Dolphins Dominate Rivalry Round but Defence a Work in Progress
The Redcliffe Dolphins are sitting two from two to kick off season 2025 after overcoming old rivals Wynnum Manly on Saturday afternoon.
While the Dolphins weren’t fully satisfied with their first home game of the year – letting in two late tries to the Seagulls – there were plenty of promising glimpses as they ran away with the 36-16 victory at Kayo Stadium for Rivalry Round.
Co-captain Max Bailey said afterwards there was plenty to learn from the win – played in sweltering early afternoon conditions – particularly with their defence.
In Round 2 against the Souths Logan Magpies, the Dolphins leaked 22 points and while it was less against the Seagulls, Bailey doesn’t want his side to keep falling away in the back end of matches.
“It’s a bit similar to last week that we got out to a lead and we let them creep back in, let in a few tries,” Bailey said.
“We should have put them away there but it’s happened both games so it’s something we need to address and we need to be finishing games better than we are.
“We’re very pleased with the win but leaking too many points at the moment.”
Despite letting in the two second half tries to Luke Gale and Ronald Philitoga – with Wynnum Manly’s first points coming in the third minute through Sione Hopoate – the Dolphins did enough to secure the match by the 60th minute.
Showing some entertaining and free-flowing attack at times – led strongly by the likes of Zac Miles, Ethan Quai-Ward and Nat McGavin – Bailey said it was exciting to see what could come as the team get to know each other better.
“We put some good shape on and fell into shape really well,” he said of Redcliffe’s attack.
“It’s really nice to watch what we’re doing at training come off on the field. We’re building it bit by bit but getting better for sure.”
Backrower Aublix Tawha opened the scoring for the home team in the 14th minute, with winger McGavin and No.12 Jaron Purcell adding to an 18-4 lead by halftime.
The second half then kicked off in similar fashion, as forward Tom McGrath barrelled his way over just eight minutes after the break.
The floodgates opened momentarily – with five-eighth Dantoray Lui swan diving his way over the tryline three minutes later – before the try of the game came through Redcliffe’s left side combination in McGavin and Will Partridge.
The former Northern Pride duo helped each other run nearly the length of the field, with Partridge getting an offload to McGavin on the 20-metre line.
The speedster then raced away and – as an opposition player closed in – he managed to get the ball back to Partridge to score behind the posts.
Redcliffe will enjoy a bye in Round 4 before returning on Saturday April 5 to take on the Western Clydesdales at Kayo Stadium.