The South Sydney Rabbitohs edged out the Dolphins with a narrow 16-14 victory on Friday night, but the triumph was overshadowed by injury concerns. Originally scheduled to take place at Lang Park in Brisbane, the match was relocated to Western Sydney Stadium mid-week due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite holding an 8-0 lead at halftime, the Dolphins could not maintain their advantage, succumbing to the Rabbitohs' resilience in the second half.
In the aftermath of their defeat, the Redcliffe-based Dolphins are preparing for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is advancing towards south-east Queensland. The team plans to charter a flight to Toowoomba's Wellcamp Airport on Saturday morning. Despite the looming cyclone, Dolphins player Josh Kerr refused to blame the adverse weather conditions for their loss.
"I get that it's probably not the greatest preparation, but we're not saving lives, we're rugby league players." – Josh Kerr
Kerr also expressed admiration for emergency workers who are already grappling with the cyclone's impact.
"There's a lot of people in the SES, the first responders up in Queensland that are going through a hell of a lot right now." – Josh Kerr
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs had their own challenges to contend with. Tyrone Munro, who scored two first-half tries, may have suffered another collarbone injury, raising concerns about his fitness moving forward. This potential setback comes after Munro fractured his collarbone twice in 2024, and he did not return to the field after halftime against the Dolphins. However, teammate Cody Walker noted Munro's positive attitude despite the situation.
The Newcastle Knights also staged a remarkable comeback against the Tigers. Trailing 8-0 at halftime, the Knights capitalized on their offensive opportunities in the second half to secure a win. In contrast, the Tigers faltered after receiving a standing ovation from their fans at halftime, ultimately losing by two points. Tigers coach Benji Marshall delivered a stern message during the post-match press conference, reflecting on his team's squandered lead.
"If you want to find excuses, you will." – Josh Kerr
The Knights' ability to capitalize on their opportunities contrasted sharply with the Tigers' inability to maintain momentum. The match reports for both games provide further insights into the complexities of each contest.
