The Dolphins secured a dramatic 26-24 victory over the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, with Jamayne Isaako converting a sideline attempt in the 78th minute to seal the win. The match, played in front of 40,465 fans, marked the sixth consecutive meeting between the two sides decided by four points or less.
Isaako makes history with 14-point haul
Isaako became the first player in 118 years to score 12 or more points in nine consecutive matches, contributing two tries and three conversions for a 14-point total. The achievement underscores his remarkable consistency as a point-scorer.
Warriors bench utility Samuel Healey crashed over in the 75th minute to give the visitors a 24-20 lead after an error by winger Selwyn Cobbo. However, Cobbo responded with a try three minutes later to level the scores, setting the stage for Isaako's match-winning conversion.
Katoa injury forces early change
Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa left the field in the 13th minute after dislocating his wrist. Medicos relocated the joint on the sideline, and Katoa remained on the bench with his left arm in a sling, later celebrating the win.
Bench utility Brad Schneider replaced Katoa, but it was off-contract five-eighth Kodi Nikorima who took control. Nikorima notched his 23rd linebreak assist of the season, the most in the NRL, when he put centre Herbie Farnworth over for a try. He also stripped the ball off Warriors centre Adam Pompey on the cusp of halftime, leading to Isaako's try that gave the Dolphins a 16-12 lead at the break.
Injuries and courage on display
Cobbo was taken for a head injury assessment in the 20th minute but passed and returned to the field. Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak suffered a hamstring injury in the second half and did not return. Both sides displayed enormous courage under physical duress.
The Warriors were without forwards James Fisher-Harris, Jackson Ford, and Leka Halasima, but showcased their depth as second-rower Jacob Laban had a standout performance. Laban scored a try after leaping above Cobbo to catch a Chanel Harris-Tavita bomb, and later soared again to catch another bomb, leading to Watene-Zelezniak's try in the corner.
Key moments and defensive heroics
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made a crucial defensive play on Queensland teammate Kurt Capewell to deny the Warriors an early try. At the other end, Cobbo scored in the corner with a sublime finish.
Nikorima's linebreak assist to Farnworth extended the Dolphins' lead, and Isaako's magic hands scooped up a Jack Bostock grubber at full tilt to score a classic try. The Warriors hit back with tries from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Healey to take the lead, but Cobbo and Isaako combined for the late heroics.
The win was the Dolphins' eighth straight under coach Kristian Woolf, keeping them in contention for a top-four spot.
