But all eyes will be on Latrell Mitchell after the gun centre left the field for an early mark. <\/p>\n
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Mitchell, of course, missed last week\u2019s game with a back injury and appeared to be in discomfort late in the second half before coming to the bench with seven minutes left. <\/p>\n
Fox League\u2019s Jake Duke later reported that the Rabbitohs bench told him Mitchell was \u201ca bit sore\u201d and that they were \u201clooking after New South Wales\u201d by pulling him off early.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey wouldn\u2019t give me an answer on whether that (the back) has flared up,\u201d Duke added.<\/p>\n
Wayne Bennett later said in his post-game press conference that Mitchell had been \u201ccramping up a bit\u201d but was confident it was \u201cnothing major\u201d and that 28-year-old will be fine for Origin.<\/p>\n
The Dolphins looked to be cruising after they opened up a 24-0 lead in the second half, but two quick tries in the space of five minutes put South Sydney right back in the frame.<\/p>\n
Kristian Woolf\u2019s side was able to hold on, however, and make it three wins on the trot after a four-game losing streak previously had them at risk of falling out of the finals race.<\/p>\n
Instead, they have temporarily moved into the top eight after Friday\u2019s win, which saw a number of the Dolphins\u2019 unsung stars nail their Origin auditions.<\/p>\n
Jack Bostock is in the mix for a Blues call-up and impressed with 111 metres, three tackle busts and a try while Queensland bolter Max Plath looks like a lock for his debut after a workman-like performance in the middle, which he capped off with a sensational solo try.<\/p>\n
Origin stars in doubt after Phins upset | 02:03<\/p>\n
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is another potential debutant Billy Slater could turn to and had a solid performance, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is obviously locked in for the Maroons and capped off the Dolphins win with the final try of the night. <\/p>\n
The win came at a cost for the Dolphins, however, with Kodi Nikorima suffering a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
CAM\u2019S RELIEF<\/p>\n
The NRL\u2019s match-review committee did not charge Cameron Murray for his dangerous tackle that threatened to put him in doubt for Origin I.<\/p>\n
The Rabbitohs lock arrived late as third-man in and knocked Finefeuiaki off his feet. The incident didn\u2019t appear to be too serious, and Murray was later cleared by the MRC to be available for selection for Origin I.<\/p>\n
Rabbitohs teammate Campbell Graham, meanwhile, was also placed on report for a trip during the Farnworth try. He had not been charged since 2022. <\/p>\n
Graham avoided ban, but has been hit with a fine. He can accept a $750 fine with an early plea or he will cop a $1000 fine if found guilty at the panel.<\/p>\n
Selyn Cobbo was placed on report for a dangerous throw in the 52nd minute. <\/p>\n
Jeremy Marshall-King was placed on report for a crusher tackle in the 65th minute. <\/p>\n
Kodi Nikorima was injured in the game.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
MITCHELL\u2019S MISERY<\/p>\n
Alarm bells are ringing for NSW coach Laurie Daley after Blues and Bunnies superstar Mitchell failed to finish.<\/p>\n
Returning from a back injury, Mitchell didn\u2019t appear fully fit. He hobbled at times, clutched at his shoulder in the final quarter and finally hit the eject button in the 73rd minute to suggest he could be in major doubt for Origin I.<\/p>\n
Mitchell was kept relatively quiet by his lofty standards after what Michael Ennis described as a \u201ctactical adjustment\u201d from the Dolphins, having initially given him too much time and space.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time he has touched it there have been four or five Dolphins players ready to get in the tackle,\u201d added Cooper Cronk, who said the Dolphins \u201cput a target\u201d on Mitchell.<\/p>\n
While there may be question marks over Mitchell\u2019s fitness entering the Origin arena, Ennis said there is no doubt Laurie Daley will pick him if the Rabbitohs centre is given the all clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw enough physicality from Latrell tonight in collisions, with and without the ball,\u201d Ennis said.<\/p>\n
Latrell Mitchell leaves the field.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
MIGHTY MAX<\/p>\n
The pugnacious Plath is banging down the Queensland selection door after another outstanding display from the Dolphins ironman.<\/p>\n
