won three from five against Queensland-based opponents.
- The Dolphins have won only one of their past 10 games.
- Cowboys pair Peta Hiku and Jordan McLean will play their 200th NRL games.
- Jamayne Isaako scored 20 points against the Cowboys in Round 6.
Match: Dolphins v Cowboys
Round 26 -
home Team
Dolphins
14th Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
