Dolphins
20
Match Complete
Parramatta Eels
48
| J. Isaako |  | 67 | ||
| H. Tabuai-Fidow |  | 66 | ||
| 65 | | M. Moses | ||
| 63 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| V. T. Whare | | 55 | ||
| J. Isaako | | 50 | ||
| H. Tabuai-Fidow | | 49 | ||
| 40 | | M. Moses | ||
| 38 | | S. Russell | ||
| 33 | | M. Moses | ||
| 31 | | B. Simonsson | ||
| 26 | | M. Moses | ||
| 25 | | W. Penisini | ||
| 24 | | M. Moses | ||
| 23 | | C. Gutherson | ||
| 22 | | M. Moses | ||
| 20 | | W. Penisini | ||
| 13 | | M. Moses | ||
| 11 | | J. Hopgood | ||
| 7 | | M. Moses | ||
| 6 | | A. Davey | ||
| B. McGrady | | 3 |
| 4 | Tries | 8 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 8 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 17 of the NRL premiership continues this afternoon when the Dolphins take on the Parramatta Eels at Sunshine Coast Stadium on the Sunshine Coast. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:00pm (AEST).
We’ve got a high stakes clash this afternoon between two teams trying to cling to the edge of the top 8. A loss here doesn’t mean the season is over, but it does mean the job to jump a logjam of teams becomes that little bit harder.
The Dolphins did enjoy the bye last weekend but are coming off a 58-18 thrashing by the Sea Eagles. It was a worrying game for the Dolphins and they will need to bounce back here. If not, questions will start to be asked.
The Dolphins game plan has revolved around minimising the mistakes from an experienced forward pack, with some young halves then creating opportunities for a backline featuring Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jamayne Isaako.
Wayne Bennett hasn’t wasted any time in making changes. Felise Kaufusi returns from suspension, with Connelly Lemuelu moving to the bench. Josh Kerr joins the interchange for his new club, whilst debutant Brayden McGrady has been named on the wing. Sean O’Sullivan returns from his pectoral injury and has been named in the reserves, but may yet feature in the 17. Brenko Lee is injured and replaced by Valynce Te Whare in the centres.
In recent weeks, the Eels have become climbers on the ladder, defeating the Sea Eagles 34-4 last start. It was an impressive team performance given they were missing Junior Paulo, Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.
Part of this revival has been due to the return of Reagan Campell-Gillard to the front row. At their best, the Eels pack can match any pack in the competition, and they have plenty of attacking strike. They are starting to play more like the side that made the Grand Final last year.
In team changes, Mitch Moses and Junior Paulo have been named to play after their Origin duties. Shaun Lane has overcome his hamstring injury and has been named in the reserves, however it wouldn’t surprise to see him take the field.
Prediction
The Dolphins will be primed for a big one this afternoon to silence the critics after the mauling from Manly. However, something seems to be building at Parramatta and they should have too much class in this one. Eels by 12
Game information
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Kick-off: 3:00pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Dolphins $2.55 Eels $1.52 – odds via PlayUp
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Brayden Mcgrady 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Ray Stone 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Max Plath 18. Harrison Graham 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Robert Jennings 22. Kurt Donoghoe
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Haze Dunster 19. Matt Doorey 20. Luca Moretti 21. Waqa Blake 22. Shaun Lane
David Holden
Roar Guru
I think it’s only for the remainder of this season, then possibly the Titans.
matth
Roar Guru
Herbie and Flegler are leaving
Emcie
Roar Guru
Ease up, they got the 2 points last week mate
Redcap
Roar Guru
A salary Akubra?
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog this afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend
David Holden
Roar Guru
By the way, if someone can let me know how the Broncos can fit Ben Hunt under the salary cap, it would be appreciated!!
NQR
Roar Rookie
Herbie, Flegler and Hunt would really make the Dolphins very dangerous.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Dolphins have lost 3 in a row and, despite the better second half effort, they are at a crossroads in their season. They have a tough one against the Broncos next Saturday night and another big loss would just about end 2023 for the Dolphins
Emcie
Roar Guru
If the phins converted all their tries and eels didn't it would have been much closer, too much bias towards goal kicking in the NRL. Vlandys needs to stop bowing to the broadcasters whims and ban kicking
NQR
Roar Rookie
They literally officiate the game and it’s not Cameron Smith like. It’s bordering on abuse from what I’ve seen.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Eels have registered 5 straight victories and into the bye as one of the form teams in the comp. They play the Warriors back at Commbank in a fortnight
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Eels failed to go on with it this afternoon but still registered a dominant victory. The Dolphins definitely improved in the second half however the game was effectively over by half time
Luke S
Roar Rookie
Dolphins have decided to play the second half. Effort is appreciated after being roasted by the Eels in the first half. Second half from Eels was poor. Couldn’t score 8 more points to get to 50 and Dolphins beat them in the second half. At least I was able to stop crying into my beer for the second 40!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Frankly it's a bit rediculous that the Dolphins easily won the 2nd half but still "lose" the game on aggregate. If the NRL is serious about the competition then games need to be best of 3 halves
Nat
Roar Guru
Well done Parra. The 2nd half isn't surprising when they are up by that much. Bloody glad I didn't go to the Dolphins club for that one.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
It’s amazing how often you see a team rack up a huge score in the first half then put the cue in the rack. That the Eels didn’t even manage 50 in the end was perplexing. Actually ended up being a smaller win than the Warriors had last night.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME EELS DEFEAT DOLPHINS 48-20
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Ese'ese with a run and that is full time Dolphins 20 Eels 48
Nat
Roar Guru
Koula would be a show.
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Moses from the scrum. Short side play to Penisini. Paulo goes close. Asi knocks on Dolphins 20 Eels 48