After taking the Storm to the wire in Round 16 the Dolphins will be desperate to reclaim their spot in the top four when they face the Dragons on Sunday.
In the absence of star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, veteran forward Felise Kaufusi and losing Jack Bostock to an early HIA, Wayne Bennett's side showed great resilience to kick out to an early lead at Suncorp Stadium but went down 30-24 in the end.
The Dragons, meanwhile, head into Round 17 refreshed from the bye and with a chance to climb into the top eight for the first time since Round 1.
The Origin representatives have three full days to recover from Game Two but Tabuai-Fidow and Zac Lomax won't be playing.
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Team News
Dragons: Coach Shane Flanagan confirmed on Saturday that Origin rep Zac Lomax would be rested as he nurses a shoulder injury. Christian Tuipulotu has come in on the wing. Maroons reps Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su’A have been named in the run-on side and are set to play. Ryan Couchman and Fa'amanu Brown were retained in the squad when it was cut to 19 on Saturday.
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (shoulder) will miss the clash after picking up an AC injury in Origin II, bringing Trai Fuller back into the side at fullback. Felise Kaufusi played just 10 minutes for the Maroons and will back up. Tesi Niu comes in on the wing for Jack Bostock (concussion). Tevita Pangai junior will again come off the bench after getting through 38 minutes in his NRL return last week. Kurt Donoghoe came onto the bench on Saturday with Ray Stone making way. Josh Kerr and Sean O'Sullivan remained in the squad when it was trimmed to 19.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell SloanFullback for Dolphins is number 21 Trai Fuller
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Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew FeagaiWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese SuliCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max FeagaiCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
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Winger for Dragons is number 19 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Tesi Niu
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
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Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis MoloProp for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De BelinProp for Dolphins is number 10 Kenneath Bromwich
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Raymond Faitala-Mariner2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom EisenhuthLock for Dolphins is number 13 Max Plath
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake LawrieInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Felise Kaufusi
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben Murdoch-MasilaInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby CouchmanInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Tevita Pangai Junior
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano LeiluaInterchange for Dolphins is number 20 Kurt Donoghoe
Reserves
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Replacement for Dragons is number 20 Ryan CouchmanReplacement for Dolphins is number 18 Josh Kerr
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Reserve for Dragons is number 23 Fa'amanu BrownReserve for Dolphins is number 19 Sean O'Sullivan
Dragons Ins
- Fa'amanu Brown
- Mosese Suli
- Ryan Couchman
Dolphins Ins
- Felise Kaufusi
- Kurt Donoghoe
- Sean O'Sullivan
- Tesi Niu
Dragons Outs
- Michael Molo
- Zac Lomax
Dolphins Ins
- Jack Bostock
- Oryn Keeley
- Ray Stone
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dragons have conceded 122 points in their past four games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
- The Dolphins have won five from seven away from home this season.
- Dragons winger Zac Lomax has scored 48 points in his last two home games.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine tries in his past seven games.
- Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will take charge of his 200th game as NRL coach.
Match: Dragons v Dolphins
Round 17 -
home Team
Dragons
10th Position
away Team
Dolphins
6th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
