SATURDAY, JUNE 1st, 2024 KAYO STADIUM REDCLIFFE MORETON BAY
Both teams are seeking redemption after suffering Round 12 losses, following their respective wins at Magic Round.
Dolphins Look to Bounce Back After Loss to Warriors
The Dolphins have had a surprisingly strong start to the season, boasting seven wins and four losses (plus a bye), placing them in fourth position. However, they fell short last week against an extremely depleted Warriors side away from home, lacking cohesion and flair.
With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi in the QLD Origin camp, Trai Fuller returns to the fullback position, Mark Nicholls moves from the bench to starting prop, and Anthony Milford joins the bench.
Other than these forced changes, the team remains unchanged from the side who were defeated by the Warriors.
The Dolphins are determined to secure a victory upon their return to Kayo Stadium as they aim to rebound from a disappointing trip to the Warriors.
Raiders Aim to Regain Form After Roosters Loss
Wayne Bennett’s men fell 24-20 to an undermanned Warriors side and are seeking an immediate response when they host the Raiders on Saturday.
This will be the Dolphins’ first match at their Redcliffe base since their 38-0 drubbing of the Dragons in Round 2.
Key Line-up Changes for Dolphins
Fullback Trai Fuller is set to return to the No.1 jersey with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on Queensland Origin duties.
LATE MAIL Dolphins Line-up Reshuffle
The Dolphins have had to reshuffle their halves after five-eighth Kodi Nikorima was ruled out of Saturday’s clash with the Raiders due to a minor calf injury.
Anthony Milford is promoted off the bench to partner Isaiya Katoa, the 29-year-old starting his first game of the season as the off-contract gun fights for his career
Ricky Stuart’s side is also looking to rebound after a disappointing 44-16 loss to the Roosters on Saturday afternoon.
Canberra has endured an up-and-down season, with injuries to key players making it difficult to build consistency.
Despite the challenges, they currently sit eighth on the ladder, and a win will see them draw level with the fourth-placed Dolphins on 16 points.
Key Raiders Line-up Adjustments
Josh Papalii returns for the Raiders after serving a one-match suspension. Ata Mariota moves from the bench to the starting side with Hudson Young on Origin duty for the Blues. Peter Hola has been dropped to the reserves, while Simi Sasagi moves into the starting 17.
These teams met twice during the 2023 season, and both came away with one win. The Dolphins won their first meeting, 20-14, then the Dolphins lost their second match-up in a golden point thriller.
Dolphins
1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Ray Stone 17. Anthony Milford 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Edrick Lee
Raiders
1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris , 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi, 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Ata Mariota 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies , 14. Tom Starling 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Emre Guler 18. Albert Hopoate, 19. Zac Woolford 20. Peter Hola 21. Michael Asomua 22. Hohepa Puru
Referee: Adam Gee, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Phil Henderson, Bunker, Peter Gough
Statistics
The Dolphins have won three of their four games at Kayo Stadium.
Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana has scored four tries in his past three games on Queensland soil.
The Dolphins have won six of their past eight games at Queensland venues.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has won only three of his past 12 games against Wayne Bennett-coached teams.
Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored six tries in his past five games.
Prediction
Both sides have had a rocky start to the year and are navigating losses due to injuries and Origin selection. The Raiders are a resilient team that never gives up, so the Dolphins will need to play the full game to secure a win.
This really should be a win to the Dolphins, but you never know what the Raiders are going to produce on any given day. If you are looking for a roughie, the Raiders could give you some value against a Dolphins side that remains very beatable.
Despite missing their star fullback, I believe the Dolphins can get the job done. Trai Fuller should help fill the void, and the Phins should be able to bounce back from their narrow loss against the Warriors. I’m predicting a close game.
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