LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a surprising turn of events, Wayne Bennett's new-look team for the Dolphins' Round 1 clash against the North Queensland Cowboys is already taking shape.
According to Zero Tackle, there are a number of players who have earned their starting spots ahead of the official team list announcement on Tuesday.
After Herbie Farnworth's injury scare during training last week, it seems he is on track to play, providing much-needed relief to the club and its fans.
Unfortunately, Tom Gilbert's season-ending ACL injury is a significant blow to the team, but Max Plath could potentially step up to fill his role in the lock position, according to AAP.
Meanwhile, Ray Stone is currently training in the middle, potentially partnering with Thomas Flegler in the front-row.
In an intriguing twist, Jake Averillo started as the starting centre in the pre-season trial match, but it seems that Tesi Niu has impressed enough to secure the spot alongside Farnworth in the centres, as reported by AAP.
The Dolphins' Round 1 Team Talk is sure to generate excitement among fans as these newly-appointed players aim to make their mark on the NRL stage.