The Dolphins must embrace the Max Plath ethos and rage like Ray Stone if they are to get their season up and running in the derby clash with Gold Coast.
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Plath and Stone return from injury for the showdown in Brisbane on Sunday, and both bring the grit, team-first attitude and defensive clout that the Dolphins as a collective must embrace if they are to take the next step and play finals this year.
Plath, known affectionately by fans as Mad Max, is named on the bench to play his first NRL match since a ruptured ACL ended his 2025 season in round 14.
If there is a tackle to be made, run that needs taking, try to be scored with great support play or loose ball to be cleaned up, Plath is always on hand to do the job.
The 24-year-old's tackle efficiency of 94 per cent is just what the Dolphins need after a 40-30 round-one loss to South Sydney and a poor defensive season in 2025.
"We need what Max brings," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said.
"He offers so much to the team with his energy, his work ethic and support play. I'm looking forward to having him back."
Stone is the "unsmiling assassin" of the Dolphins line-up who enjoys inflicting and absorbing pain.
The uncompromising lock, also named on the bench, played with two busted shoulders for the back half of last season as the Dolphins dealt with an injury crisis.
It is the 28-year-old's take-no-prisoners methodology that was missed against the Rabbitohs. Stone, who had surgery on both shoulders in the off-season, is one of Woolf's favourites.
"Ray will never let you down and will do whatever he can for the team, regardless of the circumstances," Woolf said.
"I know when I put him on he is going to work his absolute butt off.
"I respect enormously what Ray did last year and what he put himself through. We get to deal with a lot of tough men, but he's right at the top of that list."
The razzle-dazzle Dolphins must decide whether they want to be entertainers or premiership contenders.
Woolf was not happy with the defensive frailties last week. He said Plath and Stone would take time to work into their best, but their return couldn't have come at a better time.
"They are two big ins who will improve the way we play with the toughness and mindset they will add to us," he said.
"They are both guys that chase work and tackle really well, and there are a couple of things around that we just didn't get quite right last week."
Australian Associated Press
