Round 3: Dolphins v Wests Tigers preview
Struggling new boys face resurgent Tigers
The Dolphins have had a disappointing but not horrible start to their 2025 campaign, losing narrowly to Souths in Round 1 and then being beaten by the Knights 26-12 last weekend, after trailing 20-6 at halftime.
Both of their games thus far have been on the road and their forward pack has been up to the task on both occasions, however their attack has been a little predictable, largely due to Isaiya Katoa getting through plenty of defensive work at halfback and having two different five-eighths already this year.
The Dolphins outside backs have been largely ineffective at breaking the defensive line - their three-quarter line is largely making their metres from kick returns or ruck runs. Defensively they've been solid enough, keeping their missed tackle numbers down.
The Wests Tigers were defensively solid in their Round 1 game against the Knights, but as they've been guilty of for their last 3 seasons, fell away in the second half, however, unlike those previous years, they regrouped and prevented the scoreboard from continually turning over. Last weekend, their attack was initially horrible to watch, but once Jarome Luai started running to the line and using his footwork to straight the defence of the Eels, he was able to create opportunities out wide for his outside backs to turn into points, which they did consistently well.
The Tigers currently, and I know its only after two games, but ever so rarely does this ever get said that it makes it even more important to mention, are the best defensive team in the competition. If they are to truly turn things around, it starts with their defence and so far, they've looked more unified and solid in defence than at any time in recent memory.
Last meeting: Round 11 2024 - Wests Tigers 12 Dolphins 24
Who to watch: For the Dolphins it's young half Isaiya Katoa. He's been brilliant already, running the ball plenty, mixing up his kicking game, getting through plenty of tackling also and largely playing a sole hand. If he can get some protection in defence and support in attack, especially from his outside men offering different ball-running line options, he can start to isolate edge defenders and create tryscoring opportunities.
For the Tigers, Terrell May has been an absolute beast, racking up big metres, bending the line consistently, has fast play-the-balls and getting through plenty of defence. He is on a mission and playing powerful, magnificent footy. Jarome Luai was vastly improved last week against the Eels, especially in the second half, and looks very threatening on the right side.
Favourite: The Dolphins at home and not being the holders of the last 3 wooden spoons has them as very slight favourites here, which considering all of that, probably is more of a criticism of them than anything.
My tip: The amount of improvement by the Tigers and how much improvement they have in them compared to the Dolphins suggests the Tigers might claim another scalp here. It won't be clinical, but it will be as frustrating as it is entertaining.
