Herbie and Hammer invariably get the headlines—but Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has singled out the seemingly endless versatility of Jake Averillo following his side’s latest attacking exhibition.
Speaking after the 43-24 demolition of the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, Woolf explained the late change that saw Sean O’Sullivan make way for Tevita Naufahu, with Averillo shifting to five-eighth.
“Why did I move him there? I just felt last week (in the loss to Cronulla) we didn’t quite get the attack that we needed, and we were a bit vulnerable on that left edge, I thought Jake did a great job,” Woolf said.
Averillo, 24, responded emphatically to his latest positional change with a try double in the seven-try romp that heaps yet more pain on Cowboys coach, Todd Payten.
MORE: Dolphins’ demolition job ramps up the pressure on Todd Payten as Cowboys crumble
“I love what he brings to the team,” Woolf continued.
“He’s a real footy player, wherever we put him he gets the job done, he’s played four positions in the last five weeks.
“He can turn up wherever you need him, he brings a running game, he brings a support game and he brings a very good defensive game.
“Jeremiah Nanai is a terrific player, and the Cowboys kept going to that edge and I think (Jake) did a great job.”
Averillo puts Cowboys to ‘bed’ with cheeky try celebration
Averillo’s halves partner Isaiya Katoa was equally as impressed by the performance.
“It definitely felt comfortable,” Katoa said post-match.
“Over the pre-season Jake trained a fair bit at six, so it wasn’t like a new combination that we haven’t tried before.
“The way he plays with his eyes and the confidence he has in his running game, and the space he can create for guys like Hammer and Herbie—he’s been awesome.”
After crossing for his second try in the 76th minute, Averillo channeled NBA star Steph Curry with a cheeky ‘Try July’ celebration as the four-pointer put the game to bed.
Averillo is in his second NRL season with the Dolphins, having linked with the Redcliffe outfit in 2024 after four seasons with the Bulldogs.