As it happened: Dolphins roll past Rabbitohs; Sharks outclass Dogs

Origin auditions: Blues aspirant Kaeon Koloamatangi got through a stack of work for Souths with 166 metres from 18 runs and 33 tackles while Max Plath thrust his name into Maroons calculations with a try, 38 tackles and 118 run metres.

Full-time: That's three on the trot for the Dolphins who climb to sixth on the ladder with a 5-5 record. The Dolphins completed 34 of 43 sets at 79 per cent and looked to have control for most of the night despite Souths pulling it back to 24-10 with 13 minutes to play.

80 min: Jamayne Isaako adds a late penalty goal to ice the win. Dolphins 32-10

78 min: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow takes the ball 40 metres out from the line and shows all his speed and footwork to slice through and make it seven tries for the season. Jamayne Isaako adds the extras. Dolphins 30-10

77 min: Cody Walker runs the ball on the last and is easily wrapped up as the game fizzled out for the Rabbitohs.

75 min: The Rabbitohs create space on the left edge but Bayleigh Bentley-Hape's final pass back infield goes astray.

73 min: Latrell Mitchell leaves the field after appearing to struggle with a leg injury for a number of sets.

71 min: Cody Walker offloads, Jamayne Isaako gets in the passing lane and knocks the ball down. The Dolphins use a captain's challenge but replays support the ref's call of knock on by Isaako.

67 min: Ashton Ward goes to the line from close range and picks up Euan Aitken who crashes over to make it a double strike for Souths. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape converts. Dolphins 24-10

65 min: A crusher tackle by Jeremy Marshall-King on Euan Aitken on the last tackle has Souths in good field position again. Marshall-King goes on report.

63 min: On the back of a couple of repeat sets the Rabbitohs are finally on the board through Bayleigh Bentley-Hape after slick hands from Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell. The tryscorer has taken over from Mitchell as goalkicker for the night but pushes the conversion wide. Dolphins 24-4

57 min: Jack Bostock powers through a Latrell Mitchell tackle and carries Bayleigh Bentley-Hape over the line with him to post the first try of the second half. Jamayne Isaako fails to convert. Dolphins 24-0

56 min: Isaiya Katoa grubbers into the in-goal and Souths are forced to cover up. The line dropout follows and the Dolphins reload.

53 min: Edward Kosi flies into the corner with Selwyn Cobbo coming across in cover and doing enough to defy the Souths winger as the bunker rules 'no try'.

52 min: Selwyn Cobbo goes on report for a lifting tackle on Campbell Graham.

50 min: Another error by Souths with a forward pass out of dummy half by Adam Elliott but again the Dolphins hand it straight back.

50 min: Herbie Farnworth goes close but is dragged down just short in a Campbell Graham trysaver.

48 min: Latrell Mitchell loses the ball in a Jack Bostock tackle. The Rabbitohs throw in a captain's challenge and come up empty.

47 min: Lachlan Hubner puts his team under pressure with an error but Herbie Farnworth hands the ball straight back to the Bunnies with a mistake of his own.

Kodi blow: After coming up with some big plays in the first half Kodi Nikorima's night is over due to a hamstring injury.

Herbie runs hot: The Dolphins' English centre was at his elusive best with a try, 90 run metres, seven tackle breaks and a try assist. Farnworth was strong in defence on the left edge and gave Campbell Graham little room to move.

Half-time: The Dolphins controlled the game superbly and completed 20 of 23 sets in tough conditions with rain falling at Suncorp. The Rabbitohs came up with six errors and couldn't get anything going on their renowned left edge where Latrell Mitchell was well held.

40 min: Razzle dazzle down the left edge from the Dolphins with Selwyn Cobbo putting a grubber back inside for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow but the fullback can't control the pick-up in greasy conditions.

39 min: Isaiya Katoa in total control as he rolls a kick into touch and forces the Rabbitohs to come out of their own end again.

36 min: Campbell Graham puts the ball down coming out of trouble and the Dolphins go on the attack from 30 metres out but Cameron Murray comes up with a one-on-one steal to defuse the situation.

33 min: A Ray Stone error hands Souths field position but their attack is far from crisp and the Dolphins hold firm with Jack Bostock intercepting the final pass.

32 min: Campbell Graham is put on report for tripping.

31 min: Isaiya Katoa goes out the back to Kodi Nikorima who puts Herbie Farnworth into a hole with a precise short ball. Herbie's fifth try of the season opens up a handy lead for the Phins with Jamayne Isaako's conversion. Dolphins 20-0

30 min: Latrell Mitchell is penalised for an obstruction on Jack Bostock as the Dolphins centre tried to chase a kick. The Dolphins take the tap and chase more points.

26 min: Max Plath takes off from first receiver 10 metres out and explodes through Sean Keppie to score the Dolphins' second try. Jamayne Isaako converts from in front. Dolphins 14-0

25 min: Cameron Murray is placed on report for a 'cannonball' tackle after taking out the legs of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.

