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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.

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.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
  • Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
  • Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 17 Sean O'Sullivan
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
  • Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

  • Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Spencer Leniu
  • Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
  • Prop for Dolphins is number 18 Oryn Keeley
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
  • 2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
  • 2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
  • Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Connor Watson

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Tesi Niu
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dolphins is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior
    Replacement 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.

Acknowledgement of Country

Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.