Round 24 vs. Sydney Roosters Discussion

[Big Pete]

Sydney Roosters vs. Dolphins
Allianz Stadium, Saturday 12 August 2023
Kick Off: 7:35pm

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

14. Sandon Smith 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Terrell May 17. Dylan Napa

18. Fetalaiga Pauga 19. Elie El Zakhem 20. Jake Turpin 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Corey Allan

1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

14. Ray Stone 15. Josh Kerr 16. Anthony Milford 17. Jarrod Wallace

18. Herman Ese'ese 19. Max Plath 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Harrison Graham 22. Jack Bostock​

 

[Big Pete]

With the season all but over, the Dolphins travel down to Allianz to face the Roosters. Sydney are looking to keep their season alive and will be looking to make short work of the Dolphins.

Wayne Bennett's men have only managed to win one game in their past eight encounters and the run the risk of ending the season on a whimper.

In some good news, Ray Stone has been named to return form his hand injury. The Dolphins sorely missed his defence in the middle against the Knights and he should add some much-needed resistance to The Dolphins.

Interestingly Bennett has chosen to persist with Tabuai-Fidow in the centres. 'The Hammer' has been a sensation for the Dolphins this season, but he's struggled to make an impact in the position. Is the move a reflection of how well Kodi Nikorima has performed this season, or just how dire things are in the centres without Farnworth and Averillo?

 

[League guru]

I find the selection of Hammer in the centres interesting. Fullback in the current game is seen as an important spine position more so that centre. I would prefer Hammer at FB with anybody else in the centres. But, in Wayne we trust.

 

[Big Pete]

Sydney Roosters 30 def Dolphins 14 (Ray Stone, Jamayne Isaako tries; Jamayne Isaako 3/3 goals)

8-13

The Dolphins led 8-0 until the Roosters crossed right on the stroke of half-time. It had been another gutsy Dolphins performance up until that point as they had denied the Roosters on several occasions. Then with one of their rare opportunities, Ray Stone came onto the field, challenged the Roosters and managed to get the better of three defenders to open the scoring.

However the try right on half-time proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back. The Dolphins just couldn't shut the Roosters attack down and with the defensive line at sixes and sevens, Tedesco was able to link up with Manu to gift the Roosters all the momentum leading into the break.

The Roosters ran roughshod in the second half and the Dolphins couldn't go with them. Then to make matters worse both Connelly Lemuelu, Kenny Bromwich and Jeremy Marshall-King had to come from the field due to injury. Then to add insult to injury, Ray Stone was sent to the sin-bin after he caught Drew Hutchinson with a head high tackle. Hutchinson fell into the tackle and while it didn't set a precedent, at the same time, players have been let off for much worse.

It was largely a second half to forget for the Dolphins. The only highlight was Jarrod Wallace making up for an earlier mistake and throwing a lovely flick pass to gift the Dolphins a consolation try.

Losing Lemuelu so early on really hurt the Dolphins penetration down that left hand side. Kenny Bromwich has been a wonderful player but his days on an edge are numbered and he eventually had to come from the field as well. Marshall-King was clearly struggling with his shoulder as well and there were times he was struggling to even pass the ball. It was especially noticeable in the opening set of the second half where players were holding up on their runs because Marshall-King failed to time the pass.

It was a gritty effort and they certainly didn't lose any admirers. However they're just short on talent and injuries are really beginning to take their toll.

 

[Puff]

Strong finish to the season, with a few new players for next year!!!!!!