How the Dolphins handle the absence of star half Isaiya Katoa in possibly two more games will go a long way to deciding their finals hopes.
The challenge continues in Sunday's home clash with eighth-placed North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium where Brad Schneider is slated to start at No.7.
Katoa broke his left wrist during the round-17 win over the Warriors and had surgery the next day.
He missed the 13-12 away loss to Newcastle and the 66-0 hiding by Cronulla in Redcliffe.
The seventh-placed Dolphins have the bye after the Cowboys and then play St George Illawarra (away) and Brisbane (home).
They want to return to the top four and must get back to winning ways without Katoa.
The 22-year-old did rehab running on Saturday and told AAP while he was hopeful of being right for the Dragons it was more likely that his next match would be against the Broncos in round 23.
The wrist has not healed as quickly as Katoa had hoped and the Dolphins won't rush him.
It is an issue as Katoa has had 52 involvements in the 77 tries the Dolphins have scored this year.
Coach Kristian Woolf said he was confident Schneider would do the job, but made the point the forwards must also play their part.
"I have complete faith in Brad," Woolf said.
"He doesn't have to be Isaiya. Isaiya is one of the elite halfbacks in the competition and if you look at any team the elite halfbacks are involved in tries.
"Brad has just got to go out and be Brad. We had a poor performance last week where we didn't go forward and we didn't win the ruck and physical side of the game. If we get that right then we will see what Brad, Kodi (Nikorima) and Hammer (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow) are capable of."
Veteran prop Felise Kaufusi did not train on Saturday after his wife gave birth to their sixth child overnight.
"He sent me a message this morning ... and he's going to be fine. He has been through it a few times so he knows how to handle it and will be right for tomorrow," Woolf said.
NSW outside back Jack Bostock had not trained all week due to concussion protocols and was ruled out late on Saturday. His place has been taken in the centres by 18-year-old Brian Pouniu.
Max Plath (ankle/foot) will also play after a minor injury against the Sharks.
There were questions asked about the Dolphins after their 52-18 loss to Manly in Redcliffe in round five, but not long afterwards they went on an eight-game winning streak.
It is why Woolf believes the Sharks debacle can be overcome quickly.
"We have been there before and we know how to handle it. We came out of it well last time so our challenge is to do the same," Woolf said.
.png?w=600)
