The Dolphins will make re-signing star centre Herbie Farnworth a priority as they prepare to cope with a shocking injury toll against North Queensland.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf confirmed the club's intention to keep the England international beyond 2026 with the 26-year-old expected to be a prime target of Perth and both rugby league and union clubs.
Farnworth said recently he was looking forward to playing against the Bears, not for them in 2027.
On Tuesday he added that he had no interest in a cross-code switch and intended to stay at the Dolphins for "a long, long time".
Players of his calibre are rare and while he is set to be in demand, Woolf made it clear the Dolphins had the funds and intention to keep Farnworth long term.
"It's a priority of ours," Woolf said.
"I like what Herbie brings. I love his personality and presence around the group and him as a player.
"He's a guy we want to be a Dolphin going forward and build the team around.
"He's playing his best footy and the great thing about Herbie is he's got improvement left in him. He's still on an upward track.
"It gets to a point where you almost expect that every week. He comes up with a big play every week ... a line break or offload."
The 10th-placed Dolphins have eight forwards and two star backs - Kodi Nikorima and Jack Bostock - on the injured list and will give former North Queensland and Canberra prop Peter Hola a club debut off the bench on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium against the Cowboys (12th).
"Pete Hola is a guy who really impressed me in the pre-season," Woolf said.
"He's a guy we wanted to see in the trials and unfortunately 10 minutes into his first trial he got a pec injury.
"I've kept an eye on him since then and he's been one of the most dominant props in the Queensland Cup."
Prop Aublix Tawha will also play just his fourth NRL match, and start.
"Aublix is extremely tough with the way he carries the ball and wants to initiate contact and turn up for his contact," Woolf said.
"I know exactly what we're going to get from Aublix.
"I'm not discrediting the players not available to us but I'm not interested in who's not on the field.
"I'm really interested and keen to watch the guys that are playing. It's a great opportunity for them."
The Dolphins do get Queensland fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow back after he was rested for last week's loss to Cronulla.
"He's looking really good, he's fresh and has a big smile on his face," Woolf said.
"He needed a week off. It was the right decision.
"Playing a guy after starting at fullback at Origin level, with the way he played and involvement he had ... if I tried to back him up two days later then roll him out again six days later, there's a real risk of him not bringing what we all expect.
"I didn't' want to take that risk. I wanted to look after him and make sure he's fresh.
"He's going to be ready to play."
