The Redcliffe Dolphins have secured the Queensland Cup with a hard-fought 36-22 win over a brave Easts Tigers outfit at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Fullback Trai Fuller starred for the home side, scoring two tries as the minor premiers claimed their first title since 2006.
Redcliffe opened the scoring through a penalty goal but it was the Tigers who crossed over for the first try of the afternoon through Conor Carey in the 11th minute.
The Dolphins quickly hit back when Fuller sliced over for his first four-pointer and they soon extended their lead to six when Jeremy Hawkins snatched a Cameron Cullen bomb in the 26th minute.
After surrendering an early lead, the Tigers suffered another setback as five-eighth Billy Walters was helped from the field with a knee injury.
The Dolphins proceeded to push out to an eight-point lead when Kotoni Staggs nailed his third conversion of the afternoon.
But just as they appeared to be cruising to a comfortable halftime lead, Redcliffe conceded a late try to Marion Seve who soared over out wide in the 38th minute.
Errors cruelled the Tigers’ chances in the second forty and they immediately found themselves on the backfoot when Fuller stepped through the Easts’ defence to post an early double.
The Dolphins went further ahead in the 47th minute when Staggs pounced onto a brilliant bat back by Aaron Whitchurch.
Yet the Tigers refused to go away, reducing the deficit back to 10 points when Jake Foster crashed over in the 56th minute off a lovely short ball from Tom Butterfield.
In a seesawing affair, the Dolphins reasserted their dominance when Nathan Watts steamed onto a Bryce Donovan grubber before Tigers fullback Scott Drinkwater immediately responded with a try of his own off the following set.
Despite their bravery, Easts couldn’t get it done in the end, with a 79th minute try to Dolphins centre Tom Opacic securing the victory.
Redcliffe now travel to ANZ Stadium next Sunday to take on the Bulldogs in the State Championship, with kick-off advertised for 3:40pm (AEST).
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
I think he was referring to Sam Kasiano Nat but I'm not sure why it was worth picking up on.
Nat
Roar Guru
What "big forward" am I on about? I never wrote that at all so what are you on about?
buttery
Roar Rookie
That big forward your on about only weighs 82kgs and is about the same size, so I'm not sure what you were watching.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Apologies Ross - thought I heard them say it was Slyney in the call. Will amend now!
Ross
Guest
The "bat back" was not Nick Slyney it was in fact Aaron Whitchurch. Great game and great result!
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am less loathed to support the Dolphins over Easts so that is a bonus. I think that was Fullers 9th QRL game. I hope he goes on with it. His size will put many off though, unfortunately. Mango basically did play in the halves there for a while.
Nat
Roar Guru
As much as I'm loathed to support Recliffe, next week they are the Qld reps so I will. I doubt/hope they don't get overawed by the big stadium like PNG last year. Rudolf was beast from that first, what 40-50m?, run and not afraid of the microphone either ;) As I say, I don't make that Bowen/Barba comparison lightly. I was in Townsville when Mango first came through and that's why he came to mind, a dominutive little fella that could not get hands on him. Mind you Mango developed into such a quality player he could have played halves with ease (IMO). Barba more the opportunist in a good way. Fuller is quick, watching him get across the ground in general play, sweeping both sides, getting to kicks impressed me no end. I should preface this by my 20 beers consumed by FT so could be talking it up more than was there. I will watch the TV replay I taped to confirm reality or exaggeration.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It was a great game. Fuller was very impressive( I don't think he has the speed of Barba let alone Bowen but I am happy to be proven wrong), so was Toby Rudolf. Looking forward to the Dolphins against the Bulldogs next week more than the NRL.
Nat
Roar Guru
Talk about entertainment to open proceedings, the butchered anthem was hilarious. Poor girl, may have been her biggest audience and stage fright got the better of her. I'm sure next time will be 100% better. For mine, this game was the Trai Fuller show. TBH, I knew very little about him but this kid from Eidsvold was a star, a solid mix of Ben Barba and Matty Bowen and I don't say that lightly. 2 tries from nothing but an impressive defensive effort. On one occasion he ran down an intercept (taken by a forward so...), in the tackle he poicked him up, dropped him to force the error. Another run coming out their red zone he broke two attempted tackles with 2 x 360 spins - in the air - in opposite directions! That is crazy balance and deception. His 1st half efforts essentially put the dolphins in complete control. Easts forwards weren't as dominant as recent weeks but gee their backs are classy, their wide plays and quick hands caught Redcliffe a few times. Big Sam Kasiano is a fair name to have coming off the bench but not his best showing unfortunately. You could see him trying hard to create/intimidate but mostly ended in errors and penalties. In all, a very high quality game that represented the quality stock both teams are developing for Brisbane and Melbourne.