SUNDAY, JUNE 30th, 2024 NETSTRATA JUBILEE STADIUM, KOGARAH,SYDNEY
Dragons’ Must-Win Situation
The Dragons have had a mixed run lately: they lost to the Sea Eagles two weeks ago, dominated the Tigers the week before, were defeated by the Panthers the week before that, and were soundly beaten by the Bulldogs the week prior. This game is a must win for them, as they battle to stay in touch with the Top 8. They are currently on 18 points, but in 9th place on points differential.
State of Origin Players’ Impact
Both sides will have potentially have players backing up from State of Origin mid-week, with Ben Hunt, Jaydn Su’a and Zac Lomax for the home side and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow plus Felise Kaufusi for the Dolphins. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow suffered a shoulder injury in Origin and will be replaced by Trai Fuller at fullback.
At this stage you would expect three of the four to play, as it wouldn’t surprise if Kaufusi has the week off with the excellent Josh Kerr currently 18th man.
Dolphins’ Recent Form and Injury Update
It’s a timely boost for the Dragons this week with Mosese Suli returning to the starting lineup. His presence will be crucial, especially considering the recent form of Dolphins’ offseason signings, Jake Averillo and Herbie Farnworth, in the centre. Both were blunted a little last week after winger Jack Bostock left the field early. The Dolphins will miss Jack Bostock’s energy, speed, and skill under the high ball, as he has been one of the revelations of the 2024 season. However, in Tesi Niu, they have a capable replacement. Niu started the season as a first-choice centre.
The Dolphins had a heart-breaking finish to their clash with the Melbourne Storm last week, with coach Wayne Bennett suggesting that they didn’t lose, they just ran out of time. They are still very much in contention for a crucial Top 4 spot and have likely earmarked this game as a win. They just need to complete the mission against one of Bennett’s former teams.
Jack Bird has been named among a gang of five players on an extended bench for the Dragons. Bird looks the most likely to sneak into the matchday team and will provide an extra punch for the home side. With the Origin players backing up, the benches become important, and one could argue that the Dolphins have a slight edge.
Dragons
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Michael Molo 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Jesse Marschke 22. Jack Bird 23. Fa’amanu Brown
Dragons’ Bench and Key Players
Early signs on Tevita PangaiJunior last weekend in his NRL return were very promising with his offloads causing the Storm some trouble, and with the quiet achievers Mark Nicholls and Ray Stone giving it their all they are well covered. That’s not to say that the Dragons bench doesn’t have their claims too.
Key Battle: Master vs. Apprentice
The key battle for the game will likely be between the halfbacks in a master versus apprentice style head-to-head matchup. To underline their importance these two halfbacks on show this Sunday are the top two for kicking metres in the NRL in 2024. Ben Hunt has been as good as ever this season, leading the competition with 20 try assists. Most have forgotten about his near departure in 2023.
Isaiva Katoa is the most promising young halfback in the NRL, and his development during 2024 has been outstanding after getting an extended run in the position, and the Dolphins have wisely recently re-signed him for many more seasons to come. His combination with Kodi Nikorima has been a joy to watch. Both halves are surrounded by enough firepower in the backs to win this game, so it’s up to these midfield maestros to orchestrate their best performance.
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Felise Kaufusi 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Tevita Pangai Junior 18. Josh Kerr 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Kurt Donoghoe 21. Trai Fuller 22. Oryn Keeley
I think the Hammer will be rested after his Origin injury, and Trai Fuller will play fullback.
Referee. Adam Gee, Touch Judges, Wyatt Raymond, Daniel Schwass, Bunker, Gerard Sutton;
Key Stats Highlight Dragons’ and Dolphins’ Seasonal Challenges Ahead of Crucial Clash
The Dragons have conceded 122 points in their past four games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
The Dolphins have won five from seven away from home this season.
Dragons winger Zac Lomax has scored 48 points in his last two home games.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine tries in his past seven games.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will take charge of his 200th game as NRL coach.
Prediction.
Both teams come into the game with inconsistent form, with the Dragons winning and losing two of their last four games and the Dolphins last four record being one win and three losses. Both sides have overcome highly favored opponents recently, with the Dragons upsetting a depleted Penrith and the Dolphins defeating Cronulla in recent weeks. St George-Illawarra’s form all season has been inconsistent , with the Dragons unable to put more than two of any result together in 2024.
Some media discussion about the Dolphins has focused on the accusation that Wayne Bennett is essentially coaching two teams, leading to the Dolphins’ struggles. However, the results don’t tell the whole story. The loss to Melbourne was arguably one of their best performances of the season, and they narrowly lost to Canberra in golden point.. Four of their six losses have been by six points or less. And their current fifth position is a few places higher than pre season expectations, so it’s not panic stations yet.
This will be the fourth clash between these sides in two seasons, with all wins going to the home team so far. The most recent encounter saw the Dolphins defeat the Dragons 38-0, marking the new franchise’s best attacking and defensive performance in a game. This is only the Dolphins’ second match in Sydney this season, but their first two rounds ago resulted in a win against the high-flying Sharks.
The Dolphins seem to like paying NRL sides from Sydney this season, they have a 100% record against Sydney sides at all grounds over six games in 2024.
Another thing going against the Dragons is Sunday. They have lost 10 of their last 11 Sunday games. The Dolphins aren’t much better this season with two wins and three losses.
I am a Dolphins fan and a Bennett fan, until he goes to Souths anyway, so I will go with the Dolphins in a close finish.
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