Round 2 vs. Canberra Raiders Discussion

[Big Pete]

Dolphins vs. Canberra Raiders
Kayo Stadium, Saturday 11 March 2023
Kick Off: 4:30pm (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

14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Kurt Donoghoe

18. Poasa Faamausili 19. JJ Collins 20. Kodi Nikorima 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Pasami Saulo 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera

14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler

18. James Schiller 19. Matt Frawley 20. Zac Woolford 21. Trey Mooney 22. Peter Hola​

 

[Big Pete]

The Dolphins are expected to be 1-17 for Saturday's clash against the Raiders. Jarrod Wallace had to come from the field mid-way through the game with a shoulder complaint but he was able to return later in the contest.

Herman Ese'ese is expected to miss the next fortnight with a pectoral injury with his return slated for Round 4.

Meanwhile the Raiders will welcome back Josh Papalii from a calf injury. Papalii will likely come into the starting team with Saulo, Mariota, Horsborough and Guler duking it out for that final bench spot. Jordan Rapana has accepted a three match ban for his shoulder charge on Scott Drinkwater with Albert Hopoate slated to be his replacement.

I can see this being a really physical game. Canberra are always at their best when they play off the back of second phase and they have some of the best exponents in the game. If the Dolphins muscle up they can create space for Marshall-King, O'Sullivan and Tabuai-Fidow in and around the ruck.

The biggest challenge for the Dolphins will be backing up their best performances. That will be put to the test here, albeit it's another home game coming up against a team coming off a loss.

 

[Puff]

Coming down and dealing with the highs of last week will be hard to manage.

I feel the Raiders second up is a good game for us. However, I think we may not see the same energy levels.

Will be close, hoping for a win.

 

[Big Pete]

In bold are the player changes. Ray Stone is out with a knee injury, Penrith Panthers junior Mason Teague is set to make his NRL debut off the bench. Kodi Nikorima has been named on the extended bench.

Meanwhile Josh Papalii has been left out of the Raiders squad. The only change is Albert Hopoate coming into replace the suspended Jordan Rapana.

It's good to see Bennett give another young player an opportunity, especially when spirits are high.

 

[MugaB]

Ray stone is a big out, his clean up tackles in the middle were unnoticed, works very hard...
I like tom gilbert, but geez he need to concentrate on his ball handling, not that i am worried about the dolphin defence, but if he cleans that up, there'll be less pressure on the whole team.. O'Sullivan is turning out to be a rock in guiding the team, it will be interesting watching him vs Fogarty and a few weeks time up against reynolds, they are all three very similar

 

[Puff]

Hoping the defense plays like they did last week.

Ray Stone is a big out, but leaders like Kaufusi is what gave them attitude, and defense is all about attitude.

We have a few weapons out wide, if we play patient. And don't panic under the forward pressure of the Raiders we can win. This will be won in the forwards, and we have leaders there to get us through.

Quietly confident

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Dolphin Oval needs to knock down the eastern stand and replace it with one that has two tiers and a roof. The northeast and southeast corners need seats, too. The drainage needs to be improved.

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Great atmosphere. Add a other 10 or 15k seats and it'll be a great stadium.

That sin bin call was bullshit.

How the f**k is that a sin bin when Rapana got away with far worse last week?

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Well done Redcliffe!

That was great!

Every RL fan from Brisbane should stand up and applaud with pride.

 

[Big Pete]

Dolphins 20 (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2, Tom Gilbert tries; Jamayne Isaako 4/4 goals) def. Canberra Raiders 14

2-0

The Dolphins clawed their way back from 12-0 to beat the Raiders in the wet.

It was a poor start from the Dolphins. They created early opportunities but kept pushing passes and gifting the Raiders opportunities. When Marshall-King was sent to the sin-bin for a hip-drop tackle, it seemed like the game was about to get ugly. However the Dolphins rallied, played to the conditions and were rewarded when Hammer was able to clean up a O'Sullivan grubber to score.

Canberra were well on top for the majority of the second half but the Dolphins defended their line stoutley. Tabuai-Fidow and Isaako in particular defused a number of tough kicks and just kept the Raiders at bay. Then they were able to turn defence into attack and the presence of Hammer around the ruck and O'Sullivan's kicking game proved too much for the Raiders to handle.

Plenty of controversy in the game with both teams on the end of some questionable calls. I thought the Raiders got the better of the whistle in the second half, before fortunes changed in the second half. The sin-bin on O'Sullivan in particular was a contentious call. Fortunately for the Dolphins they were able to regroup at the death.

Kaufusi came up with another rib rattler and was unfortunate to be called for a knock-on. The hit deserved a better reward than a six again for Canberra.

I thought the young guys played well again. Katoa timed the match-winning pass to perfection to send Tabuai-Fidow over and in general his kicking game was quite strong. Teague off the bench was brought on early and looked very likely around the ruck.

 

[Puff]

Get in boys!!!!!

Newcastle next. Top of the league after round 3. Let’s do it