Jack out of the box to boost Dolphins in new role
Joel Gould |
Jack Bostock returns for his first NRL match in 10 months at centre as the Dolphins make the tough call to drop Trai Fuller.
Bostock, 22, will play Melbourne on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium after making a full recovery from an ACL rupture.
While mostly used as a winger in the NRL he played centre in the Hostplus Cup last week for Redcliffe and has shone in the position for NSW under 19s.
“We see him as a centre going forward,” Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said.
“He’s a terrific player, Jack. He brings a real presence to us. He’s got a real know-how in terms of how to play in the centres, both defensively and in attack.
“It’s great having him back.”
Versatile Fuller played right centre in the 20-18 loss to the Warriors and set up two tries.
With fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow set to be named in the Queensland team in a fortnight the Dolphins want Fuller to get some minutes in the position in the state league.
“It’s a hard call on Trai. I was really happy with Trai last week,” Woolf said.
“We also know that Hammer’s most likely going to be playing Origin in a couple of weeks and it’s really important that Trai’s going to be our fullback.
“He needs to go and get some time at fullback and the fitness.”
The Dolphins also welcome back utility Kurt Donoghoe on the bench after a hamstring injury has restricted him to just one match this year.
“He was probably our best players last year and I think people have really underestimated how much of an influence he has on our team,” Woolf said,
“He brings a lot of energy, work ethic and toughness.
“Kurt helps our halves in terms of his skill first and organisation as well.”
Melbourne have lost their last six games and the Dolphins have tasted defeat in their past four, although narrow losses to Penrith and the Warriors suggested they are on the improve.
“What I’ve liked about our performances is we’ve really played tough,” Woolf said.
“Our toughness and our work ethic and our desire to defend for each other, that’s what’s kept us in games.”
AAP