In a contentious moment during their match against the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night, the Dolphins were denied a vital 40/20 by a touch judge’s apparent oversight, contributing to their 20-12 defeat. At the 26-minute mark, with the Dolphins leading 10-6, playmaker Isaiya Katoa executed a well-placed kick that looked set to roll out past Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo. Despite this, Cobbo’s desperate attempt to keep the ball in play was successful, but replays later revealed that his foot was indeed touching the sideline when he made the play.
The sideline official, who was directly positioned to see the incident, failed to make the call, leading to confusion among players and supporters alike. Broncos fullback Reece Walsh seized the opportunity to regain possession, managing to evade defenders before assisting Jesse Arthars in a remarkable play that saved the ball from going out. Shortly thereafter, Kotoni Staggs crossed for a try, extending the Broncos’ lead to 16-6—potentially a significant 12-point swing in the match as the Dolphins missed their opportunity to launch an attack deep in Brisbane’s territory.
Fox Sports commentator Michael Ennis lamented the Dolphins’ misfortune, stating, “You have got to feel for the Dolphins…but the touch judge misses it,” highlighting the game-altering impact of the call. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf was pressed on the incident following the game, acknowledging that the moment was a “bad call” and a pivotal turning point in the match. He expressed his disappointment over the officiating, noting how such decisions can dramatically shift momentum, particularly when teams are already feeling the pressure.
As a result of this loss, the Dolphins remain winless at the start of the season with four straight defeats. They are scheduled to face the Titans next Saturday in hopes of finally securing a victory. Fans and analysts alike continue to scrutinise the officiating, especially in high-stakes moments where the outcomes can drastically influence a team’s performance and standing in the league.