Round 1 vs. Sydney Roosters Discussion

[Big Pete]

Dolphins vs. Sydney Roosters
Suncorp Stadium, Sunday 5 March 2023
Kick Off: 4:05pm (AEST)

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert

15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Connelly Lemuelu

19. Poasa Faamausili 22. Robert Jennings 14. Herman Ese'ese 20. Mason Teague 21. Anthony Milford

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Corey Allan 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley

14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Naufahu Whyte 17. Terrell May

18. Jake Turpin 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Junior Pauga​

 

[Big Pete]

The CM is reporting that Isaya Katoa will debut against the Sydney Roosters.

Euan Aitken is set to be selected in the centres ahead of Tesi Niu and former Knights JF five eighth Kurt Donoghue is in contention for a utility spot off the bench.

Bennett as always wouldn't confirm or deny reports.

 

[Perth Red]

Will the occasion lift them to a shock victory or are we about to see the first signs of an inadequate period to build a team? Should be interesting either way.

 

[Big Pete]

The team-lists are in and Bennett has already made his first extradinary call, axeing Anthony Milford in favour of 19-year old Isaiya Katoa. I think Bennett has drawn a line in the sand with this team and if you're not meeting his expectations he's not going to waste his time and will give other players an opportunity.

All eyes will be on Katoa and how he performs on both sides of the ball. My expectation is that Bennett will give him a very similar role as Sam Walker at the Roosters. He won't be expected to lead the team around but when the Dolphins have attacking opportunities he'll be given a license to play what's infront of him.

The key will be his early plays and just making sure he can get himself in the early game. It may even be a defensive play like a try-saver or a big tackle but he's got to make his mark.

I'd have to imagine Kodi Nikorima picked up an injury as he hasn't been picked at all in the squad. Instead lining up in the utility role is Train & Trialist Kurt Doneghue who has likely been rewarded with an NRL deal. It'll be interesting to see if he can repay the faith and keep his spot in the team.

I'd say the most shocking selection is Tesi Niu on the wing. I don't believe he's ever played there in seniors and coming up against two big bodies in Tupou and Paulo I worry he's going to get targeted with high kicks. On the flipside, Tesi is a game-breaker that can beat tackles and can be really effective out of dummy half. I would not be shocked at all to see him and the Hammer combine at some point.

It's going to be a trial by fire but after waiting 16 years for another team to enter the competition it's going to be one of the biggest games of the season. Anyone going to the game? There's still some tickets available but it's close to a sell-out.

 

[coolumsharkie]

The team-lists are in and Bennett has already made his first extradinary call, axeing Anthony Milford in favour of 19-year old Isaiya Katoa. I think Bennett has drawn a line in the sand with this team and if you're not meeting his expectations he's not going to waste his time and will give other players an opportunity.

All eyes will be on Katoa and how he performs on both sides of the ball. My expectation is that Bennett will give him a very similar role as Sam Walker at the Roosters. He won't be expected to lead the team around but when the Dolphins have attacking opportunities he'll be given a license to play what's infront of him.

The key will be his early plays and just making sure he can get himself in the early game. It may even be a defensive play like a try-saver or a big tackle but he's got to make his mark.

I'd have to imagine Kodi Nikorima picked up an injury as he hasn't been picked at all in the squad. Instead lining up in the utility role is Train & Trialist Kurt Doneghue who has likely been rewarded with an NRL deal. It'll be interesting to see if he can repay the faith and keep his spot in the team.

I'd say the most shocking selection is Tesi Niu on the wing. I don't believe he's ever played there in seniors and coming up against two big bodies in Tupou and Paulo I worry he's going to get targeted with high kicks. On the flipside, Tesi is a game-breaker that can beat tackles and can be really effective out of dummy half. I would not be shocked at all to see him and the Hammer combine at some point.

It's going to be a trial by fire but after waiting 16 years for another team to enter the competition it's going to be one of the biggest games of the season. Anyone going to the game? There's still some tickets available but it's close to a sell-out.

Ready to stamp Redcliff DNA into the NRL, the Dolphs.

One of the greatest RL regions in history. Can only hope the Northern towns assimilate and build one of the greatest NRL dynasties of all time!

 

[Perth Red]

Presuming all tickets that are left are showing it looks a near sell out for the game. Of course it could be the usual BS ticketing system only letting you see small blocks of seats?

 

[isaiah]

Ready to stamp Redcliff DNA into the NRL, the Dolphs.

One of the greatest RL regions in history. Can only hope the Northern towns assimilate and build one of the greatest NRL dynasties of all time!

Choo Choo. Here come the Crushers version 2.

 

[Puff]

Fire up boys. First win of the season inc

 

[Big Pete]

Herman Ese'ese has been ruled out with a pectoral injury, Connelly Lemuelu takes his place in jersey #18.

