Round 22: Dolphins v Roosters preview
Dolphins to showdown with the Roosters in Perth in the hopes of keeping their finals dream alive.
The Dolphins are heading into this round with hopes of rejuvenating their finals aspirations after a tough loss in Round 21. At Suncorp Stadium, they started strong against the Gold Coast Titans with early tries from Tevita Pangai-Junior and Jesse Bromwich, jumping to a 12-0 lead. A penalty goal further extended their advantage, but a sin-bin to Josh Kerr before halftime shifted momentum. Brian Kelly scored for the Titans, and the Dolphins couldn't add to their tally in the second half, eventually falling 21-14.
Wayne Bennett has named an unchanged squad for Round 22, emphasising stability as they aim to halt their four-game losing streak. Currently sitting 8th on the NRL ladder, a win is crucial to maintain their finals hopes. The team's defensive structure will be under scrutiny, especially given their recent inability to close out games. They must improve their discipline, as costly penalties have often allowed opponents back into matches. The forwards, led by Bromwich and Pangai-Junior, need to replicate their early aggression from the last game to provide a platform for the backs to capitalise.
The Sydney Roosters are coming off a thrilling 34-30 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium. Despite a commanding 22-0 lead after just 20 minutes and a 28-12 advantage at halftime, they faced a strong second-half comeback from Manly, who scored three intercept tries. James Tedesco was instrumental, scoring a try, assisting in two, and running 269 meters from 20 runs. This win propelled them to third on the ladder, ahead of the Cronulla Sharks.
Joey Manu returns after three games out with a fractured hand, replacing Michael Jennings, who is serving a two-game ban for a careless high tackle. The Roosters aim to solidify their top-four position to secure a double chance in the finals. Their backline, featuring Tedesco, Manu, and Keary, will be key in breaking down the Dolphins' defence. The Roosters will need to address their lapses in concentration that allowed Manly back into the game last round, ensuring they maintain their intensity throughout the match. Coach Trent Robinson will be focusing on tightening their defence and maintaining possession to control the game's tempo.
Both teams will travel to Perth for this Friday night clash at HBF Park. The Dolphins have recent experience in Perth, having narrowly lost to the Newcastle Knights 30-28 in 2023. In contrast, the Roosters make their first trip to Perth since 1995, adding an element of intrigue to the matchup. With both teams vying for critical points to bolster their finals prospects, this game promises to be a captivating encounter. The neutral venue could provide an unpredictable element, and fan support will be crucial in creating a lively atmosphere. Both teams will need to adapt quickly to the conditions in Perth to maximise their chances of victory.
Last meeting: Round 24 2023 - Roosters 30 Dolphins 14
Who to watch: Sydney Rooster Dominic Young is having an electric year, having scored 15 tries in the 15 games he has played this year. Of those 15 games, he hasn't crossed the line in just 3 but has scored doubles in 3 others to make up the difference. Along with crossing the line himself, he has also supported his teammates with four try assists while breaking tackles left, right, and centre. His speed is his greatest weapon, and when he gets into open space, he is hard to catch, averaging over 150 running metres each game.
Dolphins winger Jamayne Issako scored three tries in their loss to Newcastle in Perth last season. This year, he has scored nine tries in 18 games and is kicking with 77% accuracy. Similar to Young, he is a tackle-busting machine and helps his team get into good field position while averaging over 145 running metres a game. He hasn't scored in his last four games, so you'd be expecting him to cross the line sooner rather than later.
FAVOURITE: As to be expected, the Sydney Roosters are the clear favourites going into this game. The Dolphins have beaten them in the past - it would be hard to forget their maiden NRL game, where they came out of the blocks firing and beat the Chooks in their first showing.
MY TIP: They may have let the Sea Eagles back into the game last week with some wayward passes, but teams of the Roosters' calibre don't make those mistakes two weeks in a row. I expect the Roosters to start turning up the dial leading into the finals and work hard to cement their place in the top four.
