Sea Eagles v Dolphins: Faulalo returns; Stone back on deck
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
11th Position
away Team
Dolphins
4th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Team News
Sea Eagles: One late switch in the pack with Fletcher Baker starting at prop and Nathan Brown going to the bench. Clayton Faulalo takes the No.1 jersey in his return from a hamstring injury and Lehi Hopoate moves to the wing. Prop Hugo Hart joins the bench for his NRL debut. Caleb Navale and Blake Wilson dropped out in Thursday's 24-hour update.
Dolphins: Tom Gilbert will start the game and Francis Molo goes to the bench in a late change. Jake Averillo dropped out of the squad on Thursday after initially being named for his first NRL appearance since Round 19. Tevita Naufahu has been added to the bench. Ray Stone is back from a neck injury to fill the hole left by Kurt Donoghoe (thumb). Winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored 11 tries in his last eight games.
Match: Sea Eagles v Dolphins
Round 24 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Dolphins
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
-
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
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Simione LaiafiProp for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas Flegler
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Brandon WakehamHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 16 Fletcher BakerProp for Dolphins is number 16 Tom Gilbert
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
-
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 10 Nathan BrownInterchange for Dolphins is number 10 Francis Molo
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Max Plath
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nicholas LenazInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Ray Stone
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Felise Kaufusi
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 17 Jackson SherebReserve for Dolphins is number 18 Bradley Schneider
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 18 Josh FeledyReserve for Dolphins is number 21 Tevita Naufahu
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Hugo Hart
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.
