DOLPHINS 18 MANLY SEA EAGLES 52
TOM SMITH, Kayo Stadium, Thursday
KIERAN FORAN kicked off his coaching career in fine style, leading Manly to a stunning win over the Dolphins.
Days after Anthony Seibold got the sack, Foran’s Sea Eagles looked like a completely different outfit under their new boss, bringing up a half century to nil before the Dolphins added three late consolation tries.
Lehi Hopoate bagged a brace and Haumole Olakau’atu ran riot, while the hosts lost England international Morgan Knowles to the sin bin for a professional foul in the first half.
The Phins entered their first game at Kayo Stadium this year as firm favourites, but their opponents’ change of coach sparked a shock upset.
It began with Tom Trbojevic on the end of a Olakau’atu bust, before Hopoate crossed twice.
Olakau’atu assisted Reuben Garrick and Luke Brooks grounded a Jamal Fogarty kick to make it 28-0 at the break.
After the restart, Eagles skipper Tom Trbojevic passed an HIA but spent the rest of the game on the bench.
It didn’t stop Manly’s momentum, as Fogarty booted a penalty goal and Olakau’atu nabbed a deserved try.
Tolutau Koula, Ben Trbojevic and Corey Waddell then made it 50, before the Dolphins eventually scored through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
‘The Hammer’ finished a long-range move for his second and Herbie Farnworth streaked away for some more consolation.
DOLPHINS: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jake Averillo, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Selwyn Cobbo, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 7 Isaiya Katoa, 8 Tom Gilbert, 9 Max Plath, 10 Felise Kaufusi, 11 Connelly Lemuelu, 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13 Morgan Knowles. Subs: 14 Brad Schneider (not used), 15 Thomas Flegler, 16 Ray Stone, 17 Francis Molo, 18 Kurt Donoghoe, 19 Trai Fuller (not used)
Tries: Tabuai-Fidow (70, 73), Farnworth (75); Goals: Isaako 3/3; Sin bin: Knowles (20) – professional foul
SEA EAGLES: 1 Tom Trbojevic, 2 Clayton Faulalo, 3 Tolutau Koula, 4 Reuben Garrick, 5 Lehi Hopoate, 6 Luke Brooks, 7 Jamal Fogarty, 8 Taniela Paseka, 9 Brandon Wakeham, 10 Kobe Hetherington, 11 Haumole Olakau’atu, 12 Ben Trbojevic, 13 Jake Trbojevic. Subs: 14 Jake Simpkin, 15 Corey Waddell, 16 Ethan Bullemor, 17 Simione Laiafi (not used), 18 Paul Bryan (not used), 19 Josh Feledy
Tries: T Trbojevic (15), Hopoate (18, 26), Garrick (34), Brooks (37), Olakau’atu (59), Koula (63), B Trbojevic (66), Waddell (68); Goals: Fogarty 8/11
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-10, 0-16, 0-22, 0-28; 0-30, 0-36, 0-40, 0-46, 0-52, 6-52, 12-52, 18-52
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Dolphins: Herbie Farnworth; Sea Eagles: Haumole Olakau’atu
Penalty count: 3-9; Half-time: 0-28; Referee: Grant Atkins