As we’ve come to expect with the Dolphins since they debuted in the NRL season last year, anything is possible! It’s been a bit of a mixed bag on the field over the last few weeks culminating in a couple of losses (30-24 against the Storm in Round 16 and 26-6 against the Dragons in Round 17), a week off in Round 18 and then finally a win over the Rabbitohs (36-28) on home turf at Redcliffe in Round 19.
All the talk before the match at Dolphin Stadium was about how the Rabbitohs had won five games in a row since Wayne Bennett had signed to return to Redfern in 2025. But despite the chatter, the master coach vowed pre-match that his focus was solely on the Dolphins.
The latest Dolphins win wasn’t without its controversy after a Bunker call early on had fans talking about Rabbitohs Jye Gray being awarded a penalty try. After toeing a kick over Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller, Gray was held by his counterpart without the ball but was able to wrestle free and have a clear chance to score. Gray dropped the ball, but the Bunker ruled the infringement by Fuller was severe enough to award a penalty try. Despite all the fuss, the Dolphins powered on.
After being sidelined for a few weeks due to concussion protocols, winger Jack Bostock returned to the Dolphins with gusto, nailing a 272m run to score the first try of the match and adding to his impressive season tally total taking it to 12.
The match also marked a significant milestone for Kenny Bromwich, who made his 250th NRL appearance. Alongside his brother and Dolphins Captain Jesse Bromwich, they became the fifth set of brothers to each play more than 250 NRL games.
With tries from Bostock, Tevita Pangai Junior and Herbie Farnworth in the first half, the Dolphins led 18-10 heading into the halftime break. It became a game of back and forth during the second half and was starting to look like the match could become a tough one. In the final six minutes, the Rabbitohs scored two more tries in desperation, but despite the late run of activity, the Dolphins held on for an eight-point victory. Both sides scored six tries, but winger Jamayne Isaako landed six goals from as many attempts for the Dolphins, giving them a solid position in the top eight.
Next up, the Dolphins are at home in Brisbane to fellow Queensland team, the Titans (Sunday July 28) who are struggling at the tail end of the competition ladder. In round 22, they head across the country to Perth for a tough game against the Roosters (Friday August 2) before another home game at Suncorp against the Warriors on Sunday August 11. Phins up!
Comentarios