Round 8 vs. Newcastle Knights Discussion

[Big Pete]

Dolphins vs. Newcastle Knights
Suncorp Stadium, Sunday 28 April 2024
Kick Off: 2:00pm

1. Trai Fuller 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. Mark Nicholls 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath

14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Ray Stone 17. Oryn Keeley

18. Mason Teague 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Valynce Te Whare 22. Connelly Lemuelu

1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott

14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Brodie Jones

18. Mathew Croker 19. Thomas Cant 20. Jack Cogger 21. Will Pryce 22. Krystian Mapapalangi​

 

[isaiah]

Wayne and his phins can officially end the knights season, just like he left the knights in a mess with back-ended contracts when he finished there

 

[Puff]

Wayne and his phins can officially end the knights season, just like he left the knights in a mess with back-ended contracts when he finished there

He put them on life support. They were a rabble before he got there.

 

[Big Pete]

The big feature for the Dolphins in 2024 is their ability to attack down both edges of the field. Last year Isaako was their popular target but with Bostock going from strength to strength, the Dolphins can go sideline to sideline and spread the defence.

It plays to Katoa's strength as well since he loves to play with width.

The big test this week will be the right-side defensively. Kenny Bromwich, Kodi Nikorima, Jake Averillo and Jamayne Isaako are going to have to pressure the Knights early and try to target Pearce-Paul to help blunt his effectiveness with the ball.

Newcastle themselves can be exposed around the middle, so I expect to see a lot of inside runs and short passes to help bring Plath, Nikorima and Fuller into the game.

Dolphins go in as deserved favourites which is a remarkable achievement considering they're without five of their best players (Hammer, Herbie, Flegler, Lemuelu, Gilbert). Yes, Newcastle have their own problems, but a win would be amazing for morale moving forward and creating that next man up mind-set that's so crucial in the NRL.

 

[Big Pete]

Newcastle Knights 18 def. Dolphins 14 (Oryn Keeley, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo tries; Jamayne Isaako 1/3 goals)

4-3

The Dolphins made a late fist of things but it wasn't to be. A slow start allowed the Knights to establish a 10-0 lead and despite creating opportunities, the Dolphins failed to capitilise until it was too late. To add insult to injury, the Dolphins lost both Bromwich brothers mid-game and it eventually took it's toll.

To their credit, Newcastle played well and deserved the win, but certainly one of those games where the Dolphins let themselves down.

In a losing effort, Trai Fuller was very impressive with 3 line-breaks and 10 tackle breaks. It wasn't a perfect game by any means, but he's proven to be a very useful replacement for the Hammer and should hold his spot until the Hammer returns.

 

[gUt]

Luke Lewis called it before the game: if the Knights play simple, direct and intense, they can win.