Roosters Edge Dolphins in Thrilling Match Despite Injuries

The Roosters pulled off a nail-biting win over the Dolphins in front of a buzzing sold-out crowd in Perth, taking the game 40-34.

The Roosters were quick out of the gate, with Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i showcasing his impressive footwork to score the first try. They almost scored again, but a fantastic defensive play from Herbie Farnworth stopped James Tedesco just short of the line.

After a strong start, Sam Walker added to the Roosters’ tally with a clever chip over the top for another try. The Dolphins needed to respond quickly, and they did as Max Plath fought his way over from dummy-half for a try.

Momentum switched back to the Roosters when Walker scored again, showing great agility to evade defenders and secure a second try. The Dolphins kept pushing, and Felise Kaufusi broke through for a score before Jake Averillo’s quick hands helped set up Jamayne Isaako.

At halftime, both teams were locked up with penalty goals, making it a tight contest. Just after the break, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow gave the Dolphins their first lead of the match.

However, the Roosters fought back hard, scoring three tries in quick succession, including a double from Sitili Tupouniua. In the midst of all the action, Joseph Manu was sin-binned for a high shot, giving the Dolphins a brief advantage.

Jack Bostock took advantage of the situation and scored for the Dolphins, while drama grew with Jamayne Isaako being forced off the field due to an ankle issue. Despite all the twists and turns, the Roosters held on for the win.

This match came at a cost for the Roosters, losing three key players to injuries. Lindsay Collins went out after a concussion, while Dom Young suffered a hamstring issue and Nat Butcher seemed to hurt his ribs.

Looking ahead, coach Trent Robinson provided a hopeful update that Collins should be fine for the next match against the Eels. The fate of Young and Butcher remains uncertain, but the team is left with some tough decisions to make as they prepare for the remainder of the season.

On the other side, Dolphins’ Sean O’Sullivan expressed disappointment but stayed optimistic about their chance at finals if they could bounce back from this close loss. They now have a challenging schedule ahead with big games against tough opponents.