Ladder leaders the Bulldogs were in search of a 10th victory when they kicked off Round 12 against the Dolphins at Accor Stadium but it was the Dolphins running riot in the wet conditions to rack up their fifth win of the year.
Both sides had star players away on Origin duty with Bulldogs pair Max King and Stephen Crichton in Blues camp and Dolphins superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with the Maroons.
The Dolphins showed great control despite the torrential rain and Isaiya Katoa produced a masterclass in game management to get his team home.
Both sides have a bye and a chance to catch their breath in Round 13 before the Dolphins host the Dragons in Round 14 and the Bulldogs square off against the Eels in the traditional Monday afternoon clash on the June long weekend.
Follow all the Round 12 action on NRL.com's live blog.
Bulldogs v Dolphins at Accor Stadium
Match: Bulldogs v Dolphins
Round 12 -
home Team
Bulldogs
1st Position
away Team
Dolphins
10th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Post match
Press conferences
Bulldogs
Bulldogs: Round 12
Dolphins
Dolphins: Round 12
Full-time: And the Dolphins have beaten the Bulldogs for the first time in their history and secured back-to-back wins in Sydney in the process with their 44-8 victory. The visitors were able to keep the Dogs scoreless in the second half as well after they held a 14-8 lead at the halftime break. It was only their second loss of the season, with the first also coming from a Queensland club in the Broncos and also on a Thursday night.
A number of good performers for the Dolphins, with Francis Molo topping the metres for the Dolphins with 145 metres to go with his try. Herbie Farnworth made seven tackle breaks in his 107 metres, also scoring a try. It was a remarkable effort after came out of hospital early this morning after being admitted with a leg infection, flying down to Sydney to join the team in time to play.
79th min: And another! Donoghoe in support chases an inside pass from Lemuelu and finds space, running over to score their seventh try of the match. Isaako slots it for 44-8.
Everyone thought his night was over after his nose was displaced, but after the doctor popped it back into place, he was back on the field and firing.
Kurt Donoghoe Try
77th min: The tries keep coming for the Dolphins, with former Bulldogs Jake Averillo - playing fullback tonight in the place of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who is in Queensland camp - going over. A great run from Averillo off a great lead-up play from halfback Isaiya Katoa. The kick is successful and it's 38-8.
Jake Averillo Try
74th min: Francis Molo charges his way over under the posts after running hard onto a Keeley offload to score. Isaako doesn't miss this time and the Dolphins are going swimmingly in the wet, leading 32-8.
Francis Molo Try
69th min: Commentators curse strikes as Isaako - praised on the broadcast for his up-to-now perfect goal kicking - missing a penalty attempt.
64th min: Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth has now scored a try in his last six games after he goes over from dummy half. The visiting side had been able to withstand the Bulldogs down the other end of the field and were rewarded. Isaako slots it again for a 26-8 lead.
Injury update: Ray Stone has come off the field with a report AC joint injury.
60th min: Donoghoe goes on report for pressure on the kicker, with Toby Sexton ending up in a dangerous position.
58th min: Jake Turpin is denied a try for the Bulldogs, with Mahoney ruled to have passed forward from dummy half before Turpin dived over under the posts.
47th min: Phins go further ahead as Harrison Graham gets the try, with Josh Kerr setting up his man with a strong run to the line, turning and getting his arm free for an offload. Isaako strikes true again and it's out to a 20-8 lead.
The Dolphins were able to find their way to the tryline after back-to-back errors from the Dogs, with Graham getting his first try in the NRL.
Harrison Graham Try
43rd min: The Bulldogs are unsuccessful with a captain's challenge, with Burton deemed to have knocked the ball on. The conditions are just as difficult as they were in the first half for the players, making handling tough.
Halftime: Despite the pouring conditions, it's been an entertaining game so far, with both sides trying to show some of their attack. However, the handling has been understandably poor at times, with the Dolphins in particular able to take advantage for a 14-8 lead at the break.
39th min: The Dolphins hit the lead again with Jack Bostock crossing for an important try. The visitors got their chance after a forgettable passage of play with Burton knocking on when trying to kick the ball, dropping it and having an air swing after getting a poor pass from Reed Mahoney. Jake Averillo helps set up the try for his winger with a run to his outside, with defenders missing him. Isaako slots it for a 14-8 lead.
38th min: Bulldogs forward Hopoi was put on report.
Jack Bostock Try
32nd min: The Bulldogs have a bit of luck in their first try, with a contest for a high ball going back from the hands of Bronson Xerri, with Lipoi Hopoi there to bring the ball back into his body and put it down to score. Burton converts and it's 8-8.
Lipoi Hopoi Try
28th min: The Dolphins go two in front with an Isaako penalty goal which was awarded to them after Blake Wilson was deemed to have changed his line to run Herbie Farnworth off the ball as he was chasing through on a kick. Dolphins lead 8-2.
21 min: Injury update - Burton has passed his HIA and in remarkable news for the Dolphins, Donoghue has also passed his HIA and had his nose put back into place, leading him to return to the field.
15th min: Burton has come off the field for a HIA.
12th min: A big tackle dislodges the ball from Connor Tracey giving the Dolphins the ball and they make use of it, with Jamayne Isaako getting over on the right sideline. His conversion attempt is successful to give the visitors a 6-2 lead.
Jamayne Isaako Try
10th min: Matt Burton take an early lead with a penalty goal, with Ray Stone deemed to have made a dangerous tackle. Dogs lead 2-0.
In that passage of play, Kurt Donoghue was forced from the field after a nasty head clash appeared to break his nose.
Kick-off: The Bulldogs have first use of the ball as the rain continues to tumble down.
Burton: "It's next man up mentality"
Both teams have players involved in the preparations for State of Origin Game One at Suncorp Stadium, including Dolphins second rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki who has been soaking up the experience this past week.
Late Mail
Bulldogs: In a late game-day change, the returning Sam Hughes is back from an ankle injury and will start in the front row following a late switch with Lipoi Hopoi. Josh Curran returns from suspension and is the other prop. Viliame Kikau will captain the ladder leaders for the first time with Stephen Crichton in Blues camp. Props Max King (Origin) and Daniel Suluka-Fifita (concussion) are out. Bailey Hayward starts at lock and Blake Taaffe lines up at centre for his run-on appearance of the season.
Dolphins: Oryn Keeley will start, moving Connelly Lemuelu to the bench in a late switch after the Keeley was added to the squad missing who is missing Tom Gilbert with a pec injury. Jake Averillo wears the No.1 jersey with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on Maroons duty and Max Feagai comes into the centres for his Dolphins debut. Maroons squad member Kulikefu Finefeuiaki trained with the Dolphins on Wednesday and will play. Centre Herbie Farnworth has scored a try in his last five games. Sean O'Sullivan is the 18th player.