23 min: Ashton Ward's no-look pass for Keaon Koloamatangi is called forward and the Rabbitohs allow the Dolphins to work their way out of trouble.

22 min: A loose pass by Cody Walker is toed ahead by Jye Gray and the Dolphins are forced to knock it dead for a line dropout.

18 min: Selwyn Cobbo finishes off brilliant work from Isaiya Katoa, Kodi Nikorima and Herbie Farnworth whose passes are all slick and pinpoint before the winger powers into the corner. Jamayne Isaako nails the conversion from touch. Dolphins 8-0

13 min: Herbie Farnworth at his evasive best and he tries to pick up a support player who is tackled on suspicion by Tallis Duncan. The penalty goal is banged over by Jamayne Isaako. Dolphins 2-0

11 min: Jamayne Isaako rushes in off the wing and forces an error from Latrell Mitchell as the Souths superstar tries to tip the ball on to his winger.

8 min: A line break by Connelly Lemuelu has the Dolphins on the attack but Kodi Nikorima comes up with an error and the opportunity is lost.

7 min: The Bunnies are hot on the attack but a Bronson Garlick mistake takes the air out of the balloon.

6 min: A magical flick pass from Latrell Mitchell finds Bayleigh Bentley-Hape who looks to pick up support inside but the Dolphins knock the ball down and a line dropout follows.

3 min: Cody Walker looks to get a grubber through the defensive line but Isaiya Katoa traps the ball and brings it out of trouble for the Dolphins.

Late Mail

Rabbitohs: The Bunnies are 1-19 with no late changes. Latrell Mitchell returns from a back injury after missing last week's win over Cronulla. No such luck for Alex Johnston, who succumbs to a leg injury that he battled through last Saturday night. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape is due for his first appearance of the season as a result. 

Dolphins: Prop Francis Molo has been ruled out on Thursday due to an ankle injury suffered against the Bulldogs in Round 10. Felise Kaufusi will start the game in No.17. Coach Kristian Woolf confirmed that Kurt Donoghoe would make his return from a niggling hamstring injury that has hampered him in recent weeks while Oryn Keeley and Tevita Naufahu join the bench.

Numbers Game

• The Rabbitohs have scored 30 points or more in their last six games.
• Dolphins right winger Jamayne Isaako has scored 50 points in his last three games.
• The Rabbitohs have lost five of their last six games at Suncorp Stadium.
• Dolphins left winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored six tries in four Magic Round games.

 

Sharks v Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium

Winging it: Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sam Stonestreet combined for 39 runs and 323 run metres while Mulitalo also picked up two tries. Stonestreet was superb under the high ball and both men carried the ball back strongly.

Full-time: The Sharks have a fifth win of the season while the Bulldogs have now won just one of their seven Magic Round games.

80 min: Lachlan Galvin looks certain to score a try under the sticks but is dragged down by desperate cover from Hohepa Puru and Sam Stonestreet and the ball spills out as Galvin hits the ground.

78 min: A consolation try for Bronson Xerri after some slick hands from Matt Burton and Lachlan Galvin. Sharks 38-16

76 min: Enari Tuala shows some neat footwork to evade defenders and get across the line but the Sharks scramble well to hold him up.

72 min: A try double for Ronaldo Mulitalo on return as Nicho Hynes kicks cross field and the winger outleaps Bronson Xerri and Jacob Preston to bring the ball down and score to ice the Sharks' win. Hynes converts. Sharks 38-12

68 min: A neat chip over the top by Nicho Hynes is cleaned up by Jonathan Sua who is tackled in-goal. Bulldogs dropout.

66 min: Enari Tuala goes for the corner but Will Kennedy comes flying across in cover and his tackle forces the Dogs winger to lose the ball.

65 min: Stephen Crichton is placed on report for a dangerous throw.

62 min: Another massive spiral bomb from Matt Burton is allowed to bounce by the Sharks. The ball runs dead and the Sharks have a seven-tackle set.

60 min: The Bulldogs grab the first try of the second half as a long ball from Lachlan Galvin creates space for Stephen Crichton who finds Enari Tuala in support. The winger draws the fullback and sends the pass back inside for Crichton to score. Sharks 32-12

56 min: The Bulldogs go down the short side on the last play and Kurt Mann throws a forward pass to Matt Burton for a meek turnover.

55 min: Siosifa Talakai's error hands the Bulldogs a chance to attack.

54 min: Sam Stonestreet is safe under the high ball again with a catch in his own in-goal and the Sharks come away with a 20m tap.

52 min: On the back of a spilled bomb by Will Kennedy the Sharks are forced to defend back-to-back sets on their own line but Billy Burns cleans up a bouncing ball and the Sharks come out of trouble.

49 min: Another mistake from the Bulldogs inside their own half by Jaeman Salmon and they are under the pump again.

