Fears were rife when the 35-year-old,who retires at season’s end,left Kayo Stadium with what appeared to be a pectoral concern;however,the club suggested it was more a rib setback that had been suffered.
Jesse Bromwich leaves the field with an injury in the Dolphins clash with the Canberra Raiders.NRL Photos
The latter would likely mean the Kiwi great has not played his last NRL game,but if something more sinister rears once he receives scans,one of the game’s finest props may be denied a dream career swan song.
“We’re just not sure whether he’s hurt his chest,just not sure how bad he is or what’s actually going on there. I don’t know[if it’s long term],” Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said.
“The doctors aren’t sure at the moment,so we’ll get some scans and have a look at it. We’ll battle on,we’re fine,that’s what we do.”
Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders
Dolphins 25 (J Marshall-King,J Bostock,J Averillo,K Donoghoe tries;J Isaako four goals,one field goal) defeated by Canberra Raiders 26 (X Savage,A Mariota,E Whitehead,K Weekes tries;J Rapana four goals,two field goals)
Bromwich added to an absentee list featuring Thomas Flegler (shoulder),Tom Gilbert (ACL) and Felise Kaufusi (State of Origin commitments),as Raiders stars Joseph Tapine and Jordan Rapana ultimately stepped up when it mattered.
was also forced off in the second half for a head injury assessment that he ultimately failed.
In wet Redcliffe conditions,Ricky Stuart’s men appeared to come in with the plan to allow their mammoth engine room – spearheaded by Tapine – to take the lion’s share of the workload.
Two of the Raiders’ three first-half tries were scored through crash plays close to the line – hooker Danny Levi finding second rowers Ata Mariota and Elliott Whitehead to wrestle through the Dolphins’ defence.
Tapine led the way through the middle – his 170 running metres and 34 tackles hardly telling the story of his match-winning exploits.
A desperate charge down in extra-time from the New Zealand international smothered a Jamayne Isaako field goal attempt that looked destined to sail between the posts.
From there,Rapana took over.
Jordan Rapana kicks the match-winning field goal for the Canberra Raiders against the Dolphins.NRL Photos
Before Saturday night,the Canberra veteran had never kicked a field goal,but after forcing a golden point from his boot,the 34-year-old added a second to pull out the win.
But it was before that that he brought out his best –a try-saving tackle on Isaiya Katoa the set after Tapine’s charge down earning a 20m restart that paved the way for his final heroics.
“Jordan he’s an unbelievable competitor. He’s just a warrior,I love coaching him – he’s the hardest man in the world to coach,but the boys just love playing with him,” Stuart said.
“It’s getting harder and harder for him,but he just keeps putting his body on the line,he keeps turning up at the right time. His instinct is second to none.”
Bennett delivers officials a spray
Bennett cut a frustrated figure in the post-game press conference,at odds to explain a host of decisions he felt cruelled the Dolphins’ prospects.
In golden point,Jamayne Isaako looked to nail the match-winning field goal,only for lock Max Plath to be penalised having been deemed to have acted as a blocker.
In the immediate aftermath of Rapana’s victorious strike,hooker Jeremy Marshall-King could be seen remonstrating with referee Adam Gee – adamant he too had been run off attempting to charge down the attempt.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett was left at odds to explain a host of decisions he felt cruelled his side’s chances against the Canberra Raiders.NRL Photos
Both Herbie Farnworth,who starred with 203 running metres and a try assist for Jack Bostock,and Connelly Lemuelu were sent for head injury assessments;however,no penalties were awarded.
The latter ultimately did not return to the field.
“You’ll have to wait until Monday when[NRL head of football] Graham Annesley gives his report about all the mistakes they made,” Bennett said when asked about the officiating.
“The Joe Tapine one at the end there,was that any worse than what Max Plath did? I’ve got two players knocked out tonight,and no reports,no penalties,both were head highs,and they both have to go off the field.
“Connelly got knocked there with a forceful head high,trying to pick up a loose ball on the ground,and there was no action taken there.
“Then the other one with Herbie Farnworth,no action was taken,but both times they get sent by the doctor in the Bunker for head assessments because they’ve been hit in the head.
“Nothing’s going to change,I accept that,I suppose my players need some answers,that’s all.”
Young halfbacks hot and cold,but come up with the big moments
Dolphins rookie Isaiya Katoa continues to amaze for his ability and composure,but also because he is still just 20 and is willing to not dwell on his mistakes.
Katoa’s first kick of the night went dead in goal,but he was quick to bounce back and nail a 40/20 which ultimately laid the platform for Jeremy Marshall-King’s try.
Then he got his side back on level pegging early in the second half,slicing through the defence and getting a desperate offload away – one that caught Connelly Lemuelu’s legs and was swooped on by Jake Averillo.
Isaiya Katoa cuts a dejected figure for the Dolphins after their defeat to the Canberra Raiders.NRL Photos
However in a cruel twist of fate,after a clearing kick out on the full by Kaeo Weekes gave the Dolphins another sniff,it was the Canberra No.7 who proved equally capable of making amends.
A wayward Katoa pass was dived on by the Raiders,and the young Tongan star immediately gave away a penalty that marched Canberra back up field.
Weekes was quick to make up for his earlier mistake,slicing through from close range to score courtesy of some sleek footwork and a strong fend to get his team back in front.
The 22-year-old fill-in for injured veteran Jamal Fogarty also produced a pinpoint bomb for a leaping Xavier Savage early in the contest to orchestrate the Raiders’ opening try.
However,Katoa again fought back,putting up a towering floating bomb that Rapana was unable to hold.
His crossfield kick on the final play of the repeat set could not be handled,with Marshall-King firing the final pass away for Kurt Donoghoe to cross.
Katoa then hammered his second 40/20,providing the opportunity for an Isaako field goal.
While it was Rapana who came up with the decisive plays,the two young halfbacks and the way in which they countered each other set the stage.
“Those three boys – Ethan[Strange],Katoa and Weekesy – they’re young players,they have a lot of longevity in the game. They’re future long-term career is in the NRL,” Stuart said.
“My two young blokes who have only just started playing first grade,they’re getting so much experience at the moment.
“The different scenarios they’ve been faced with over the last month with golden point tonight,two games where we had to come back from being behind,and then we had a really flat and poor performance last week. They’re learning a lot very quickly.”
Milford’s comeback falls flat
Does Anthony Milford still have a future in the NRL?
Despite preseason talk that the former golden boy of the game was on track to remind pundits of his ability,before succumbing to a frustrating hamstring injury,the former Broncos star ultimately failed to deliver with the game on the line.
After looking to challenge the line early,the 29-year-old was rarely sighted in the second half with the game on the line. His much younger halves partner Katoa,who finished with 144m,20 tackles and 536 kick metres,instead shouldered the burden of attempting to get the Dolphins over the line.
Anthony Milford returned for the Dolphins against the Canberra Raiders.NRL Photos
Off contract at the end of the year,and only called into Saturday’s team due to a minor calf injury to Kodi Nikorima,Milford was unable to make the sort of statement that will be needed to warrant consideration for a new contract to keep his NRL career alive.
Finishing with 76m and 18 tackles with eight misses,while also being placed on report,only time will tell if he gets another chance to prove there is still life.