The Dolphins were looking to open up the second of three meetings this afternoon on a high note. They displayed their potential at home in Redcliffe when they took on the Wests Tigers. They took an unexpected six-point lead into the break as they scored three tries to Wests two. Although they played as sharp as they had during the first 40 minutes, Miami’s chances to stay on top quickly evaporated in the second half. The game really showcased what those two teams could do well and exposed what they really couldn’t do. Ultimately, the Sharks went on to defeat South Sydney 27-12.
Dolphins' Early Dominance
The Dolphins started off with a bang, and it was the beginning of a very energetic first half. Hynes didn’t take long to introduce himself as he opened the scoring within five minutes. This impressive score put the Dolphins up 7-0 in no time. And the backline looked like a well-oiled machine, creating what might be the early-season try of the year. On the flip side, very smart play from Trindall here as he nails two 40/20 kicks.
That led to the Dolphins coming within inches of claiming their fourth try. Woes came knocking when prop Felise Kaufusi turned the ball over in a huge collision. This would be a key turning point missed, but the Dolphins held on to their lead into the halftime intermission.
Sharks' Second-Half Surge
The Sharks showed off their striking talents, especially on their third try when Ronaldo Mulitalo released his inner goon. He picked up a kick in the in-goal area and broke through Cody Walker to get back into the field of play. The Sharks' number six expressed satisfaction with his improved performance this week:
"Last week wasn't up to standard, so I wanted to come out and do the hard stuff in the first half," said Braydon Trindall.
The Sharks' halves pairing of Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima exhibited slick play throughout the first half, further strengthening their position. Even with injuries to starting forwards Braden Hamlin-Uele and Siosifa Talakai in the second half, the Sharks showed no sign of slowing down.
A Stunning Finish
One of the match's highlights was undoubtedly centre Kayal Iro's incredible 108-metre try, which captivated spectators and could be a contender for try of the year. This astounding play capped the Sharks’ win, showcasing their penchant for making the most of their chances.
Reflecting on the match, Trindall acknowledged areas for improvement:
"We used the wind to our advantage … we need to fix that second half," he stated.
