A first career hat-trick to cult hero Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow led the Dolphins to a 38-0 win over the Dragons at Kayo Stadium on Sunday night.
Coming off a 43-18 loss to the Cowboys in Round 1, the Dolphins produced a staggering 63-point turnaround to open their 2024 account in style.
A sensational start for the Dolphins in the sixth minute when Jack Bostock defused a bomb on his own 10-metre line and raced 20 metres before finding Tabuai-Fidow in support and the flying fullback did the rest. Jamayne Isaako converted for a 6-0 lead.
The Dolphins had a second soon after when Kodi Nikorima kicked across for the right wing and Isaako soared high to come down for his 25th try in 25 games for the NRL's newest club.
A 40-20 by Dragons skipper Ben Hunt in the 15th minute gave his side a shot at points but their attack lacked cohesion and an error by Francis Molo let the Dolphins to escape the red zone.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Try
Fullback Tyrell Sloan sparked the Dragons attack in the 28th minute when he burst into the back field, chipped over Tabuai-Fidow and the two speedsters matched motors before the Dolphins No.1 knocked the ball dead.
The Dolphins continued to play up-tempo football and completed at 94 per cent in the first half to go to the sheds ahead 10-0.
The Dragons looked to have opened their account six minutes into the second term when Jack Bird picked up the scraps and plunged over but the bunker ruled Kyle Flanagan had knocked on in the contest for the ball with Tabuai-Fidow.
Jamayne Isaako Try
On the next set it was the Dolphins cashing in on a Mikaele Ravalawa error to extend their lead to 16-0 when Mark Nicholls plunged over from close range.
A mistake by Blake Lawrie close to his own line in the 58th minute handed the Dolphins the chance to ice the game and they did just that when Jake Averillo ran onto a peach of a pass from Isaiya Katoa and scored his first try for his new club.
Just two minutes later the Phins were in again when Bostock broke clear down the left flank and kicked back inside for Tabuai-Fidow to keep the ball on the toe and touch down for his second try. Isaako converted for a 28-0 lead.
Come the 69th minute and it was Jeremy Marshall-King exposing some tired ruck defence by the Dragons to blow the scoreline out to 34-0.
Tabuai-Fidow showcased his speed and footwork to make it a hat-trick in the 72nd minute and then came up with a last-ditch tackle to deny Sloan a consolation try.
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Match Snapshot
- Dragons halfback Ben Hunt came up with a 40-20 in the 15th minute, his first of the season.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow bagged a double and ran for 209 metres.
- Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima left the field in the 18th minute for a HIA which he failed.
- Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King was sent for a HIA in the 22nd minute after he was accidentally hit in the head by a ball kicked by Ben Hunt. He passed and was able to return for the second half.
- The Dolphins made 1865 metres compared to 1376 for the Dragons.
- Dragons prop Francis Molo was put on report and sin binned for a high tackle in the 77th minute.
Mark Nicholls Try
- Dolphins lock Max Plath got through a power of work in defence with 38 tackles for the night.
- Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan looked dangerous all night and finished with 14 runs and 128 metres to go with 11 tackle breaks.
- Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle left the field in the 50th minute for a HIA which he passed.
- Zac Lomax had 27 runs for 185 metres for the Dragons.
- The Dolphins held an opponent scoreless for the first time in their history.
- Dolphins big men Josh Kerr and Mark Nicholls combined for 24 runs and 273 metres.
Jake Averillo Try
Play of the Game
The Dolphins' fifth try of the night was scored by cult hero Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and had the Kayo Stadium faithful in full voice blasting out 'Sweet Caroline'. Winger Jack Bostock found space on the left and kicked back inside for the Hammer to put the foot down and chase. The electric No.1 toed ahead and dived on the ball to bring up his 17th try in 21 games as a Dolphin and there was more to come later in the game.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Try
What They Said
"We had a few things we had to work on after last week, most of that being effort, so it was nice that the boys turned up with an attitude to want to work hard, that was the main difference between this week and last week. The Dragons like come out and start full of energy and have a lot of line speed and I thought we were able to take them on in that area and then cop some of that at the back end of the game, they had to use a lot of gas and our boys were good enough to take the opportunities that were there." - Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich
Dolphins: Round 2
"That was a complete opposite to what we had last week when we had energy and commitment and today we had none of that. We've still got some work to do and really disappointed that we have gone backwards but we'll shake it all off and go again. Today's performance just wasn't good enough for a Dragons jersey and we're really clear that we're not happy about it. You can't have it one week and not the next week." - Dragons coach Shane Flanagan
Dragons: Round 2
What's Next
The Dolphins have a bye in Round 3 before squaring off against the Titans on the Gold Coast in Round 4.
The Dragons are at home in Round 3 to the in-form Cowboys and can expect a bumper crowd at Netstrata Jubilee as they look to bounce back from a humiliating defeat.