NRL Round 5: Anthony Milford injured as Dragons win 38-12 over Dolphins, Manly draw 32-all with Knights

In the space of a fortnight the Dolphins’ NRL fairytale has turned into a nightmare, with another key injury threatening to derail their 2023 premiership dream.

Jaeman Salmon celebrates a try for the Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos

The Dolphins’ scrumbase stocks have hit crisis point with Anthony Milford facing up to a month out after breaking down in his side’s dismal 38-12 loss to the Dragons at WIN Stadium.

Flying high unbeaten after three rounds, Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have come crashing back to earth, suffering their second consecutive defeat in a horror road trip compounded by Milford’s hamstring injury.

The Dolphins could be without Anthony Milford for some time, going down with a hamstring injury against the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images.

The new franchise travelled to Wollongong already depleted after first-choice halfback Sean O’Sullivan (pectoral), winger Tesi Niu (knee) and utility Kodi Nikorima (head gash) were casualties in last week’s Battle of Brisbane loss to the Broncos.

Now, after just five rounds, Wayne Bennett has a major migraine, with his most experienced shot-caller Milford lasting just 18 minutes in another setback for the injury-hit Dolphins.

The Samoan Test star faces an extended stint on the sidelines, leaving rookie Isaiya Katoa and Nikorima as Bennett’s last halves standing for this Friday night’s derby against the Cowboys in Townsville.

“Anthony could be out for three or four weeks, we will have to deal with it,” Bennett said.

“Those guys (playmakers) are your key players, but we are better than that.”

DOLPHIN DISASTER

It all started so swimmingly. The Dolphins were 3-0. The expansion wonder kids had shocked the league to be ladder leaders with the Broncos.

But in the space of a fortnight, the harsh realities of the NRL are threatening to derail the Dolphins’ fairytale as twin defeats and a raft of injuries turn up the heat on Bennett’s troops.

Milford managed just 18 minutes, before clutching at his hamstring and being forced from the field. Picture: Getty Images.

For all their great heart, depth was always going to be Redcliffe’s concern in their foundation season and the sight of former Broncos $1 million man Milford limping off was a disaster.

“I will look to the skies and say a few prayers,” said Bennett of his growing injury toll.

“We should have Kodi back next week, unless you can find another (playmaker) for me.”

In-form fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow also hurt his shoulder late trying to stop a trybound Tyrell Sloan and the Dolphins will be hoping he is fit to face the Cowboys.

CONTROVERSIAL CALL ALMOST DENIES KNIGHTS IN HISTORIC MUDGEE DRAW

—Maria Recouvreur

Manly and Newcastle played out a miraculous draw in Mudgee, with a full golden point period including five field goal attempts not enough to budge the scores from 32-32.

A Bunker decision to take a try away from the Knights in the final five minutes of regulation time looked like it would seal the win for the Sea Eagles at 32-28. Bradman Best appeared to lock things up but was deemed to have lost control of the ball in the lead-up to the grounding.

The Knights found the line again however, with winger Dom Young scoring his fourth try in the 78th minute, forcing extra time.

Bradman Best was denied a try after a controversial call from the bunker. Picture: NRL Images.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien said he thought the Bradman try should’ve been awarded, but he was pleased with his side’s effort to hang on in the dying stages.

“At 10-nil down had you said we’d end up 32-all, and you’d stop (Daly) Cherry-Evans three times from going for a field goal because you’d have someone pressuring him, I’ll take that. We didn’t have that last year,” he said.

There were 12 tries scored between the sides in a seesawing affair.

Round 3 2020 was the last golden point draw, with Newcastle also involved.

‘WEAK-GUTTED DOG’: SALMON FANS FLAMES OF STUART FEUD

—Maria Recouvreur

Panthers utility Jaeman Salmon has fanned the flames of his feud with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, screaming “weak-gutted dog” after scoring his team’s final try in their round five romp against Canberra.

Stuart famously referred to Salmon as a “weak-gutted dog” in a post-match press conference after the sides played each other in round 21 last season.

It was suggested the outburst was linked to an incident in Salmon’s junior days. Stuart was handed a one-game ban and a $25,000 fine.

Salmon’s 72nd minute try took Penrith past the 50-point mark. They finished the game 53-12 winners against a Raiders team that failed to fire in the second half.

“Good karma, that’s how I’d describe that,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said of Salmon’s try.

Jaeman Salmon celebrates a try for the Panthers. Picture: NRL Photos

Meanwhile Stuart apologised to Raiders fans for his side’s performance.

“The second half was unacceptable,” Stuart said after the game.

“Doesn’t matter who we play, if we play like that. I’m sure a lot of fans would like to know exactly what I’m thinking but it’s better if we keep it in house and deal with it. I’m disappointed for all our fans and it’s going to be a tough week for us to get through that. There will be a lot of deserved criticism. I apologise for that performance.”

STORM SURGE: PROOF MELBOURNE IS BACK IN TITLE RACE

By Martin Gabor

Craig Bellamy questioned whether the Storm cared enough a couple of weeks ago, but he needn’t worry after several stunning defensive plays epitomised their return to glory in a shock 18-10 win over the Rabbitohs.

The Bunnies had all the ball and all the momentum in the final 10 minutes as they tried to get back in the contest, but they couldn’t breach the Storm’s brick wall which had been surprisingly brittle in recent weeks.

Tui Kamikamica stopped Latrell Mitchell in his tracks, Nick Meaney somehow stopped try-scoring machine Alex Johnston over the line and then Harry Grant came from nowhere to drag Izaac Thompson into touch all in the space of a few minutes.

This is a team that has built its reputation on grit sprinkled in with some beautiful set plays, and while those traits were missing to start the season, the Storm appear back and ready to contend for another title.

“I thought they were really brave,” Bellamy said.

“We made it really hard on ourselves at times, but they backed that up with our best defensive game of the year, without a doubt.”

Cameron Munster celebrates scoring a try for the Storm. Picture: Getty Images

MUNSTER MAGIC

People were rushing to write off the Storm’s dynasty following back-to-back losses to the Bulldogs and Titans, but the return of Cameron Munster and some encouraging news about Ryan Papenhuyzen will have them in contention come September.

Munster has been immense in his return from a finger injury and took it upon himself to steal two competition points in enemy territory with a three-minute burst of brilliance that few in the league could have produced.

The fiery five-eighth conjured something out of nothing when he broke through from dummy-half early in the second half for what should have been a gift four points, only for his pass to Justin Olam to hit the turf.

“We have to ice that opportunity,” Bellamy said.

“That’s what you get with Munster sometimes.”

But it was second time lucky for the magic man when Xavier Coates sprinted down the left and then kicked back infield for Munster who scored to make it 18-6.

The Storm are now 3-2 and get halfback Jahrome Hughes for next week’s game against the Roosters, while Papenhuyzen’s recovery is tracking well after he was able to run on grass for the first time this week.

Originally published as NRL Round 5: Anthony Milford injured as Dragons win 38-12 over Dolphins, Manly draw 32-all with Knights