In a thrilling encounter at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night, the Dolphins secured a narrow 20-16 victory over the Eels, thanks to two outstanding tackle-saving efforts in the final moments of the match.
The decisive play unfolded with just 30 seconds remaining when Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made a critical tackle on Eels playmaker Dylan Brown, thwarting a potential scoring opportunity. Had Brown retained possession, the Eels would have had another chance to level the score. Earlier in the game, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth also made a crucial stop, preventing Will Penisini from scoring in the 76th minute.
Reflecting on the last-minute play, Brown expressed frustration at the outcome during a post-match interview with Nine’s Emma Lawrence. He described how he attempted to sidestep but was swiftly intercepted, acknowledging the speed of Tabuai-Fidow. Brown remarked, “I dummied and he caught me straight back, so I dunno, he’s that quick.” He also noted that teammate Josh Addo-Carr should have continued his run instead of passing the ball back to him, admitting, “It’s pretty embarrassing dropping it there.”
The match showcased the Dolphins’ defensive resilience and their ability to hold off the Eels’ late-game pressure, culminating in a well-deserved win.