The Dolphins’ dream of creating the NRL finals of their debut season appears shot following a gut-wrenching 23-22 loss to Canterbury in Bundaberg.
Prolific winger Jamayne Isaako had a last-minute probability to kick the Dolphins to victory at Salter Oval on Sunday however, to the devastation of teammates, the competitors’s main point-scorer hooked the conversion try from close to the suitable sideline left of the goalposts.
Two second-half tries to the league’s forgotten man Anthony Milford and one other to cult determine Valynce Te Whare helped the Dolphins regain the lead in a seesawing encounter.
Alas for followers of the premiership newcomers, a 69th-minute attempt to winger Blake Wilson off a suspect ahead cross from halfback Toby Sexton in the end earned Canterbury the 2 treasured competitors factors.
The Bulldogs’ victory virtually actually additionally consigned Wests Tigers to back-to-back picket spoons.
The underside-placed Tigers now path the second-last St George Illawarra by 4 factors with 5 video games remaining, with the Bulldogs six away from Tim Sheens’ cellar dwellers with a bye to return plus a extra snug run dwelling.
The Tigers will probably have to vogue three unbelievable wins from their remaining matches towards Canberra, the Warriors, the Dolphins, Sydney Roosters and Manly to keep away from a second straight spoon.
The Dolphins, in the meantime, will probably be lamenting blowing an early 8-0 lead and lacking a golden alternative to climb to inside two factors of the highest eight.
Isaako had given Wayne Bennett’s facet a dream begin with a attempt, conversion and penalty contained in the opening quarter of an hour.
However Canterbury hit again with tries to Viliame Kikau and Braidon Burns and a late area objective from Matt Burton to take an 11-8 result in the break.
The lead modified palms twice within the second half however the Bulldogs held on.
If the Dolphins do miss the finals, it is going to be a bitterly disappointing finish to what started as a fairytale maiden marketing campaign within the NRL.
The Redcliffe outfit had been the shock competitors leaders after successful their opening three video games and had been nonetheless within the prime eight after the midway level of the season.
However with solely two wins previously 10 weeks, the Dolphins now want a miracle to make the playoffs.
