GOLD COAST TITANS 20 DOLPHINS 24
IAN HOWE, Cbus Super Stadium, Friday
THE DOLPHINS have secured third place in the NRL ladder to qualify for the play-offs for the first time in the club’s history since it entered the competition in 2023.
And they did it by coming from behind in a dramatic match on the Gold Coast, with their star player Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow running for 261 metres.
The Titans led by 14 points in the 16th minute through converted tries by Jayden Campbell, who collected a Lachlan Ilias bomb superbly out of the hands of Tabuai-Fidow, and AJ Brimson, with Campbell adding a penalty.
The Dolphins began their fightback with a Tabuai-Fidow try and then Herbie Farnworth showed typically smart footwork to cross for their second try.
Two points behind at the interval, the Dolphins scored two quick tries in the second half from Ray Stone and Tabuai-Fidow’s long-distance second to put them firmly in command.
The Titans responded when Campbell intercepted deep in his own half and ran the length of the field to put them within four points with eight minutes remaining, but that was as good as it got for the Gold Coast as the Dolphins celebrated a historic achievement.
TITANS: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Siale Faeamani, 3 Jaylan De Groot, 4 AJ Brimson, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Jayden Campbell, 7 Lachlan Ilias, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Luke Sommerton, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11 Kurtis Morrin, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Chris Randall. Subs: 14 Klese Haas, 15 Cooper Bai, 16 Bodhi Sharpley (not used), 17 Sam Verrills, 19 Sunny Kama (not used), 22 Arama Hau
Tries: Campbell (7, 71), Brimson (10); Goals: Campbell 4/4; Sin bin: Kini (23) – professional foul, Fotuaika (79) – striking an opponent
DOLPHINS: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jack Bostock, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Tevita Naufahu, 20 Jake Averillo, 7 Isaiya Katoa, 8 Thomas Flegler, 9 Jeremy Marshall-King, 10 Tom Gilbert, 11 Max Plath, 18 Brian Pouniu, 13 Morgan Knowles. Subs: 14 Kurt Donoghue, 15 Ray Stone, 16 Francis Molo, 17 Felise Kaufusi (not used), 19 Brad Schneider (not used), 21 Connelly Lemuelu
Tries: Tabuai-Fidow (25, 48), Farnworth (28), Stone (45); Goals: Isaako 4/4
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 14-0, 14-6, 14-12; 14-18, 14-24, 20-24
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Titans: Phillip Sami; Dolphins: Hamiso Tabui-Fidow
Penalty count: 7-4; Half-time: 14-12; Referee: Wyatt Raymond; Attendance: 17,053