Brisbane Broncos v Dolphins player ratings: Who starred, who slumped, in the Battle of Brisbane
The Broncos muscled their way to victory over the Dolphins on Friday night, but one member of the starting side might be struggling to hold onto his spot in the team after a lacklustre effort.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Battle of Brisbane specialist Kotoni Staggs and unheralded centre partner Gehamat Shibasaki sucker-punched the dismal Dolphins to seal a 20-12 derby victory at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
While Brisbane were clinically commanding in wet conditions, the Dolphins trailed from start to finish, ringing alarm bells for coach Kristian Woolf as they crashed to a worrying 0-4 record.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
1 REECE WALSH
Another quiet game but the wet conditions were never going to suit the Red Hill Ferrari. More importantly, just one error, smart kicks, a trysaving tackle and sublime catch-and-pass for Shibasaki’s second try. RATING: 7
2 SELWYN COBBO
Played like an extra forward with some bullocking runs out of his own end in greasy conditions. Finished with 135 metres in a strong display. RATING: 7
3 KOTONI STAGGS
Instant impact in his comeback from injury, crashing over with a rampaging charge from dummy half. Constantly troubled the Dolphins to make an Origin statement. RATING: 8.5
4 GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI
He’s a Gem. What a year he is having. Ran a nice line for the game’s opening try and terrorised the Dolphins with nine tackle busts and 174 metres. RATING: 9
5 JESSE ARTHARS
Complemented Cobbo nicely with some important metres to get the Broncos sets rolling. One error but atoned with 16 runs and 108 run metres. RATING: 7
6 BEN HUNT
Started nicely with great vision and a nice pass for Shibasaki’s opening try. Drifted out of the game but his combination with Adam Reynolds is growing. RATING: 6.
7 ADAM REYNOLDS
Not overly dominant but set up Brisbane’s offensive nicely in the lead up to Shibasaki’s second try. Could have run more but controlled play well in the wet. RATING: 6.5
8 PAT CARRIGAN
Largely well-contained by the Dolphins. Usually charges or 150-metres plus but has to settle for 131m with 35 tackles. Superb shot on Tim Gilbert late. RATING: 7.
9 CORY PAIX
Excellent solo try with a dummy-half snipe that got the Broncos rolling and broke the Dolphins spirit with 36 tackles. RATING: 7
10 PAYNE HAAS
No monstrous highlights reel moments but rumbled through the middle as usual with 158 metres and 37 tackles in a tireless display. RATING: 8
11 JACK GOSIEWSKI
No-fuss performer who continues to get the job done. Nice try assist for Shibasaki and 22 tackles with no errors. RATING: 6.5
12 JORDAN RIKI
Blockbusting run in the lead-up to Staggs’ try and troubled the Dolphins with 149 metres. Added 28 tackles in his best performance of the season. RATING: 8.
13 KOBE HETHERINGTON
Barely sighted with four runs for 24 metres and 16 tackles. Needs to lift his workrate to stay in the starting side. RATING: 5.
14 BILLY WALTERS
An impressive contribution off the bench. Almost nailed a 40-20 kick and produced a stinging defensive shot to force a Dolphins error. RATING: 6.
15 COREY JENSEN
Mr Dependable ran for 91 metres and 27 tackles in another tradesmanlike display supporting Haas and Carrigan. RATING: 6.
16 XAVIER WILLISON
Took some stopping with 81 metres from eight runs and added 19 tackles in a busy display. RATING: 6.
17 BRENDAN PIAKURA
Would relish more minutes but his savage front-on shot on Herbie Farnworth (see the video below) is testament to his hitting power. RATING: 4.
DOLPHINS
1 HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW
Has gone totally off the boil since Wayne Bennett left. Didn’t have a run until the 24th minute and the Dolphins need more from their strike weapon. RATING: 5
2 JAMAYNE ISAAKO
Couldn’t find a way to get going against his former club. Finished with 18 carries for 125m. RATING: 5
3 JAKE AVERILLO
Pinged for not playing the ball properly and got towelled up by rival centre Shibasaki, missing seven tackles. Scored a late runaway try. RATING: 5
4 HERBIE FARNWORTH
Threatening early and tried hard all night against his old club. Busted seven tackles and ran for 184m but was mostly contained by Staggs. RATING: 7
5 JACK BOSTOCK
Had the most metres (97) of any Dolphin in the first half before copping a heavy shot from Riki. Worked hard for 177m. RATING: 6.5
6 KODI NIKORIMA
Looked confused in attack and made some poor decisions. Struggling at the moment. RATING: 4
7 ISAIYA KATOA
Nice work in Dolphins’ first try then robbed of a 40-20. Classy halfback but still young and needs help. RATING: 6
8 DANIEL SAIFITI
Rebounded after a bad error early and was the only Dolphins forward to crack 100m, finishing with 147m from 15 runs. RATING: 6
9 JEREMY MARSHALL-KING
Has struggled to make an impact from dummy-half this year but topped the tackle count with 41. RATING: 7
10 FELISE KAUFUSI
Nice offload for Plath to score but doesn’t have the metre-eating ability needed in the middle. RATING: 5
11 KULIKEFU FINEFEUIAKI
Terrible defence at marker allowed Paix to score. Promising prospect that is a long way off being a consistent NRL performer. RATING: 4.5
12 MAX PLATH
Give me 13 Max Plaths and I’d be a happy coach. Never stops and was rewarded with a try but is playing out of position. RATING: 6.5
13 TOM GILBERT
Big charge early got the Dolphins going and was in Brisbane’s face all night but missed nine tackles and got smashed by Carrigan. Tough initiation to NRL captaincy. RATING: 6
14 KURT DONOGHOE
Showed some zip from the bench but didn’t get many chances. RATING: 5
16 MARK NICHOLLS
Only four runs for 34m from the interchange to go with 21 tackles. RATING: 5
17 RAY STONE
Went hard when he was on the park, making 26 tackles. RATING: 5
18 KENNY BROMWICH
A late inclusion to add some size to Redcliffe’s bench and made a difference when he got on the field. RATING: 5
Originally published as Brisbane Broncos v Dolphins player ratings: Who starred, who slumped, in the Battle of Brisbane
Three-way battle to replace suspended Broncos forward
Hulking prop Ben Te Kura is one of three players locked in a shootout to win an NRL recall following the suspension of Brisbane forward Jordan Riki. Plus, the Dolphins make a call on Francis Molo’s debut.
Early Mail: Latrell Mitchell set to return in new position
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has been spotted training in a new position. Elsewhere, there’s a boost for the Bulldogs and Tom Trbojevic’s knee injury isn’t quite as bad as first thought.