Plath\u2019s form over the past month has been magnificent. When he took the ball at first receiver and smashed through the Souths line using pure heart to score in the 26th minute, it was a compelling statement to Maroons coach Billy Slater.<\/p>\n
Plath is the perfect style of Queensland debutant. The 24-year-old punches above his weight, never relents, and has the versatility to be a handy Mr Fixit option in the six-man bench era.<\/p>\n
Former Warriors halfback and Fox League expert Shaun Johnson said it was a \u201ctruly special\u201d performance from Plath on Friday night, singling out his service from dummy-half in particular.<\/p>\n
Woolf endorses potential Origin debutant | 05:22<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s special,\u201d Johnson said on Fox League.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a newfound appreciation for him. I saw him a few weeks ago in New Zealand when the Warriors played him but tonight in particular… they are a few players in the comp, and I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to play alongside them, that actually make your job as a half easier. <\/p>\n
\u201cI watched the service he gave Issy Katoa tonight and Tohu Harris comes to mind for me and how it can free you up as a half. That\u2019s what I\u2019m seeing from Issy Katoa. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just the barge, the bull terrier type get in there and do a job. We need you to play multiple roles, we need you to service multiple players and a player that can make your job easier, they\u2019re the ones you want in your side. <\/p>\n
\u201cI saw what he was doing for Issy Katoa tonight, freeing him up \u2014 a truly special stint.\u201d<\/p>\n
Max Plath has put his name forward for selection. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
CAM\u2019S CONCERN<\/p>\n
The NRL\u2019s match-review committee will decide whether to hit Murray with a dangerous-tackle charge that could put him in doubt for Origin I.<\/p>\n
The Rabbitohs lock arrived late as third-man in and knocked Finefeuiaki off his feet. The incident didn\u2019t appear to be too serious, but Murray will sweat on a verdict from the MRC to be available for selection for Origin I.<\/p>\n
It capped a woeful first half for the Bunnies, who completed at 65 per cent and trailed 20-0 after 31 minutes as the Dolphins built pressure with an energetic midfield in the wet.<\/p>\n
Cam Murray faces a nervous wait.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
COBBO\u2019S COMEBACK<\/p>\n
A month ago, you would have scoffed at the notion of Cobbo being mentioned as a wing contender for the Queensland Origin side.<\/p>\n
But the Maroons\u2019 injury crisis on the flanks may have opened the door for Cobbo, who gave Slater food for thought after a powerful display against the Bunnies.<\/p>\n
The former Broncos flyer scored the opening try in the 18th minute, ran with vigour (153m and six tackle busts), and has cut out the unforced errors that marred his start to the season.<\/p>\n
Slater gave Cobbo his Queensland debut in 2022 and the nerveless 23-year-old has produced some magical touches in the Origin arena.<\/p>\n
All the best performers from Friday’s game.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
PHINS UP<\/p>\n
Here come the Phins. They have the firepower to be a top-four team.<\/p>\n
After five losses from their first seven games, the Dolphins\u2019 attack which destroyed teams last season is beginning to hum and in Katoa, they have a masterful conductor.<\/p>\n
The Dolphins have also tightened their defence, leaking just 22 points in three weeks as Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow plunged the dagger with a late try.<\/p>\n
STAT ATTACK (via Fox Lab)<\/p>\n
Three straight wins for the Dolphins – first time since round 15 last season. Have scored 102 points to 32 in those wins. <\/p>\n
Souths biggest loss and lowest score of the season. Only the third time scoring less than 30 points this season. <\/p>\n
Dolphins led 20-0 at half time. Their first first half clean sheet this season, and first time Souths held scoreless. <\/p>\n
Souths completed just 72 percent of their sets – their second worst completion rate this season. <\/p>\n
Jack Bostock may have played himself into discussions for a NSW wing spot with a strong performance. Scored a try, ran 17 times for 131 metres, busting five tackles. He has four tries in his three games since returning from injury<\/p>\n
Fox Lab POTM – Another powerhouse display from Herbie Farnworth. He scored a try, had a hand in another and busted 11 tackles running for 142 metres. Four offloads to keep himself at the top of that list. Third time in the last five weeks he has busted double figure tackles.<\/p>\n