Dolphins utility Max Plath has been backed to shine at hooker against South Sydney as he prepares to wrangle with one of the NRL's best in Redcliffe.
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On one level it appears a mismatch against Rabbitohs champion Damien Cook in Thursday night's NRL showdown.
With starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King out of action with foot fractures, 22-year-old Plath is set to move from lock to fill the key role against the Rabbitohs.
Dolphins back-up options at hooker are limited, with Harrison Graham on his way back from a broken hand and utility Kurt Donoghoe suspended.
The Dolphins have lost four of their past five matches to sit inside the top eight on 22 points, but the Rabbitohs, on the back of five consecutive wins, are just four points back on 18.
Representative star Cook has been in fine fettle at No.9.
Plath has been a revelation at lock, but Dolphins veteran Kenny Bromwich insisted he could make the switch.
"I just think Max has to do what he does usually," Bromwich said.
"The only difference is that he will have to be passing the ball more off the ground.
"He is solid defensively, a good runner and will be trusted to do a good job if he goes there.
"This pre-season he probably trained the best out of everyone and took his chance."
The Dolphins will be without veteran forward Felise Kaufusi and fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to State of Origin duty.
They get Jack Bostock back from concussion, the winger having scored 11 tries in 14 games in a breakout season.
"He has stepped up for us this year like a veteran," Bromwich said.
Bromwich, who won two titles at Melbourne, will play his 250th NRL game in the clash.
"I never thought I would chalk up 100, so to play 250, at this club too, is pretty cool," he said.
"I will just be happy to get a win and reflect on those milestones later on."
Australian Associated Press
