Round 23 vs Sydney Roosters

[257Matt]

No, was definitely Trai - he was asked about the significance of Indigenous Round and referenced all the Indigenous players in the squad before saying something like "... and for the players on the ground, Josh and Trai". It might mean nothing, it might mean Trai will be 18th man and might be called on, but it sounded to me like Trai's in the 17. The presser waa on the Dolphins' website last night if you want to watch and make your own conclusion. Woolf also spoke separately about Isaako's courage to finish the match last week

Well said. It was picked up and commented on through the other Dolphins pages & groups including Dolphins Official FB & IG when they posted the snippet of Woolf's comment that alluded to Hammer, Kerr & Fuller. I believe that Fuller is 18th tonight and Bromwich is the extra the only changes will be in the forwards and bench rotation.

 

[257Matt]

Broncos injury concerns (still far less than ours) will see us fired up for a big game to become the premier QLD team going forward into the foreseeable future. i expect Averillo to start in the centres and Naufahu on the wing.

• Dolphins by 10
• MoM - Avrillo
• FTS - Averillo

I've long been a fan of Averillo playing 5/8 but the thing is, under Woolf he's been playing centre or wing much better than he was under Bennett. This is the case for a few in this team.

Roosters strengths are Tedesco's carries, the dual aerial wing threats and Tedesco's stray knees. Dolphins may need to defend Averillo on the wing to stop the RU convert. And on the other flip side Toia had a career best game vs Dolphins last time and completely baked Herbie so it's a massive challenge on that left edge for both Averillo & Naufahu as the Roosters will attack with both running & kicking that side and will pepper Isaako with kicks. Isaako is one of the better wingers in timing the kicks but the rule changes about defensive teams not allowed to tackle in the air has made Tupou close to the most dangerous winger in the game.

Dolphins will need to control the field position to prevent providing the Roosters halves with aerial wing raids on the try-line and Dolphins need to sharpen up the left edge defence. If they can do both of them they'll put themselves in a good position to win the game. Roosters are at full strength aside from Nat Butcher so it's a huge challenge for Dolphins. A win tonight gets them ever so close to nailing that top 8 spot.

 

[Red]

Roosters strengths are Tedesco's carries, the dual aerial wing threats and Tedesco's stray knees. Dolphins may need to defend Averillo on the wing to stop the RU convert. And on the other flip side Toia had a career best game vs Dolphins last time and completely baked Herbie so it's a massive challenge on that left edge for both Averillo & Naufahu as the Roosters will attack with both running & kicking that side and will pepper Isaako with kicks. Isaako is one of the better wingers in timing the kicks but the rule changes about defensive teams not allowed to tackle in the air has made Tupou close to the most dangerous winger in the game.

Dolphins will need to control the field position to prevent providing the Roosters halves with aerial wing raids on the try-line and Dolphins need to sharpen up the left edge defence. If they can do both of them they'll put themselves in a good position to win the game. Roosters are at full strength aside from Nat Butcher so it's a huge challenge for Dolphins. A win tonight gets them ever so close to nailing that top 8 spot.

I can't remember the game but TBH, I find it very hard to believe any centre "completely baked" Herbie, the best centre in the competition.

 

[257Matt]

I can't remember the game but TBH, I find it very hard to believe any centre "completely baked" Herbie, the best centre in the competition.

That was the game that got Toia into the Queensland Origin side he destroyed Herbie that night. The entire Roosters back 5 are very dangerous and need to be well contained. Toia and Nawaqanitawase got 4 tries between them that night marking Herbie and Bostock. Toia also got credited with a line break assist & try assist.

The second half of the Dolphins season been the best I've seen Averillo play it'll be a big challenge for him to mark two of the Roosters big attacking threats. Averillo in attack will cause a lot of problems for them, but needs to hold firm in defence.

 

[mr_c]

to be honest we need play our natural game , we were no where near our best that game n roosters are rocks and diamonds , and only seem to beat the lower teams ( n looked really bad at times even when winning )

 

[Phins Phan]

Roosters strengths are Tedesco's carries, the dual aerial wing threats and Tedesco's stray knees. Dolphins may need to defend Averillo on the wing to stop the RU convert. And on the other flip side Toia had a career best game vs Dolphins last time and completely baked Herbie so it's a massive challenge on that left edge for both Averillo & Naufahu as the Roosters will attack with both running & kicking that side and will pepper Isaako with kicks. Isaako is one of the better wingers in timing the kicks but the rule changes about defensive teams not allowed to tackle in the air has made Tupou close to the most dangerous winger in the game.

Dolphins will need to control the field position to prevent providing the Roosters halves with aerial wing raids on the try-line and Dolphins need to sharpen up the left edge defence. If they can do both of them they'll put themselves in a good position to win the game. Roosters are at full strength aside from Nat Butcher so it's a huge challenge for Dolphins. A win tonight gets them ever so close to nailing that top 8 spot.

Yep, Manly's loss last night means a Dolphins win tonight takes them two wins clear of ninth - and effectively three wins clear given a far superior F/A - with just four rounds to play. Even if Dolphins didn't win another match after tonight Manly or Roosters would have to win three of their last four to go ahead. Manly has the softer run home of the two but one of their matches is against Dolphins in Round 25. A win tonight would be the most significant in the Dolphins' short (NRL) history

 

[Blockade]

Plenty of incentive for the boys tonight as a victory will put eight fingers and one thumb on a maiden playoff berth. They will also climb at least one place in the standings at the expense of the floundering Broncos. Standing in the way will be a desperate Rooster side who will be extremely hard to beat. They are basically injury free and have strike all over the park. It will take a very good performance in soggy conditions to prevail in this one.

Dolphins by 4
FTS- Nikorima
MOTM- Molo.

 

[Equaliser]

• Dolphins by 8
• MOTM = JMK
• FTS = Lemuelu

 

[Phins Phan]

Dolphins by 1 - a Ray Stone FG in extra time
Donoghoe MOTM
Nicholls FTS

 

[Chris]

Dolphins by 1 - a Ray Stone FG in extra time
Donoghoe MOTM
Nicholls FTS

Dolphins by 6 (80 metre intercept try to Ray Stone in the 79th minute
MOM - Ray Stone
FTS - You guessed it, Ray Stone first and last try.

 

[Red]

Dolphins by 6 (80 metre intercept try to Ray Stone in the 79th minute
MOM - Ray Stone
FTS - You guessed it, Ray Stone first and last try.

And after all that he will walk off the field scowling.

 

[Red]

St. George have done us a massive favour. Now we need to take full advantage by winning now.

 

[Phins Phan]

Now that was a Welcome to Country - fantastic job

 

[Dolph]

Now that was a Welcome to Country - fantastic job

Excellent jersey as well.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Everyone around us has lost. Must win here

 

[257Matt]

I said Roosters in the air is another level. Teams can’t stop the double threats on both sides.

 

[Equaliser]

Ennis is commentating again! They are tormenting Dolphins fans.

 

[Phins Phan]

He's an amazing athlete - not sure you can really defend that

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Playing with heart. All you can ask

 

[257Matt]

Donga shot of the year