Round 21: Dolphins look to revive Top 4 aspirations against rollercoaster Titans
The Dolphins are looking for their fourth win in four games against the Titans, in the "Sunshine Showdown".
A golden point loss to the Panthers last week, saw the Dolphins drops to seventh place in the ladder, where they now have a total of nine wins and eight losses, also having all three of their byes already. This loss came after a 14-point lead with 25 minutes to go, but the Penrith side caught up to the Dolphins, and then Nathan Cleary's boot was just too good for them.
Wayne Bennett has made no changes to the team, with the same 17 who faced the Panthers in Round 20 set to take on the Titans.
After winning three in a row to the Warriors, Sharks and Eels, the Titans succumbed to their eleventh loss of the season against the Sea Eagles, which leaves them in 15th place and the chance of making finals almost completely gone from their grasp. Gold Coast started out on top against Manly in the match, leading 8-0, the Sea Eagles then went on to score 38 unanswered points, with the Titans struggling in both defence and attack.
Similarly to the Dolphins, the Titans have named an identical starting 17 to who played against Manly, with AJ Brimson still sidelined with his groin injury.
These sides met twice in the Dolphins inaugural year, along with in Round 4 earlier this year, with the Dolphins coming out victorious every time. The Dolphins convincingly won in their previous 2024 clash, whilst both of their 2023 games we won by a margin of two points.
Last meeting: Round 4 2024 - Titans 14 Dolphins 30
Who to watch: The halves partnerships for both teams are a mix of experience and youth, with the experience and seniority coming from Kodi Nikorima at the Dolphins and Kieran Foran at the Titans, and the young and exciting Isaiya Katoa for the Dolphins and Jayden Campbell for the Titans. These halves partnerships show much potential, and when they get the ball rolling, they are electric to watch.
Isaiya Katoa is in his second year of first grade, and certainly making his mark in the halfback position. During the 2023 season Katoa has scored two tries whilst making eight try assists and twelves line break assists.
Having had a rocky year due to injury, Jayden Campbell is a little player with the need for speed and excels regardless of if he is playing at fullback or five-eighth. In the eight games he has played this year, he has scored three tries, made six try assists and two line breaks.
The favourite: Dolphins are favoured to get another won and stay in the fight to make their first finals appearance in the NRL.
My tip: Although the Titans have shown glimpses of greatness this year, I do not think they have the defensive abilities to hold of the electric Dolphins for an entire 80 minutes. Dolphins by 14.
