Fuller magic in attacking exhibition as Turbo's wings clipped again

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Dolphins v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

The Dolphins have come from 16-4 down to defeat Manly by 28-24 in an exciting and attacking contest at Suncorp Stadium. The Manly loss has also been overshadowed by yet another suspected hamstring injury to Tom Trbojevic.

Both sides exchanged early penalties for hand on the ball. However, the Manly side capitalised on their field position best and crossed inside the first 10 minutes. The left edge left the Dolphins gasping for numbers after a poor defensive read and Tommy Talau dove across in the corner for the opening try. Reuben Garrick's conversion was waved away, leaving the score at 4-0.

A few minutes later. The Dolphins capitalised with a try against the run of play after Daly Cherry-Evans tried to catch the home side asleep down the short side, unfortunately for Manly the pass was picked off by Euan Aitken who crossed to level the scores. Jamayne Isaako's conversion rattled into the left post for a 4-4 score-line.

After a lull period in the game, the Dolphins made a bad mistake out of yardage which allowed Talau to steal it one on one from Isaako. From that set, Tom Trbojevic's grubber kick was waited to perfection and Corey Waddell did just enough to force downward pressure on the ball. Garrick added the conversion from easier range for a 10-4 lead.

Despite earning a set restart on the set after Manly's post points, the Dolphins went for glory immediately. Max Plath's pass was intercepted by Luke Brooks who sprinted away. The former Tiger was able to find Tolu Koula who had too much pace for the cover to cross for try number three for a 16-4 lead.

Some field position of their own gave the Dolphins some much needed points. Kodi Nikorima continued his amazing form in 2024 with yet another try assist. The half combined beautifully with Connelly Lemuelu to isolate the Manly left edge to crash over for the second try of the half. Isaako converted for a 16-10 lead.

Off the next set and literally nothing. Trai Fuller got the ball over half-way and busted through some febel defence. If that wasn't enough, he audaciously chipped over Tommy Turbo and got the bounce to give the Dolphins the game tying try. Isaako converted for 16-16. If that wasn't enough, Jeremy Marshall-King fooled the marker defence and was able to offload to Jake Averillo who busted wide open before finding Mark Nicholls to give the Dolphins the lead at the break as Manly let a 16-4 lead slip in mere minutes.

Manly crossed first to start the second half after a last tackle six again against the home side. The Trbjoevic's combined, well Tom to Jake who then got it back to Tom to cross for the first of the second stanza for the visitors. Garrick's conversion was successful and Manly reclaimed the lead that they had earned in the first half, but if anything involving Manly so far in 2024, it isn't over until the final siren. The Phins levelled the scores with just over 25 to play with an Isaako penalty goal and a 22-22 scoreline.

Manly were able to march up field off one of the more cynical penalties of the 2024 season. Jesse Bromwich made the slightest of high contact on Turbo. However, as the decision was challenged, the Bunker didn't have to determine if it was reportable like it would in it's normal intervention. Off that successful challenge, Manly got field position and Felise Kaufusi again flew off the mark with a late shot on Jake Trbjoevic, Garrick added the gift two points for a 24-22 lead.

The Dolphins answered back with their own contentious high tackle penalty. Manly jammed in on their right edge when Ben Trbjoevic flew in off his wing, leaving Garrick deserted and Jack Bostock capitalised on an open run to the line to retake the lead. More conceringly for Manly, was Tommy Turbo coming from the field with a leg injury in the immediate aftermath of that try. Isaako converted for a four point lead.

Manly had chances to snatch an equaliser including a late effort from Talau, but he spilled the ball agonisingly short of the try-line. Isaako added a penalty goal on full-time after Ethan Bullemor's tackle had better qualifications for the wrestling mat. The Dolphins hung on for a come from behind victory, while for the Sea Eagles, they again have to begin to prepare for life without Turbo at the back.