Round 22 vs. Sydney Roosters Discussion

[Big Pete]

Dolphins vs. Sydney Roosters
HBF Park (Perth), Friday 2 August 2024
Kick Off: 8:00pm

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 17. Sean O'Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 18. Oryn Keeley 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 19. Tesi Niu

6. Kodi Nikorima 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 20. Anthony Milford 21. Mason Teague 22. Trai Fuller

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson

14. Sitili Tupouniua 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May

18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Ethan King 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Robert Toia​

 

[Big Pete]

Sydney Roosters 40 def. Dolphins 34 (Max Plath, Felise Kaufusi, Jamayne Isaako, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jack Bostock tries; Jamayne Isaako 6/6, Isaiya Katoa 1/1 goals)

9-10

Dolphins led 26-20 after Averillo set up a great try for Hamiso only to surrender the ball straight after. Sydney scored back to back tries, added a third shortly after and it was virtually game. It didn't stop the Dolphins from trying to make a game of it and when Manu got himself binned with 10 to go, the Dolphins found themselves on the front foot.

They nearly made it a 40-36 game late in the game, only for Isaako to suffer an unfortunate ankle injury in the corner. As a result of the injury, nobody could make it to dummy half and it just gave Sydney enough time to stave off the Dolphins.

I thought it was a slow start from the Dolphins. They got out-muscled early and actually did pretty well to keep the Roosters to 12. Tedesco all but scored only for Farnworth to come up with a great try-saving effort to dislodge the ball. Unfortunately rookie mistakes invited the Roosters back in and Sam Walker took full advantage with some great play.

Then some luck fell the Dolphins way. The Roosters gave away some penalties while in possession and a few of their players suffered injuries that caused a reshuffle. Victor Radley in particular had to go for an HIA and while he was off the field the Dolphins were able to level the scores.

Still at 26-20, the Dolphins put themselves in position but just couldn't take advantage. The Roosters found a lot of success running down the left edge with O'Sullivan, Averillo and later Niu all being caught out. In the case of O'Sullivan and Niu, I don't think they have that many chances left in their career, at least at the Dolphins.

The one thing is that a lot of teams in the Dolphins shoes would have rolled over early. However the Dolphins rarely know when they've been beat and have a knack of turning the most one-sided games into a contest. It seemed like the Roosters felt like they had done enough at various stages, only for the Dolphins to spook them. If the Dolphins keep improving, they'll be too hard to handle.