With star half Isaiya Katoa injured the Dolphins need creativity and tough as teak utility Kurt Donoghoe is the man who has the answers as they target a maiden finals appearance.
Donoghoe's two try assists in the 36-16 win over North Queensland showcased just why the 24-year-old ball-playing lock is regarded by former Test five-eighth Matthew Johns as one of the key men in the Dolphins' premiership push.
"Kurt Donoghoe, he's got so much Isaah Yeo about him," Johns said recently on SEN radio.
Penrith co-captain and NSW skipper Yeo has the creativity as a lock that complements Nathan Cleary in the same way Donoghoe does for Katoa when he is fit.
Donoghoe, most comfortable at No.13, can play just about anywhere on the field but his elite short pass to Felise Kaufusi for a try against the Cowboys on Sunday just before halftime was the turning point of the match.
With Katoa looking on from the stands with a broken wrist, the man known as "Donga" came off the bench to inspire a win that took the Dolphins to fifth on the ladder.
"When I came on, the boys started winning the cycle and I was able to just play eyes up footy and play a bit more free," Donoghoe said.
""I've got a background of playing in the halves for Newcastle in the under 21s and all through juniors, so No.13 was sort of the spot where I could mix a bit of everything ... ball play and play tough in the middle."
A permanent move to the halves isn't on his agenda right now despite Donoghoe playing either No.6 or No.7 in all of his seven Tests for Fiji.
"I've been asked this question for the last four years but I think I'm staying at lock for now," he said
"I've put on a bit of weight and I think I'm in the middle now."
Tonsillitis and a string of soft tissue leg injuries hampered his pre-season and early NRL round involvements but next week's bye has come at just the right time for the foundation Dolphin.
"I didn't have the best run in pre-season so I'm happy just to be here playing and having some input out there," he said.
"So hopefully this little break helps me and I can get the body right to finish the year strong."
"To play finals would mean a lot," he said.
"I've been here since day one, so I've been through everything with the club, so to be a part of the team that gets there would be pretty special."
Donoghoe is signed until the end of 2028 and all he has to worry about is repeating his Cowboys display with regularity.
"The Dolphins gave me a big opportunity," he said.
"I'm here until 2028, I've got a house, got a boat and I'm happy just living up here at the moment."
Australian Associated Press
