Dolphins target ‘Magnificent Seven’ for finals push
Joel Gould |
The Dolphins can become just the seventh side in the NRL era to make the finals after a 0-4 start to the year as they prepare to host the desperate Gold Coast.
Only six teams in the NRL era have made the finals after such a dire start – Brisbane (1999), Melbourne (2000), St George-Illawarra (2005), Manly (2009 and 2021) and Cronulla (2015).
The ninth-placed Dolphins have faded with three consecutive losses, but their efforts to get to this position without four stars in their forward pack – Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler, Daniel Saifiti and Max Plath – along with injured key outside backs Herbie Farnworth and Jack Bostock is a credit to coach Kristian Woolf.
Only one side in premiership history has started a season with four consecutive losses and won the title – the Newtown side of 1933.
The ninth-placed Dolphins most likely won’t win the comp but chief executive Terry Reader said the fact they were still alive in the finals hunt was a credit to the club.
“When you look at the 0-4 and so-called Wayne Bennett curse and our horrific injury toll we are very proud to be where we are at this point,” Reader said.
“We have concentrated on who is playing rather than who is not playing. The experience of some of the players who have got more games this year means the squad will only be stronger for next year.
“There is still plenty to be excited about for this year.”
The Dolphins trail eighth-placed Sydney Roosters by two points and are still in the mix to finish in the top eight if they beat Gold Coast on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium and Canberra the following week at Redcliffe.
They will again rely heavily on star half Isaiya Katoa, who has been inspirational.
The Dolphins got on a plane to fly home after the 58-30 loss to Manly on Saturday thinking their finals hopes might be dashed but were in the air when Parramatta stunned the Roosters in a 30-10 win.
“It did put a spring in everyone’s step. Our goal is to win our next two games,” Reader said.
“Against the Titans at Suncorp we had the equal biggest comeback in NRL history to win 28-26 in 2023 from 26 behind and then last year the Titans effectively knocked us out of the finals race when we led by 14 and they ran over the top of us (21-14). They have been epic battles.”
Titans boss Steve Mitchell said the players were keen to send outgoing coach Des Hasler out a winner and avoid the wooden spoon.
“We have got a great rivalry and the players want to go out and play for Des,” he said.
“Both teams need to win.”
AAP
