{
  "id": 9656350,
  "title": "Retiring Dolphin lauded as one of NRL's toughest ahead of prelim final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/retiring-dolphin-lauded-as-one-of-nrls-toughest-ahead-of-prelim-final",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T00:03:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-25/nrl-ray-stone-toughness-dolphins-vs-roosters-preliminary-final/107194798"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Retiring Dolphin Ray Stone has been hailed for his toughness by coach Kristian Woolf as the team prepares for their Preliminary Final match. The 29-year-old Stone, who is on the brink of retirement, is considered one of the toughest players in the NRL. Despite being injured multiple times this season, Stone has continued to perform at a high level, even when playing with a broken hand and needles in both shoulders. Coach Woolf singled him out last year for playing through severe injuries, praising his commitment to the team. Stone has not considered a boxing career, stating that he wants to spend more time with his growing family. The Dolphins, who have won 16 of their last 18 matches, will face the Sydney Roosters in the Preliminary Final on Friday at Lang Park.",
  "summary": "The Dolphins preliminary final against the Roosters could be the last match of Ray Stone's NRL career, and he is set to go down swinging regardless of the result.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ray Stone hailed as one of NRL's toughest players",
    "Injured multiple times this season, continues high performance",
    "Will face Sydney Roosters in Preliminary Final on Friday"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The tribute to Ray Stone highlights his value to the Dolphins as a player who consistently puts team commitment ahead of personal well-being, setting a high standard for toughness.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Retiring Dolphin lauded as one of NRL's toughest ahead of prelim final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/retiring-dolphin-lauded-as-one-of-nrls-toughest-ahead-of-prelim-final-9656462",
        "published": "2026-09-25T00:03:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}