Dolphins' NRL team bows out of finals race
Photos courtesy of Dolphins NRL Media/NRL
Newcastle Knights have ended the Dolphins’ dream of a maiden NRL finals berth in their second season this afternoon.
In the final game of the season, the Dolphins went toe-to-toe with the Knights in the first half at Mcdonald Jones Stadium and went to the break trailing 6-0.
It could have been 6-6, but the bunker disallowed a try to Trai Fuller citing an obstruction by Connelly Lemuelu.
As expected, Newcastle’s captain Kalyn Ponga was central to their 14-6 win. He had a hand in his side’s two tries.
Two points came from a bunker penalty against Jeremy Marshall-King for an escort.
The Dolphins’ Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow gave his side a glimmer of hope when he scored a try in the 70th minute, but a fairytale comeback wasn’t to be for Super Coach Wayne Bennett and Captain Jesse Bromwich who won’t be with the club next season.
Bromwich spent 10 minutes of the second half in the sin bin for high contact on Kalyn Ponga. He returned for the final two minutes – his last two in the NRL before retirement.
The Dolphins can hold their heads high, despite the disappointment of not making the finals.
They had 51 per cent of possession and a completion rate of 68 per cent, compared with the Knights’ 75 per cent completion rate.
The difference was 51 missed tackles compared with the Knights’ 43, and eight penalties against the Dolphins compared with Newcastle’s three.
The Dolphins have proved they can match it with the top teams this season and will be hungrier for a finals berth next season. Phins Up!
Photo gallery (click though)
Photos courtesty of Dolphins NRL Media/NRL