The Dolphins showed class and fight as they battled both a spirited Wests Tigers squad and a string of injuries to clinch a hard-fought 26-16 victory.
The Dolphins dominated the first half, establishing a commanding 14-0 lead with a series of impressive tries. A spirited defensive stand midway through the half thwarted relentless attacks from the Tigers, who were seeking their third consecutive win.
Possession was evenly split between both teams at halftime, but the Dolphins capitalised on their opportunities, boasting an impressive 82% completion rate compared to the Tigers’ 65%.
With new coach Benji Marshall facing his mentor Wayne Bennett, the Tigers employed a strategic approach, utilising early kicks to pin the Dolphins deep in their territory. Aidan Sezer’s two 40/20 kicks kept the Dolphins under pressure, setting the stage for a tense second half.
The Dolphins weathered a Tigers storm shortly after the break in which Solomona Faataape scored his maiden NRL try. Faataape’s double threatened to tip the scales, but errors allowed the Dolphins to extend their lead, with Kodi Nikorima adding a crucial try.
Kenny Bromwich made a top return to the starting lineup since Round 1, as he capitalised on Jeremy Marshall-King’s dummyhalf run to notch another try for the Dolphins.
While the victory was a boost for the Dolphins, it came at a heavy cost, with key players Felise Kaufusi, Tom Flegler, and Herbie Farnworth unable to finish the game due to injuries.
The Tigers also grappled with injury woes of their own, with John Bateman and Samuela Fainu sidelined due to head knocks, while debutant Latu Fainu succumbed to a hamstring strain.
