The Dolphins have secured an impressive victory as Wayne Bennett gets the best of his apprentice in Benji Marshall, winning 26-16.
It was a game that was filled with injuries, with Herbie Farnworth left clutching at his neck in the closing minutes of the clash.
Tigers hooker Api Koroisau was also struggling with a leg injury but returned, while his teammates John Bateman and Samuela Fainu were unable to return after head knock assessments.
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Dolphins backrower Felise Kaufusi also was sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while Tom Flegler also left the field due to a shoulder injury.
Isaiya Katoa scored the first four-pointer of the game, charging onto a Jack Bostock break before Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored the second after a Kaufusi run through the middle of the field.
Entering the break, the Dolphins held all the momentum but the Tigers responded with two quick tries to Solomona Faataape.
His first came after a Charlie Staines break, while he charged onto an Aidan Sezer kick for his second, managing to ground the ball despite heavy pressure.
Katoa then delivered a moment of brilliance, putting a low kick in to find his halces partner Kodi Nikorima charging on a perfect angle on the right side of the field.
Kenny Bromwich then got his name on the scoresheet, benefiting from Jeremy Marshall-King slicing through the middle of the field.
Marshall’s team did everything they could to get back into the game, even scoring through Alex Seyfarth, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
The Dolphins now sit outright on the top of the ladder after their third straight victory.
Read below for all the big talking points!
KATOA’S KICKING MASTERCLASS
It’s obvious to see why Wayne Bennett moved to lock down young gun Isaiya Katoa long term.
The Dolphins re-signed the 20-year-old until the end of 2028, locking down the Tongan international for seasons to come.
Against the Tigers on Saturday night, Katoa showed maturity beyond his years with a “10 out of 10” kicking performance according to Andrew Voss.
He delivered a perfect try assist off the boot to find his fellow playmaker in Kodi Nikorima in a four-pointer that proved crucial in extending his side’s lead.
Katoa didn’t make Bennett’s team to start the season, and even he admitted he had some areas he needed to work on but has now emerged as a playmaking star in Queensland.
“I was disappointed to not make that Round 1 team, but I knew there was a lot of hard work to be done and things I needed to go away and work on,” Katoa said.
“Being back and being with the boys it has been awesome to have that controlling role as a No.7 and come every week to do my job.
“Kick well, making my tackles and organising the attack, if I can do that I can keep Wayne-o happy.”
Katoa finished the clash with a try assist, 17 tackles and a whopping 528 kicking metres, 502 more than his partner Nikorima.
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MASTER V APPRENTICE
Benji Marshall learnt plenty from Bennett during their time together at the Bunnies, but the rookie coach was no match for a man with more than 900 games of experience.
The contrast in experience wasn’t limited to the coaches, with veteran Kodi Nikorima and young gun Isaiya Katoa combining beautifully to get the hosts over the line.
Katoa is still a baby compared to some of the other halfbacks in the game, but he has time on his side – not just in age but on the field – with the recently re-signed playmaker scoring the first try and setting up another when his side needed a lift.
And it was fitting that Nikorima featured prominently in both tries, throwing a peach of a cut out for the opener before he pounced on a grubber from his halves partner to help the Dolphins kick clear.
Nikorima, 30, is off contract at the end of the season, but his combination with Katoa clearly works and could earn him an extension.
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BETTER LATU THAN NEVER
The young talent time at the Tigers continues to shine, with 18-year-old Latu Fainu making his debut in place of fellow teen sensation Lachlan Galvin who was out through suspension.
Fainu has long been touted as a genuine star of the future, and he finally got his chance after 35 minutes when he came on and parked himself on the left edge.
The young half didn’t get many opportunities but showed he can handle the occasion, with Fainu not getting the dream debut alongside his brother after Samuela (head knock) was ruled out of the contest early in the second half.
Meanwhile, with two young halves on the books and Jarome Luai heading to the club next season, it’s unlikely Aidan Sezer will play huge role in 2025.
But the veteran still has a lot to offer and showed his worth with two 40/20s, with the second leading to a late Alex Seyfarth try.
There were plenty of positives for the Tigers with Solomona Faataape bagging the first double of his young career, but they were left to rue a blown chance earlier on when Jahream Bula threw a forward pass to Justin Olam to bomb a certain try.
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Source Agencies
