Match Preview: Round 24 – Dolphins v Sea Eagles

The Dolphins head south for a crucial clash against the Sea Eagles as they continue their push towards a maiden finals campaign.

Coming off a thrilling win over the Broncos last week, the Dolphins will be looking to carry that momentum into Manly and continue their strong run towards September.

Sitting fifth on the ladder, the Dolphins remain firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish, while the 10th-placed Sea Eagles will be desperate for a win to keep their season alive.

The two sides last met in Round 5, where Manly claimed the victory. Since the Dolphins entered the competition, the teams have met four times, with the Sea Eagles holding a 3-1 record.

Dolphins inaugural player Jamayne Isaako also enters the clash on the verge of a major milestone, needing just nine points to reach 1,000 points for the club.

Isaako has been a key part of the Dolphins’ attack since their inaugural season, accounting for 39.8 per cent of the club’s total points

Team News 

Dolphins 

Head Coach Kristian Woolf has named an unchanged starting 13 from the side that defeated the Broncos, backing the same combination for the trip south.

Ray Stone returns to the interchange bench to replace Kurt Donoghoe, who has been ruled out after undergoing surgery on his thumb. Donoghoe is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks.

Sea Eagles

Clayton Faulalo returns from a hamstring injury to take the No.1 jersey, with Lehi Hopoate shifting to the wing and Blake Wilson dropping out of the side.

Nathan Brown moves into the starting front row in place of Taniela Paseka, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.

Rising prop Hugo Hart has been named on the interchange and is in line to make his NRL debut.

Match-Up

Isaiya Katoa v Jamal Fogarty

The battle of the halfbacks shapes as a key contest, with young Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa going up against experienced Sea Eagles No.7 Jamal Fogarty.

Both halves have been influential creators this season, with Katoa recording 14 try assists compared to Fogarty's 19.

Their kicking games are also closely matched. Katoa averages 456.2 kicking metres per game, narrowly ahead of Fogarty's 450.8 metres.

With both No.7s capable of creating opportunities and controlling field position with the boot, their battle could have a major say in which side takes control of the contest.