Dolphins rewrite the history books to leave Craig Bellamy dumbfounded
The Dolphins have pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season and subjected the Storm to some unwanted NRL history.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne was in cruise control at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night when Ryan Papenhuyzen crossed for its third try in the 20th minute to make it 16-2.
What happened next has never happened in Storm history.
Craig Bellamy’s men conceded 40 straight points as the Dolphins ran in seven tries before eventually winning it 42-22.
Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
It’s understood Melbourne has never scored the first three tries of a match and then conceded the next 40 points to lose.
It was an incredible turnaround that nobody saw coming based on the opening 20 minutes and their respective seasons to that point.
It’s just the sixth time in Storm history they’ve blown a 14-point lead and they didn’t just blow it, they detonated it.
Heading into the clash it was second versus 14th on the ladder, but the premiership favourites were completely dominated after the opening tries.
The Dolphins started the season 0-4 but they’ve now won three on the trot to surge into 10th on the live ladder.
Stefano Utoikamanu was pinged for obstruction allowing Isaiya Katoa to give the Dolphins an early 2-0 lead with a penalty goal.
Jahrome Hughes put the ball on a dime for Kane Bradley to leap high and score in the corner as the Storm took the lead.
Slick hands form Jack Howarth put Xavier Coates over in the corner as the Storm extended their lead.
The Storm suffered a major blow with Jack Howarth suffering a dislocated shoulder, while the Dolphins lost Max Plath to a foot injury and both players were ruled out for the game.
Plath faces a potential sideline stint of anywhere between six weeks to six months.
Papenhuyzen produced some silky work out of dummyhalf to slide through and push the Storm lead out to 14.
Tom Gilbert then set up Josh Kerr for a try in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins got themselves back in the game.
Katoa put a kick on a platter for Jack Bostock to leap and score and cut the deficit to 16-12 at the break.
The comeback continued in the second half and the Dolphins took the lead when Kodi Nikorima threw a sensational flick pass for Ray Stone to score in the 46th minute.
Isaiya Katoa then put Connelly Lemuelu over with a blatantly forward pass but the referees missed it and the try was awarded.
Stone then bagged his double when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow chased down a bomb and offloaded to his backrower in the 60th minute.
Nikorima and Herbie Farnworth then got in on the action as Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy could only watch on dumbfounded.
Originally published as Dolphins rewrite the history books to leave Craig Bellamy dumbfounded
‘I never thought I’d get one game, let alone 100’
Cowboys star winger Murray Taulagi has reflected on his incredible NRL journey and the people who made it possible as he prepares to reach his 100th game milestone on home turf.
‘We have to be better’: Carrigan hits back at Broncos critics
Pat Carrigan has hit back at suggestions the Broncos’ forward pack can’t break their premiership drought, but admits they have to improve as they prepare to take on the undefeated Bulldogs.