The loss of captain Tom Gilbert to suspension is just one of several issues the winless Dolphins must overcome against Gold Coast to get their season on track.
Gilbert has accepted a one-match ban for a careless high tackle on Brisbane centre Kotoni Staggs in Friday night's 20-12 loss and will miss Saturday's away clash against the Titans.
The 0-4 start to the season has shone a light on a Dolphins side lacking creative imagination and forward oomph. The 16th-placed Dolphins have scored just 56 points in four games, with only cellar dwellers Parramatta having a more impotent attack.
Foolish errors, such as not playing the ball correctly, have handed over possession in multiple matches and are one reason why two Dolphins' forwards are in the NRL's top five tacklers.
Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King (192 tackles) tops the list while Gilbert (180) is fifth.
Marshall-King, one of the more creative hookers in the league, has lacked spark in attack as a result of his heavy defensive load brought on by the mistakes of his bumbling teammates.
"If we get better with our completions and errors, we won't have to make so many tackles. Then we will have more juice in attack and it will flow off the back of there," veteran forward Kenny Bromwich said.
"We have the boys with the strike power. We just need to get them more of the ball."
Max Plath will likely move from second-row to lock against the Titans. It's a position he played most of last year and in the loss to Brisbane, despite having No. 12 on his back.
Gilbert was playing as an edge back-rower against the Broncos, as he did for the 2022 season at North Queensland.
"Tom is a big loss. He does a lot of work and brings a lot of aggression and intensity, but Plathy has a similar work ethic and will do a good job if he goes there," Bromwich said.
Connelly Lemuelu is set to return from the fractured eye socket sustained in round one against South Sydney and will slot into Plath's back-row position.
Half Isaiya Katoa didn't train with the main squad on Monday due to a corked calf and was rehabbing in the pool.
The Dolphins told AAP he would be fit to play the Titans.
New recruit prop Francis Molo trained with the squad on Monday but is likely to play Queensland Cup for CQ Capras this weekend as he adjusts to the Dolphins' system.
"He's looking good too and running around with plenty of energy and intensity. He will bring some good punch to our forward pack," Bromwich said.
