Match Preview: Round 4 – the Battle for Brisbane

While the Dolphins enter the contest as underdogs, having yet to secure a victory this season, Head Coach Kristian Woolf remains honest yet positive in his assessment of the team. When asked about preparations for this week's match, Woolf highlighted the team's strong preparation but acknowledged that there is room for improvement in the side's on-field performance. 

"We've just got to back ourselves and be confident in what we are doing. Once we stop beating ourselves, once we start taking the opportunities that we are creating, then we are going to see results."

Woolf also pointed to the task of taking on a talented Brisbane forward pack led by Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, adding that his side is up for the challenge. No doubt the Dolphins will look to limit the production of both representative forwards on Friday night, which may be the key to a Dolphins victory. 

The Broncos halves pairing of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt will be another area of focus, with a combined 629 NRL games making them the most experienced halves duo in the competition. Both players are known for producing in big games. Still, they will come up against young Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa, who has been attacking defensive lines repeatedly in the early rounds of the season, leading the NRL in line engagements.

Team Changes

The Dolphins have named an unchanged side for tomorrow night, with Jamayne Isaako cleared of any injury following a minor scare while defending the line in last week's match. 

Kotoni Staggs will return to the centres for the Broncos for his first match in 2025, replacing Deine Mariner, who is named in the extended reserves.

Clash of the Week 

This week's key matchup focuses on two stylish wingers known for their attacking flair— Jamayne Isaako and Jesse Arthars. Going head-to-head in the Battle for Brisbane for the fourth time, both players are dangerous with the ball in hand and will be eager to put their team on the scoreboard. 

As the Dolphins' all-time leading try and point scorer, Isaako has been a reliable weapon for the NRL's newest club.  Whether racing down the sideline or diving for the corner, Isaako knows how to find the try line while also being an aerial threat capable of getting up and over defenders.

Arthars, the equal leader in tries scored for the NRL this season, has started the year with a bang. After scoring a hat-trick in round 2 and averaging a try every 48 minutes of football, the Broncos will be looking for him to continue his electric form on the biggest stage this Friday night. 

Head-to-head Stats

The fifth version of the Battle for Brisbane is here, with both sides ready to stake their claim to the rivalries' bragging rights. The Broncos hold the upper hand, having won the first three meetings of the two clubs, but it was the Dolphins who won the most recent meeting. Emerging with a 34-point victory in Round 26 last year, the Dolphins got their first win over their cross-town rivals.

Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth has scored four tries in his last two games at Suncorp Stadium and will be looking to add to this total when he takes on his former team.