Round 6 vs. Brisbane Broncos Discussion

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos vs. Dolphins
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 12 April 2024
Kick Off: 8:00pm

1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Tristan Sailor

18. Martin Taupau 19. Benjamin Te Kura 20. Jordan Pereira 21. Blake Mozer 22. Josiah Karapani

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Euan Aitken 13. Ray Stone

14. Josh Kerr 15. Anthony Milford 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Jarrod Wallace

18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Mason Teague 21. Valynce Te Whare 22. Lachlan Hubner​

 

[Big Pete]

The Dolphins have an opportunity to set a club record four straight wins as they go into the battle of Brisbane. Both teams have to had to deal with injuries in the lead-up, both Herbie Farnworth (AC Joint) and Felise Kaufusi (Hamstring) have been ruled out while Thomas Flegler (AC Joint) will be racing the clock to prove his fitness. Flegler is tough and he's determined to make a statement against his former club, so I expect to see him out there on Friday.

The game will also mark Anthony Milford's return following Kurt Donoghoe's suspension. Milford missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury and made his return on the weekend with the Capras. Milford's time in the NRL is running out, so a big game will be vital to both him and the Dolphins.

Interesting to note the selection of Lachlan Hubner as a reserve. Hubner is not an official member of the NRL squad but has been impressing in QRL for years at the Capras. The Dolphins have room in their NRL squad, so they may have signed him before the Round 11 deadline for Train and Trial players - otherwise it appears that they're just recognising his efforts at Rocky.

If the Dolphins can turn the game into an arm wrestle and allow Marshall-King to get on top they'll have a field day on their right side. My concern is Niu and the Broncos returning fire down the Dolphins left. The loss of Reynolds certainly makes life easier but they can't afford a repeat of Round 1.

 

[Puff]

The difference here is that Tesi has Katoa in the halves rather than SOS.

It will be a good test and a tight game.

Kicking will be a key, Katoa needs to keep it away from Walsh.

I think the outs for both teams make it fair play for both.

 

[Big Pete]

Thomas Flegler has been ruled out with Lachlan Hubner to debut off the bench.

Nice to see some recognition from the Dolphins. He's not a flashy player, but works hard and should hold that middle while Wallace and Kerr throw some caution to the wind.

 

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos 28 def. Dolphins 14 (Jarrod Wallace, Jack Bostock, Jamayne Isaako tries; Jamayne Isaako 1/3 goals)

3-2

The Battle of Brisbane started well for the Dolphins. They were able to apply the pressure early through their kicking game and were unlucky not to have enjoyed an earlier lead. Kenny Bromwich made a big line-break down the right-edge and had the Hammer looming in support but for whatever reason couldn't link up with him.

Unfortunately it was an early night for the Hammer who sustained a reported hip injury while attempting to chase down Corey Oates after the whistle had been blown. The whole situation was completely unnecessary, but it completely changed the attacking structures of the Dolphins.

To their credit the Dolphins were able to draw first blood after they capitilised on an error from Corey Oates.

However without their missing players the Dolphins struggled to capitilise off the momentum and in the end did well to keep Brisbane to just six points. It appeared that Brisbane were going to score another try right on the shadow of half-time, but Kodi made a great try-saving tackle to dislodge the ball.

That should have inspired them at half-time, but it seemed without the Hammer they lost confidence and made far too many errors. Just about every Broncos tries came directly from a Dolphins error and at 28-4 with 20 to go it was beginning to look ugly. Fortunately the Dolphins rallied and laid on two of the best tries of the night to add some respectability to the scoreline.

The first was to Jack Bostock who did a great Xavier Coates impersonation to dot down in the corner. The other was from Isaako who turned Sailor completely inside and out to score in the corner.

Anthony Milford in his big return game for the Dolphins had an evening to forget and he'll likely be overlooked for the Eels game.

 

[Puff]

Didn’t mind our performance.

At full strength it’s a different game.

We have been unlucky injuries wise