In a gripping contest that concluded a tumultuous week, the Dolphins suffered a narrow two-point defeat to the Rabbitohs, led by former coach Wayne Bennett. The match, initially scheduled for Queensland, unfolded at CommBank Stadium amidst concerns over Cyclone Alfred’s potential impact.
Despite a competitive start, the Dolphins faced challenges of their own, including injuries affecting Rabbitohs’ key players. Star winger Tyrone Munro shone brightly in the first half, scoring twice, but was forced off with a collarbone injury after dominating the opening stages. His status is uncertain as concerns linger about the severity of his injury, particularly after previous surgery on the same area.
In the second half, concerns multiplied for the Rabbitohs when Jack Wighton was put on report for a raised forearm that struck Daniel Saifiti in the head, leaving Saifiti unable to return after prior concussion assessment protocols.
The first 40 minutes saw the Dolphins play valiantly against the Rabbitohs, with their efforts paving the way for a comeback after Munro’s exit. Jamayne Isaako capitalised on the situation, scoring with the help of Isaiya Katoa and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. However, despite Isaako’s efforts, his conversion attempt failed to narrow the score.
The Dolphins briefly gained the lead with a try from Max Plath, but Rabbitohs’ Isaiah Tass quickly retaliated, reclaiming the lead for South Sydney. The match reached a tense conclusion as the Rabbitohs seemed to extend their advantage, only to have a potential try ruled out by the Bunker for a strip in the lead-up.
Though the result did not go in favour of the Dolphins, they received encouraging news regarding their travel arrangements amid the cyclone concerns, as a charter flight was arranged for their return home the following morning. While the match may have ended in disappointment for the Dolphins, the resilience displayed throughout signalled promising aspects for their future performances.