Forwards to miss start of season

THE Dolphins will start their 2005 Queensland Cup campaign without top-line forwards Daniel Green, Troy Lindsay and Grant Flugge. Lindsay (one week) and Flugge (two weeks) were hit with suspensions from the final fixture of 2204 while Green is recuperating from an off-season shoulder operation. But Dolphins coach Anthony Griffin has been buoyed by his side's strong pre-season trial form, beating premiers Burleigh 36-16 on the Gold Coast and then disposing of Souths-Logan 34-22 at Dolphin Oval. "We won comfortably against Souths and I was pretty happy with their performance," Griffin said. "We are building up a bit of momentum, although there are still a few areas we need to work on defensively." Redcliffe led Souths 16-0 early, before the Magpies came back to 16-10, however the home side stormed away to 28-12 before defensive slips balanced the final scoreline. Griffin said front-rowers Adam Starr and Nick Walker were impressive, along with halves Michael Roberts and Shane Perry and utility forward Shannon Fish. "Daniel Jones injured his ankle in the Souths trial, which was our most serious injury," he said. "He was taken off and did not come back. "Daniel Green might be ready at he start of the season but he could have a game or two in the reserves."