Faamausili & Jennings remain on the reserves.

 

[Big Pete]

Dolphins 28 (Jamayne Isaako 2, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Mark Nicholls, Connelly Lemuelu tries; Jamayne Isaako 4/5 goals) def. Sydney Roosters 18

1-0

In what can only be described as one the best debuts of all-time, the Dolphins have pulled off an almighty upset to beat the Roosters 28-18. The key moment happened right on the verge of half-time, the Roosters led 12-6 when Felise Kaufusi forced two turn overs with two massive hits. This gave Marshall-King the opportunity to catch out some lazy defence to send Nicholls adjacent to the uprights.

The Dolphins picked up where they left off with Lemuelu having a career game, beating Sam Walker 1-1 before reaching out to give the Dolphins the lead. The Roosters began to wilt under the pressure and the Dolphins capitilised with Isaako crossing for a double in the space of 6 minutes to take the lead out to 16.

It became something of a nervous lead for the Dolphins as they were caught in the middle of extending and conserving their lead. The Roosters had plenty of time to steal the game, but the Dolphins kept turning up in defence and frustrated the Roosters into error. Their one try came off a lucky bounce and Tupou happened to just beat Tabuai-Fidow into grounding the ball.

There were plenty of stand-outs for the Dolphins. Marshall-King was the pick of the bunch in the opening stanza, playing a big role in the opening two tries and keeping the Roosters very honest around the ruck. Hammer proved a constant threat and was always a chance to come back in behind the ruck. Then of course there was the performance of Mark Nicholls and Connelly Lemuelu off the bench and today's effort will go down as one of the best in either player's careers.

I had more concerns about Isaako and Niu on the wings, but Isaako in particular was back to his 2018 best. The Roosters targeted him and Isaako did extremely well defusing several difficult kicks and producing some strong carries to get the Dolphins out of trouble.

It was a baptism by fire for Isaiya Katoa. He was on the end of some rib-ticklers and had an unhappy moment where he failed to take the kick off and the Roosters eventually scored off the back of it. That would have been the end of most young player's afternoons but he did well to bounce back and he looked sharper as the game went on.

Put your Phins Up Dolphins fans, hopefully this is just the start of a very long and fruitful history.

 

[Big Pete]

The crowd was 32,177.

I would have expected around 40,000. Granted, when the Gold Coast debuted, they drew 42,030 against the Dragons who were a big draw at that time. Rugby League was also a hotter property with Brisbane coming off a premiership and Queensland coming off their first successful campaign since 2002. The Gold Coast also had more time to assemble their roster and had bigger names attached to their club (Scott Prince, Mat Rogers, Luke Bailey, Preston Campbell etc.)

Still a disappointing figure, but in that light it was to be expected.

Going back further, the inaugural Crushers game against the defending premiers only drew a crowd of 21,102.

 

[League guru]

That was a great win. Early in the game the Roosters were getting the giddy up calls that the better sides always seem to get. However the Dolphins just toughed it out. A bit of pressure on Tedesco, Walker, Keary and Smith worked wonders with all particularly disappointing.
Gutsy effort and a great win.

 

[flippikat]

Next week's game against the Raiders at Kayo looks eminently winnable.. and round 3 against the Knights in Newcastle may not be too tough.

Dare I say they could meet the Broncos in round 4 with a bit of a roll-on?

 

[Puff]

Fire up boys. First win of the season inc

Told you boys. Hope you put your house on like I did.

keep the faith. Up the Dolphins

 

[Puff]

That was a great win. Early in the game the Roosters were getting the giddy up calls that the better sides always seem to get. However the Dolphins just toughed it out. A bit of pressure on Tedesco, Walker, Keary and Smith worked wonders with all particularly disappointing.
Gutsy effort and a great win.

Kaufusi’s crunching tackle turned the tide. Defensively good.

katoa looks a talent

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Presuming all tickets that are left are showing it looks a near sell out for the game. Of course it could be the usual BS ticketing system only letting you see small blocks of seats?

They didn't sell any of the Eastern, Nthn or Sthn upper tier for the game. Was pretty full everywhere else

 

[isaiah]

Told you boys. Hope you put your house on like I did.

keep the faith. Up the Dolphins

The only thing I would put my house on is: you won’t win ten games.

 

[Victoire]

Phinomenal win

 

[Puff]

The only thing I would put my house on is: you won’t win ten games.

Post the bet here mate. I love a winner

 

[MugaB]

Questions Raised About The Roosters Place In The NRL After Embarrassing Rd 1 Loss

WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet | CONTACT Bosses at the National Rugby League are today contemplating the state of their league, after an interesting first round of matches. Namely, questions have been raised about the NRL’s ability to sustain 17 professional teams after the Sydney Roosters turned out...

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Music to my ears