2024 NRL Round 11 Wests Tigers v Dolphins – TIGERS 12 DOLPHINS 24. The one-minute match report – giving you the bare minimum NRL round up in the bare minimum of time.
The Dolphins remain in the top four after grinding out a 24-12 win over the Wests Tigers to sign off another hugely successful Magic Weekend.
Jack Bostock got the scoring underway in the 12th minute, finishing off a move as he does so well this season – he is equal top try scorer after all. Mark Nicholls then charged over beside the posts from close range in the 25th minute to double the lead to 12-0.
It wasn’t all Dolphins though, as the Wests Tigers had plenty of ball and led the Dolphins 24-8 for tackles inside the 20m zone in the first half, just some poor last tackle options kept them scoreless until the 35th minute. That score was a try by Justin Olam, with a hint of the final pass being quite flat. The 12-6 scoreline remained until half time, but importantly just before the break Brent Naden was sent to the sin bin for a swinging arm on Jack Bostock who was already on the ground diving on a loose ball.
The Dolphins went on the attack with the extra player and were denied more points when The Bunker intervened for a Euan Aitken try for obstruction. The Bunker proving to be the least popular thing at Magic Round and that decision wasn’t the worst of the weekend, but still looked harsh. Never fear though, for a few minutes later the Tigers were down to 11 players as Justin Olam was sin binned for dangerous contact masquerading as a sort-of hip drop tackle. Minutes later the Dolphins extended their lead through a spectacular try to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Although, The Bunker could well have ruled this one out for a small knock from Jeremy Marshall-King too. They didn’t for some reason and the score extended to 18-6.
Wests Tigers continued to fight and reduced the gap to six points when Api Koroisau scored whilst they had only 12 players on the field. A nervous finish was put to bed in the 69th minute when The Hammer crossed for his second try of the match, and a 24-12 win was secured.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Dolphins got away with that one. A better side with the opportunities the Wests Tigers had close to the Dolphins line would have put the Dolphins away on Sunday night. Luckily the Tigers last tackle options were usually woeful. The Dolphins also squandered some great attacking opportunities and should have been much further ahead. In particular, the Herbie Farnworth-Jack Bostock combination looking a little unsure on more than one occasion. Thankfully there was enough spirit and effort, and the return of a certain fullback to get the Dolphins over the line. And for perspective, the Dolphins record of seven wins and three losses is currently the same as the all-conquering Penrith Panthers, and just two more points scored would have seen the Dolphins leap the triple premiers into third. Top four at Magic Round? Most would have said you were mad if you tipped that at the start of the season.
The Hammer is back, and if that’s his effort in his first game back from injury then Woof for the rest of 2024. He was solid at the back as ever, but he looked line break ready with every second touch, and could and probably should have added to his two tries scored against the Tigers. Just a lazy 234 running metres tonight with a line break. As good as Trai Fuller has been for the Dolphins, having Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow back is a good thing. Maybe a way can be worked to have both for games later in the season.
Euan Aitken has had a very good 2024 and had arguably his best game for the Dolphins this season against the Tigers. One wonders if he played for a side in NSW that he would be being mentioned more seriously for State of Origin given his work ethic and versatility. However, selfishly as a Dolphins fans we will be happy to keep him in the side during Origin period and given we are a Queensland based website we hope NSW picks the worst side they can manage.
Quick shout out to Mark Nicholls, who is turning into a try scoring machine, and gives it his all every week, a wonderful re-signing for 2025. And Isiaya Katoa, who sometimes you have to pinch yourself that he is so young and only in his second season of NRL given the way he controls a game.
Finally, perhaps next season the Dolphins can get a better timeslot than Sunday post 6pm. Although, one shouldn’t complain, as it is another away game in Brisbane.
Courtesy of nrl.com
BEST OF STATS
Dolphins are undefeated this season v Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium. They are also undefeated in their alternative black coloured jersey. They are also undefeated in two Sunday 6pm games this season.
Dolphins are the only team left with a 100% record v Sydney teams in 2024 – 5/5.
Dolphins are W2 L1 as the away side at Suncorp Stadium.
Wests Tigers have won only one of their last 22 Sunday games.
Dolphins are one of only four teams to not lose a game when leading at half time (5 half time leads). The others are Cronulla (3), Melbourne (7) and Canberra (4). Dolphins also top the competition for average points scored in the second half (15.4).
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s 234 run metres is his best single game effort for the 2024 season and fourth best overall for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins missed more tackles than the Tigers by 44-28. It was actually the third highest single game tally of Missed Tackles + Ineffective Tackles by a side that won in 2024 so far.
