Amateurs Fantasy Sports

At a price of $474k (35 AVG), Kurt Donoghoe has emerged as a key consideration for coaches navigating the complexities of the hooker position. With the Dolphins’ forward pack ravaged by injuries, the opportunity is ripe for someone to step into a high-minute role. The question is: is Kurt the answer, or is this simply a case of suboptimal bye coverage?

The Upside:

The case for Donoghoe hinges less on his 2023–2024 fantasy output and more on the current opportunity and projected role. While his NSW Cup stats at lock aren’t overly inspiring, there are several compelling reasons to consider him now.

14 starts (71.29 min avg)

42.43 AVG POINTS.

The  Dolphins have been hit hard with season-ending injuries to Max Plath, Daniel Saifiti, and Tom Gilbert, creating a significant vacuum in the middle forward rotation. Based on NRL Fantasy Amateurs’ 2025 rotation projections, it’s reasonable to anticipate Donoghoe playing 50–55 minutes in the middle, with an additional 10–15 minutes at hooker. Jeremy Marshall-King (JMK) has played just one 80-minute game this season, suggesting that 80 min days are over.

Source: NRL Fantasy Amateurs 2025 Projections.

Donoghoe’s projected PPMis approximately 0.73, translating to a 47.5 fantasy point average—roughly 10+ points of value. A conservative estimate still lands around 8 points of value,

Adding weight to his case is the composition and age—of the Dolphins’ remaining forward pack, affectionately dubbed “Dad’s Army.”

• Felise Kaufusi (33) – Hamstring issues (2023, 2024), MCL (2025)
• Francis Molo (30)
• Mark Nicholls (35) – Ankle syndesmosis (2022), thumb injury (2023)
• Ray Stone (28) – ACL (2022), knee cork and toe fracture (2023), AC joint (2025)
• Josh Kerr (29)

Combine this with JMK’s checkered injury record, it becomes evident that Donoghoe has a strong pathway to extended minutes should more injuries strike.

At just 23 years old, Donoghoe has shown clear signs of physical development and improved performance. His last two starts in a hybrid lock/hooker role yielded fantasy scores of 60 and 41, showcasing:

1. Noticeable growth in his game and workload.
2. Trust from coach Kristian Woolf, indicating he may be the go-to option in a big-minute role moving forward.

Two further advantages to Kurt Donoghoe that warrant brief mention:

1. Dual Position Potential – HLF/HOK:
   The hooker position has been notoriously difficult in fantasy over the past few seasons due to meta shifts, with fewer consistent 80-minute options. As Amateur Mark points out, Donoghoe has the potential to slot in as your 18th or 19th man, providing flexibility and complementing players like Erin Clark effectively. In the current meta, there’s real value in owning hookers who don’t necessarily play the traditional role—similar to the “cheat code” trend we’ve seen at WFB.
2. Reliable Loop Option:
   Donoghoe also offers utility as a dependable loop piece. With many high-ownership players sitting out each week, having a player like Donoghoe who can realistically deliver around 40 points makes him a handy option for managing your squad depth and maximizing weekly scores

The Downside:

There are three key concerns worth objectively examining before locking him into your squad:

1. Rotation Predictability & PPM Sustainability

The projections suggest Donoghoe could play up to 65 minutes with a 0.73 PPM, delivering around 47.5 avg. But it’s important to ask some hard questions:

• Is 65 minutes a given, or were his last two high-minute games a result of injury-influenced rotations?
• What if Kristian Woolf makes a tactical pivot—say, giving Felise Kaufusi a major minute bump, leaving Donoghoe closer to a 50-minute role?
• Can we trust his PPM, or will it regress to match his historical averages?

These were the questions I asked during my pre-research before Amateur Mark’s perspective added much-needed context. Interestingly, many of these concerns mirror those we had about Max Plath in early 2024—a player who ultimately punished non-owners with breakout performances.

While historical data may not fully reflect the current opportunity, dismissing Donoghoe as merely sub-optimal by coverage could prove to be another Plath-style oversight.

2. Too Many Dolphins?

There’s also the issue of team composition. Many coaches already own Dolphins players such as Isaiya Katoa and Herbie Farnworth, raising the valid question: Is carrying a third Dolphin too much?

With upcoming byes in Rounds 18 and 21, the Dolphins’ schedule poses a real problem—especially when combined with the absence of other key fantasy teams in Round 18: the Knights, Panthers, Warriors, Titans, Sharks, and Eels. That round, in particular, shapes as one of the most difficult in the fantasy season. Adding another player into the bye mix could stretch depth thin and amplify already complex roster challenges.

If your squad is already heavily exposed to these teams, it may be wiser to hold off on Donoghoe.

3. Genuine Option or Sub-Optimal Coverage?

While the potential is there, it’s important to honestly assess Donoghoe’s role in your team:

• Is he a long-term hold? Do you genuinely see him as a keeper, or is he more of a short-term fix for bye coverage?
• Is it worth using a trade for a one-off 35–40 points this week, especially if it could cost you down the line?

Fantasy coaches often face the dilemma of short-term gains versus long-term value. Using a trade now for a marginal boost could mean going without one when you really need it in Round 25, for example, when injuries or suspensions could otherwise cost you 50–60 points per week with no way to respond.

Conclusion:

I think ultimately, this decision comes down to how your team is currently structured and what your plans are for the run home. Objectively, I don’t think Donoghoe is a bad buy—and I can see why he’s Mark’s Certified Buy of the Week.

That said, I do wonder whether this is a risk worth taking. The Dolphins are undeniably decimated, and the temptation of covering HOK, which right now outside of Erin Clark is about as convincing as me attempting a ramp shot and getting clean bowled by my mate who only bowls half-trackers.

The Anonymous Intern.