Ding Donga: Dolphins cult hero back to play bogey team
Joel Gould |
For the past month, Dolphins fans have been asking, “When’s Donga back?”
So they will be dancing in the aisles to know he got through the captain’s run ahead of Thursday night’s home clash with Manly.
Donga, otherwise known as the versatile Kurt Donoghoe, missed the opening four rounds with a hamstring injury but coach Kristian Woolf was adamant he would come off the bench against the Sea Eagles when asked about his fitness.
“He is a great inclusion for us,” Woolf said.
“We have missed a lot of what he brings, his toughness in defence, the speed and intensity he does things with and the way he can play with the ball.
“He was one of our best players last year and made a real difference to the way we play. Playing him at lock wasn’t a plan at the start of the year but when we put him there we saw what a difference he makes.”
Donoghoe was the club’s best forward and most consistent last year and has quickly become a fan favourite for his toughness, creativity, charismatic personality and willingness to be a “Mr Fix-it” utility.
Playing on against Canterbury last year with a broken nose plastered all over his face endeared him to the faithful even more.
The Dolphins have struggled with Manly in the past with a 58-18 loss in 2023 and a 58-30 defeat last year coming as warnings of what can happen if they don’t defend at their best.
“We have had some poor performances against Manly over the years,” Woolf said.
“They have got some real tricks about them and tend to shift the ball and have more shape than other teams.”
The other dangerous aspect to Manly is that they have a new interim coach on debut in club legend Kieran Foran. There is a sense the side could rally under Foran after the axing of former head coach Anthony Seibold.
“The Broncos had turmoil last week and came out and played really well. Manly will be trying to do the same thing,” Woolf said.
“Kieran was an exceptional player. When you listen to him speak he speaks with authority and real knowledge of the game. I have no doubt he is going to be a very good coach.
“There is a bit of unknown around them but there is no unknown around us. We have just got to worry about getting our own prep right and bringing the best version of us.”
AAP