44 min: Billy Burns powers onto a pass from close range and loses it as he tries to play it but referee Gerard Sutton rules ruck interference. A simple shot at penalty goal for Nicho Hynes from right in front. Sharks 32-6

43 min: Lachlan Galvin launches a bomb and Sam Stonestreet comes up with another high-flying take and the Sharks march down field.

Origin audition: Addin Fonua-Blake was immense as he pushed his case for a NSW Blues Origin jersey. AFB had 13 runs for 126 metres and peeled off 23 tackles for good measure as Cronulla dominated through the middle. He finished the night with 170 run metres including 67 post-contact.

Too good by halves: Braydon Trindall had two try assists and two line break assists to go with a four-pointer of his own while Nicho Hynes also bagged a try and had three tackle breaks as the Sharks' playmakers came to the fore.

Half-time: The Sharks take a 30-6 lead to the sheds on the back of 55 per cent of possession and an outstanding completion rate of 92 per cent. The Bulldogs came up with seven errors to the Sharks' two.

40 min: A chip kick from Connor Tracey bounces away from the Bulldogs chasers and Braydon Trindall is on hand to clean up and take the ball dead.

39 min: Lachlan Galvin grubbers into the in goal, Will Kennedy knocks on. The Bulldogs get another chance to post points.

33 min: Great footwork by Nicho Hynes as he leaves three Bulldogs defenders in his wake and slams the ball down for another Sharks try. The playmaker converts his own try. Sharks 30-6

32 min: Jonathan Sua makes a meal of a play-the-ball and is ruled to have knocked on. The Bulldogs throw in a captain's challenge and come up empty. The Sharks take over from 20 metres out.

30 min: Lachlan Galvin goes to the left edge and picks up a rampaging Jacob Preston who runs a great line to cross for the Dogs' first try. Preston's fourth try of the season will give the blue and whites a huge lift. Stephen Crichton converts. Sharks 24-6

29 min: A monster spiral bomb from Matt Burton is put down by Will Kennedy and the Bulldogs get a golden opportunity to open their account.

24 min: Hohepa Puru gets out of dummy half and muscles his way through some feeble goal-line defence from the Bulldogs to post the Sharks' fourth try and the first of his NRL career. Connor Tracey, Max King and Leo Thompson all tried to hold Puru up but he was too strong. Nicho Hynes converts. Sharks 24-0

20 min: Matt Burton grubbers for the in goal and Ronaldo Mulitalo cleans up. The Sharks go short with the dropout and the Dogs reload inside the red zone.

17 min: The Sharks strike again as Will Kennedy dummies his way through on the left edge. Stephen Crichton raced in and came up empty and Kennedy motored through the hole. Nicho Hynes adds the extras. Sharks 18-0

16 min: Jonathan Sua is ruled to have knocked on as he tried to defuse a Braydon Trindall bomb. Sharks scrum.

13 min: Ronaldo Mulitalo takes a high ball on the full and offloads for Jesse Ramien who is bundled into touch as the Bulldogs hang on.

10 min: Welcome back, Ronaldo. In his first game back from an ACL injury the Sharks winger is over in the corner thanks to great work on the inside from Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall. That's 101 career tries for Mulitalo. Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey makes high contact as Mulitalo is grounding the ball and is placed on report. It's also a potential eight-point try for the foul play. Hynes misses the first conversion attempt from wide out but nails the second shot from in front. Sharks 12-0

9 min: A poor pass from Matt Burton is put down by Jacob Preston and the Sharks go on the attack.

4 min: We have our first try of Magic Round after Will Kennedy flies high to bring down a Nicho Hynes bomb before flicking a pass out which is knocked down by Jaeman Salmon. The ball rolls into the in-goal and Braydon Trindall is on hand to plant the ball down. Hynes converts. Sharks 6-0

Late Mail

Sharks: One change on game day with Hohepa Puru to start at hooker and Jayden Berrell going to the bench. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo and centre Jesse Ramien are on track to return from knee injuries. The NRL's longest consecutive game streak will come to an end after Blayke Brailey was ruled out of Friday's match due to a head knock. Cam McInnes has also been ruled out due to an ankle injury. Jesse Colquhoun returns to the starting side in his place. 

Bulldogs: No further changes on game day after Sam Hughes was ruled out with a neck injury and Josh Curran succumbed to a rib injury on Thursday. Lipoi Hopoi and Jack Underhill were added to the six-man bench. Five-eighth Matt Burton is back after illness ruled him out of last week's loss to the Dolphins. Prop Max King returns from a broken jaw and Kurt Mann (concussion) is also back.

Numbers Game

• The Sharks have won seven of their last nine games against the Bulldogs
• The Bulldogs have won only one of their six Magic Round games.
• Sharks centre KL Iro has scored seven tries in his last three games.
• Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton will make his 150th NRL appearance.
• Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes requires eight points for 1000 career points.