The Dolphins will be left to rue the one that got away as they gave up a 14-point lead to lose to the Titans on Sunday and slide to the edge of the top eight.
Now sitting in eighth place with a tough month to come against the Roosters, Warriors, Bulldogs and Storm, Wayne Bennett's men need to quickly put that disappointment behind them and focus on the big prize still on offer.
A maiden finals berth in just their second season would be a huge achievement but losses in four of their past five matches have left them vulnerable to the closing pack that includes the Raiders and Dragons, who trail the Dolphins on points differential only.
When it comes to surrendering a lead the Roosters did their best to throw away two competition points against Manly, with two intercept passes from Luke Keary inviting DCE and his boys back from 34-18 to 34-30 with four minutes to play at Allianz Stadium.
In the end the Roosters hung on to claim their 12th win of the season and leapfrog the Sharks into third place on the ladder.
With star centre Joseph Manu back from a hand injury this week the Roosters are in good shape to secure the vital double chance with four of their remaining games against sides currently outside the eight.
Match: Dolphins v Roosters
Round 22 -
home Team
Dolphins
9th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Team News
Dolphins: Coach Wayne Bennett has made a number of changes an hour from kick-off, with Sean O'Sullivan coming into the starting side in place of Kodi Nikorima who has been ruled out with illness. Tevita Pangai Junior has been moved to 18th player as he contends with a calf issue, with Oryn Keeley jumping into the starting side as prop. Tesi Niu is now on the bench.
Roosters: A huge in for the Roosters with Joey Manu returning after missing three games with a hand injury. That is the only change to the side that hung on to beat Manly in a thriller in Round 21. Michael Jennings has copped a two-game ban for a careless high tackle. Sandon Smith is the 18th player with Siua Wong omitted an hour from kick-off.
Match: Dolphins v Roosters
Round 22 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake AverilloCentre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack BostockWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
-
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 17 Sean O'SullivanFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
-
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Roosters is number 8 Spencer Leniu
-
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max PlathHooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 18 Oryn KeeleyProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
-
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath BromwichLock for Roosters is number 13 Connor Watson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh KerrInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark NichollsInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray StoneInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Tesi NiuInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dolphins is number 10 Tevita Pangai JuniorReplacement for Roosters is number 20 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dolphins lost their only previous match in Perth (30-28 v Knights in 2023).
- The Roosters play in Perth for the first time since 1995
- The Dolphins have surrendered a half-time lead in three of their past four games.
- Roosters winger Dominic Young has scored six tries in his past five games.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako scored a hat-trick in last year’s game in Perth.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
