The "50-point rule" is set to be tested in 2025 as the Dolphins have handed the understrength Raiders a 62-24 loss at Kayo Stadium on Sunday.
Despite the points fest in Redcliffe, it took the hosts ten minutes to get their first try when Tevita Naufahu scored in the corner with a great put down. The Phins struggled to hold the ball in good position and it took them another 15 minutes for their second when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow found Trai Fuller to go downfield and link with Oryn Keeley who scored under the posts.
The hosts added three more tries inside the space of the final ten minutes of the first half as Jake Averillo scored one and then Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow picked up two tries. Jamayne Isaako put on a goalkicking clinic putting all 5 conversions through the posts to help the Dolphins to a 30-0 lead.
The second half though started with a disaster for the home-side as a calamity at the back handed the Raiders an easy try when Michael Asomua scored his debut NRL try.
Shaking the mistake off, the Phins added another try as Ray Stone went over close to the posts for the lead to extend out to 36-6. The Hammer was looking to equal Mark Nawaqanitawase at the top of the try-scorers list and he got his third after the Rookie Raiders couldn't shut down a loose ball.
The story of the game came just shy of the hour mark when Dolphins (and Souths) fan favourite Mark Nicholls scored with his first touch of what is his last ever NRL game and then converting it as well from next to the posts to take the score out to 48-6.
Noah Martin added a try soon after for the Raiders to close the gap to 48-12 but it was a mild blemish for the Dolphins at that point as Tevita Naufahu added a second which Isaako couldn't convert and the Phins yet again had 50.
A two-minute double to Raiders debutant interchange forward Joe Roddy got the town of Tumut excited as he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Frank playing and scoring for Canberra.
Two late tries for the Dolphins extended their lead out to 38 points as Isaako and Averillo scored to secure the 62-24 victory for Redcliffe at home.
The win ends the season on a high for the Dolphins whilst it will be interesting to see whether the 50 point rule has an impact as the Raiders get their stars back ahead of their Qualifying final against the Broncos next week.