Sea Eagles v Dolphins: Faulalo returns; Averillo good to go
After winning seven of their first eight games under Kieran Foran, the Sea Eagles have hit the skids with five losses in a row to all but kiss their finals chances goodbye.
The Sea Eagles now sit four points behind the eighth-placed Cowboys and face a tough run home with three of their four games against current top-eight sides (Dolphins, Knights, Warriors).
Last weekend's loss to the Storm was a hammer blow for Foran's men as they gave up a 14-0 lead and conceded 42 unanswered points before a late consolation try to Blake Wilson.
And speaking of piling on points that's exactly what the potent Dolphins did as they roared back from 24-0 down midway through the first half to salute 40-32 in the Battle of Brisbane.
The Dolphins have secured their first finals appearance since joining the competition in 2023 and can now set their sights on the top four and a double chance.
Match: Sea Eagles v Dolphins
Round 24 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
away Team
Dolphins
5th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sea Eagles: Clayton Faulalo returns from a hamstring injury and takes the No.1 jersey with Lehi Hopoate moving to the wing and Blake Wilson drops out. Nathan Brown starts at prop in place of Taniela Paseka (knee). The new face on the bench is rising prop Hugo Hart who is line for his NRL debut on the back of 22 NSW Cup games across the past two seasons. Ben Trbojevic remains sidelined after suffering a concussion in Round 21.
Dolphins: The loss of Kurt Donoghoe to a thumb injury is offset by Ray Stone's return from a neck injury suffered in Round 22 against the Dragons. Jake Averillo made his comeback from a rib injury through Qld Cup last week and has been added to the bench for his first NRL appearance since Round 19.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Clayton FaulaloFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jack Bostock
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joey WalshFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
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Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Simione LaiafiProp for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas Flegler
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Brandon WakehamHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Nathan BrownProp for Dolphins is number 10 Francis Molo
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Max Plath
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nicholas LenazInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Ray Stone
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Tom Gilbert
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Jackson SherebInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Felise Kaufusi
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Josh FeledyInterchange for Dolphins is number 18 Bradley Schneider
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Hugo HartInterchange for Dolphins is number 19 Jake Averillo
Reserves
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Onitoni LargeReserve for Dolphins is number 20 Sebastian Su'a
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Caleb NavaleReserve for Dolphins is number 21 Tevita Naufahu
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Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Blake WilsonReserve for Dolphins is number 22 Brian Pouniu
Sea Eagles Ins
- Caleb Navale
- Clayton Faulalo
- Hugo Hart
- Onitoni Large
Dolphins Ins
- Jake Averillo
- Ray Stone
- Sebastian Su'a
- Tevita Naufahu
Sea Eagles Outs
- Taniela Paseka
Dolphins Ins
- Kurt Donoghoe
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have scored a half century of points in three of their four games against the Dolphins.
- Dolphins winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored 11 tries in his last eight games.
- The Sea Eagles have conceded 128 points in their last three games.
- Winger Jamayne Isaako requires nine points for 1000 points for the Dolphins.
- Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
