Star half shines bright at Suncorp as Dolphins demolish depleted Storm

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Dolphins v Melbourne Storm

Both hookers would miss this contest and it would be made even tougher with Dolphins utility forward Max Plath leaving the ground with a Planta Fascia (foot) injury.

It was all sunshine and rainbows for the Victorian-based club, as Melbourne took a quick 12-2 lead with both tries coming at the hands of their wingmen.

A nasty moment in the game where Jack Howarth was brought to the turf in an awkward-looking tackle leaving the centre with a dislocated shoulder. Joe Chan, being the man brought onto the field.

Ryan Papenhuyzen imposed his will inside the opening 20 minutes cooking up a three-course meal and serving nothing but points as he found his way to the white stripe.

The game seemingly changed when the three-headed Cerberus of Kerr, Stone & Lemuelu headed into the Brisbane Battlefield taped up and ready to rock and roll.

Stone willed his way to the Storm in goal as the Dolphins trimmed the lead to 10, Isaako knew he had to bring the kicking boots tonight.

A couple of errors by Melbourne gave the Phins valuable field position right in the Redzone as they copied the 2024 Minor Premiers with a beautiful cross-field kick snatched up by last year's rookie of the year Jack Bostock for another 4-pointer that saw the Dolphins right back into the contest.

HT Storm 16-12 Dolphins

A very telling stat at half-time, the Storm had only lost 1 game in 80 attempts when leading by 14 at any given point (which did not bode well for the Dolphins)

Kodi Nikorima turned the clock back to 2005 with a flick pass that Tigers coach Benji Marshall would have been proud of, sending Ray Stone over the line as the Dolphins took a crucial 2-point advantage.

The third key to the Dolphins interchange bench was unlocked early in the second half with Connelly Lemuelu the recipient of a laser-like double pump short ball sending him for a stroll into the in-goal to extend the lead for the Red and Gold.

Time and time again the Dolphin's defense began to suffocate the Storm attack, gifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow a chance to take flight from a raid via the boot of Isaiya Katoa.

All Phins on-field seemingly having their career-best halves as the depleted Storm failed to defend anything and everything that Redcliffe threw at them as the Five-Eighth and halfback combined for yet another 4-pointer, accelerating the lead out to 20.

Herbie Farnworth piled on the pain late in the piece as the Dolphins headed for 50 points.

2 sin-bins 6 minutes from time for both Trent Loiero and Kurt Donoghoe saw the game go to 12 v 12 which opened up the game for a late consolation try to Kane Bradley securing his second of the evening in a mixed night for the Melbourne winger.

It was a case of sticking tough and having the momentum on their side at the right time for the Phins as they continue this hot run for 3 straight wins, next stop the nation's capital against the Green Machine Canberra Raiders.

As for  Melbourne, they look to reset and head home for a clash 1 week from now against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.