Round 11: Wests Tigers v Dolphins preview
The final game of Magic Round 2024 will have the Tigers facing off against the top four positioned Dolphins.
Wests will need more than party tricks if they are to take any sparkle of an in-form Dolphins side who will be welcoming back one of their stars just in time. Even though a spirited performance last round, Wests were unable to edge out the Newcastle Knights in Tamworth and feel short 20-14.
Coach Benji Marshall was still proud that his team was able to stay in the fight. He was also pleased that a major reshuffle due to an injury to Stafford T'oa was still able to keep the Tigers within reach. Benji even believed the game was there for his team to take, but the pressure moments had them lacking. If they were lacking anywhere it was their right edge in defence. Bradman Best gave the West's right edge a bath, and they will be coming up against another nuggety fast centre this coming round, which should have the Tigers coaching staff concerned.
Josh Papali'i played a stand-out game and showed that he was right at home in the number 13 jersey. He will miss this match due to a one-game suspension for a grade 2 Dangerous Contact. A brain fart of a decision from the skilled back-rower as he attempted a trip on Leo Thompson; last round. Stafford T'oa suffered a hamstring injury early during the last round and will likely be out of the side for a few weeks. If this wasn't bad enough, John Bateman will be out for at least the next game with a pectoral injury.
The Dolphins are coming in hot after another win last week, taking it to the Manly Sea Eagles at Suncorp last round. Coach Wayne Bennet was happy with the win, even though he said it was an ugly game. The teams were fairly evenly matched across the board, but the Dolphins have managed to find the extra grit and fitness to stay in the game until the end, showing in back-to-back wins. With Wayne lamenting that this time last year, they were struggling, it's good to see their hard work is paying off. As ugly as it was, Trai Fuller made the game exciting. After a hard time under the high ball last round 9, Fuller bounced back with an inspiring performance. But with the return of another exciting player, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Fuller moves to reserves.
Kenny Bromwich will take to the side as run oon loch due to Max Plath being rested from a head knock last round.
Last meeting: Round 5 2024 - Dolphins 26 Wests Tigers 16
Who to watch: Jahream Bula was one of the best on the field for the Tigers last round, and the Tigers fans will ask if his send-off with 15 minutes to go before halftime against the Knights could have told a different story for the struggling team.
Bula will be getting plenty of ball from Katoa's kicking on Sunday, so watch for him to run hard and sniff out the gaps in broken play.
Jayden Sullivan had a solid game filling in for the suspended Aidan Sezer last round. He has shown to be a talented player and now has a chance to shine in Sezer's absence. Let's see if the confidence from his performance last game can become consistentsy.
The other two players who will be making breaks and opportunities for the player mentioned, and the team is Lachlan Galvin and Api Koroisau.
The Hammer is back, and the odds are in favour of him producing something fitting for the final game of the Magic Round. With the Dolphin's halves combination of Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima riffing at the moment, look for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to inject himself into the game in style through their opportunities.
Herbie Farnworth will likely be licking his lips to get a go at carving up the Tiger's edge after watching Bradman Best on the weekend. Although the lineup for West's has changed, Farnworth is in wrecking ball form and will be ready to score at Suncorp.
The Dolphins forward pack is experiencing some good cohesion. Including when bench forwards come on to replace their teammates, they haven't missed a beat. Particularly with players like Josh Kerr and Ray Stone lifting the atmosphere in the middle for the Dolphins when they come on.
Favourite: Tigers seem a long way off, showing any threat for top teams, and the Dolphins have momentum and belief; this is reflected with the Suncorp locals tipped to snatch the win on Sunday.
My tip: The Dolphins are clicking, and Bennett has got the boys jumping through hoops to the accolades of their fanbase. The momentum, the home crowd, and the disarray within Wests attack can mean only one outcome for the end to the Magic round: Dolphins by 20.
