2024 NRL Round 4 Titans v Dolphins – GOLD COAST TITANS 14 DOLPHINS 30. The one-minute match report – giving you the bare minimum NRL round up in the bare minimum of time.
The Dolphins sit temporarily on top of the NRL ladder after a convincing victory over the Gold Coast Titans on the Gold Coast. It is the Dolphins second win there and third of three v Titans since their inception in 2023.
It wasn’t looking likely during the first half as the Titans took a 10-0 lead with tries to Jaimin Jolliffe and Phillip Sami by the 12th minute, and not long after Jack Bostock opened the scoring for the Dolphins, Max Plath was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop of Phillip Sami.
Titans errors meant they weren’t able to take advantage of the extra player, and the Dolphins went on to score just before the break and snatch the half time lead 12-10.
What followed after the break was an impressive half of rugby league from the Dolphins as they powered the Titans off the park, and three tries in 11 minutes from the 57th out the game beyond doubt. First Dolphins tries to Herbie Farnworth, Josh Kerr sandwiched Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s fourth try of the season, which sees him equal third on the NRL try scoring list now.
The Titans were heading for a fourth scoreless half in three games but skipped that avoidable stat with a soft consolation try to Phillip Sami in the 74th minute.
FINAL THOUGHT:
It could have been a much different result, but the resolve of the Dolphins during the ten minute sin-binning of Max Plath showed their true colours. Albeit helped with some basic Titans errors. It may not be pretty as other sides, but it is very effective. The spirit of the team is hard to match in the NRL.
It was another step up for the big name signings from the Broncos. Herbie Farnworth scored his first try and was very effective. Tom Flegler had a massive game and provided some real momentum up the middle. As did Josh Kerr off the bench for a second game in a row. Skipper Jesse Bromwich arguably had his finest game for the Dolphins also.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has left that Round 1 performance well behind and is back to being electric in attack, including a magnificent tap-on for one Jack Bostock try. But equally important is he has returned to being ultra reliable at the back too.
There’s still room for improvement, but at the time of writing the Dolphins are on top of the ladder. They might be favoured with an easy early draw and an early bye, but it is hard to argue with the manner of the two victories after the Round 1 loss to the Cowboys. For now, it doesn’t matter for how long, being on top is something to enjoy. Who would have thought. Even Wayne Bennett was smiling in the dressing rooms afterwards.
Courtesy of nrl.com
BEST OF STATS
Dolphins are currently unbeaten against the Gold Coast Titans in three games. The other side the Dolphins have a 100% record against is Cronulla.
Dolphins have now won 3/4 away games v Qld sides.
Gold Coast have lost six straight at home on a Saturday, and just two of 11 games at home to Qld opposition on a Saturday. Plus, just one of 12 home games v top eight opposition going back to 2022.
Dolphins are the first team this season to win the game after a bye. Gold Coast are one of the other two teams who didn’t.
The starting props for the Dolphins combined by five assists (Line Break or Try). Jesse Bromwich’s two Line Break Assists and one Try Assist is well on the way to bettering his 2023 tally of three and five respectively.
Josh Kerr’s 365 run metres is top ten for players off the bench in 2024.
The Dolphins win broke a run of six straight losses to lower half teams.
Jamayne Isaako’s 10 Tackle Breaks is a new single match record since he joined the Dolphins.
