Tag: Dolphins

Dolphins Hope to End Suncorp Hoodoo Against Struggling Panthers

Last week’s convincing first win of the season at the Titans 36-10 will bring the Dolphins renewed energy when they run out at Suncorp on Thursday night to host the disastrous Panthers.

Read: Broncos Look to Maintain Momentum at Suncorp Against Wests

Kristian Woolf did a great job of mental preparation that led to four unanswered tries in the first 63 minutes of the game. The Dolphins defence only being breached for the first time in the 69th minute when the game had already been decided.

The Dolphins as a unit made more tackles (352) than the Titans (337), despite dominating on attack. Max Plath led the way with 44 tackles.

Meanwhile the Dolphins ran 1974m to the Titans 1451m, an emphatic difference that ground the Titans defence to a pulp.

The five Dolphins tries came from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on nine mins, Daniel Saifiti on 24 mins, Max Plath on 58 mins, Connelly Lemuelu on 63 mins and Jamayne Isaako on 78 mins.

Coming off the back of Herbie Farnworth’s 63m made post contact along with the Hammer and Isaiya Katoa taking strong ground, Katoa making a combined 193m and the Hammer making a combined 190m.

Now did the Panthers ever envisage they would be joint wooden spooners after five games of the 2025 season?

Four consecutive losses (first such run since 2019) to the Roosters (32-38), the Storm (30-24), the Rabbitohs (28-18) and last week hosting the Cowboys (18-22), would seem to be a great time to be playing them. However, the narrow losses suggest that a small improvement by Ivan Cleary’s men would make them favourites at Suncorp, so Woolf will need to have the Phins ready for a massive first half. The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 games at Suncorp.

Ray Stone accepted an early guilty plea for a high tackle so will miss the game and Tom Gilbert comes back in for the Dolphins.

Mark Nichols will move to the Interchange. Max Plath will play Lock and Felise Kaufusi will start in the front row.

Dylan Edwards, Luke Sommerton and Scott Sorensen return for the Panthers.

In his last three games against the Panthers, the Hammer has scored 4 tries.

Buckle up as Ray Hadley would say!

Read: The Battle of Brisbane – Dolphins vs Broncos

Kick off is at 7:50 p.m.

The game will be broadcast on Nine, Kayo and Foxtel.

The Battle of Brisbane – Dolphins vs Broncos

The Broncos will start this home game, cunningly disguised as an away game, with great momentum. Suncorp will be packed and Kotoni Staggs will return to the starting lineup after his hip flexor injury, replacing Deine Mariner who has a night in the reserves. Payne Haas looked brutal against the Cowboys last week. The Cowboys defence didn’t seem to be too keen to get in his way for the crucial break that led to his late try.

Read: Broncos vs. Dolphins: The Battle for Brisbane with Finals on the Line

Reece Walsh appears to have plenty of upside scope, a few errors last week coupled with flashes of brilliance. Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt running the game efficiently when it mattered. It wasn’t a flashy Broncos win but they did enough to resign a struggling Cowboys outfit to a winless 0-3 record.

That’s where the Dolphins currently sit, winless 0-3. They will be desperate to inflict a wound to the title chasing Broncos. They put out the same starting lineup as lost to the Wests Tigers last week.

The Broncos should be motivated by the 40-6 hammering they suffered from The Hammer and co last season at Suncorp.

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf will be looking for an “Originesque Start” to the game as the Dolphins have yet to break the 20-point mark this season, 14 points against the Rabbits and 12 against the Knights, followed by 18 against the Wests Tigers, is slim pickings in attack, against a Broncos team with so many attacking options.

Read: Broncos vs Cowboys: Madge’s Men Seek Redemption in Home Opener After Mixed Start

Madge Maguire’s men have not fully hit their straps yet. The Cowboys game saw the visitors run more metres than the Broncos, and frankly the game was closer than it should have been.

Yet to have started with a 2-1 win/loss record puts them in a strong position with Wests Tigers at home next week and the Roosters at home the following week.

Broncos fans will be looking for a big first half in defence, and for their huge weaponry to build attacking dominance as the game goes on.

Dolphins vs Titans: Phins Look to Cement Top Eight Spot Against Gold Coast

The Dolphins aim to keep their finals dream alive as they prepare to face the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday, July 28. Coming off a narrow golden point loss to the reigning premiers, Wayne Bennett’s men look to solidify their position in the top eight against a struggling Titans outfit. Dolphins vs Titans kick off 4:05 p.m. at Suncorp Stadium.

Read: Broncos vs Bulldogs: Brisbane’s Finals Fate in Balance as Bulldogs Come to Town

Close loss against the reigning premiers

The Dolphins enter the match full of confidence despite a heartbreaking 28-26 loss to the Penrith Panthers, showcasing their ability to compete with the league’s best. In a thrilling encounter, the Dolphins took an early lead with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scoring a first-half double. This, along with Isaiya Katoa’s effort, gave the Dolphins an 18-12 lead at halftime.

The second half saw the Dolphins extend their lead to 26-14, with Jack Bostock scoring and Jamayne Isaako adding a penalty goal. However, the Panthers mounted a comeback, capitalising on Josh Kerr’s sin-binning in the 74th minute to level the score and force a golden point.

Despite the eventual 28-26 loss, sealed by Nathan Cleary’s 42-metre drop goal, the Dolphins’ performance against the premiers has raised their stock considerably. Their ability to push the Panthers to the limit in enemy territory bodes well for their finals aspirations.

Dolphins vs Titans

The Titans, on the other hand, find themselves in a precarious position, sitting six points outside the top eight after a defeat by Manly. Despite this setback, the Gold Coast side had won three consecutive matches prior, including a commanding 66-6 victory over the Warriors.

The Dolphins hold a perfect record against the Titans, winning all three of their previous encounters. Their most recent matchup saw the Dolphins overcome a slow start to claim a 30-14 victory, with Jack Bostock scoring his first career try double.

Currently sitting seventh on the ladder with a 9-8 record, the Dolphins have lost three of their last four matches. However, their competitive showing against Penrith suggests they’re hitting form at the right time.

The Titans, despite their recent struggles, boast a strong record at Suncorp Stadium, having won three of their past four games at the venue.

The matchup pits two experienced coaches against each other, with Wayne Bennett holding a 21-11 head-to-head advantage over Des Hasler. Bennett’s recent record is particularly impressive, having won his last six games against Hasler-coached teams.

Read: Dashcam Captures Two-Car Collision in Milton After State of Origin Decider

As the regular season enters its final stages, this clash holds significant implications for both teams. The Dolphins will be eager to maintain their position in the top eight and build momentum towards a potential finals berth a year after their inaugural season.

Published 22-July-2024