Match Preview: Round 19 – Dolphins v Sharks
Ahead of Round 19's opening match this Friday night, the Dolphins will be eyeing off the opportunity to secure a firmer grasp on the top eight and move to nine wins and eight losses for the season.
With the Sharks in a similar scenario, albeit sitting four spots below the visitors in 10th, Friday's game is shaping up to be a must-watch.
Dolphins Head Coach Kristian Woolf is aware of the importance of this match and the challenge that awaits his side at Sharks Stadium.
"We know that we have to be at our absolute best, and I'm expecting them (the Sharks) to be at their best.
"They're pretty unaffected by origin, they're pretty unaffected by injury. They've got a very good side."
Woolf's goal is for the Dolphins to play in their first finals appearance, and despite a recent run of good form, now is the time to put in the work to make that goal a reality.
"If we're serious about trying to do what we'd like to do in the competition, then we're going to play well in these games."
The Sharks remain the only NRL side that is yet to notch up a win against the Dolphins, and if all goes to plan for Kristian Woolf's side, the Dolphins will emerge from their third victory over the Sharks on Friday night.
Team Changes
The Dolphins are without five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, sidelined until at least Round 23 due to a hamstring injury. Sean O'Sullivan returns to the side in his fourth appearance of the season, partnering with Isaiya Katoa in the halves. Mark Nicholls is named in the run-on side, starting at prop, with Aublix Tawha shifting to the interchange bench in jersey number 14.
For the Sharks, welcome back Daniel Atkinson to the interchange bench, and Billy Burns is moving into the extended reserves.
Clash of the week
This week, the spotlight shines on two flying Kiwis, a battle on the wing, and two New Zealand internationals, Jamayne Isaako and Ronaldo Mulitalo.
The 'Mayne man, Mister Reliabable, the Dolphins' most capped player with 64 appearances, having never missed a Dolphins game in their first three seasons. Since joining the Dolphins' inaugural side in 2023, Jamayne Isaako has been the constant. Having led the league in points and tries in that historic season, he is once again in stat-leading form, currently streaking ahead in the total points tally, with 190 and counting. Whether scoring tries or kicking goals, Isaako's impact on the scoreboard is inevitable, and his presence on the field this Friday will be felt.
Mulitalo might not score as many points as Isaako, but he does bring an aggressive and athletic style of play to the pitch. On three occasions this season, he has recorded eight tackle breaks in a game, while averaging 3.7 per game. The Sharks winger isn't afraid of initiating contact, sitting 16th in tackle breaks and 38th in line breaks across the league. His strike power is also noteworthy, scoring a try on average in every second game across his career so far.
