By Nick Wright
For all the attacking mastery within the Broncos’ ranks, perhaps the most significant change in the Michael Maguire era has become their ability to launch assaults on the back of their defence.
Last year, when Brisbane lost 10 of their final 13 clashes, it was safe money to assume if they were defending multiple sets they would yield, and an avalanche of points would ensue.
But the battle of Brisbane – falling 20-12 in their favour – proved the third time in their three wins the Broncos had all the running against them early, and yet held their line and charged on to victory.
The Dolphins looked certain to score first in the opening 10 minutes, with a Tom Gilbert break just the first attacking chance. But they were repelled frequently, only to concede twice in quick succession.
Even after Max Plath cut the margin back to four points, a returning Kotoni Staggs took it upon himself to muscle his way through the defence to extend the lead once again.
Despite having less ball – 49 per cent of possession in the first half – Brisbane’s ball control in wet conditions to complete 17 of 18 sets showcased the disciplined mentality this team is taking under Maguire, and that theme continued in the second stanza.
It has been off the back of that the attacking juggernauts of the team have taken over.
“It’s just resilience, the coaching staff have done a fantastic job in prepping us for facing a bit of adversity … and continually turning up for one another. The hungrier we are as a team, the better we’re going to be defensively.”
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With the opening two tries of the night, Maguire’s bold selection calls were vindicated once again.
A Jack Gosiewski offload for Gehamat Shibasaki to score was followed by a Cory Paix dart over the line three minutes later to take the Dolphins from on the front foot to reeling.
Gehamat Shibasaki scores for the Brisbane Broncos against the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
The trio have kept grand final hooker Billy Walters and 2024 Queensland Maroons squad member Brendan Piakura on the bench, while livewire centre Deine Mariner was left out of the team altogether upon Staggs’ comeback from a quad injury.
They may have been team sheet calls which drew the ire of some fans, but Maguire has undoubtedly been justified.
Shibasaki’s story is one of resilience – Friday night’s man of the match performance marking the first time since 2020 he has played four consecutive NRL games between stints at North Queensland, Newcastle and South Sydney.
Finishing with two tries, two linebreaks, nine tackle busts and 186 running metres, the 26-year-old’s form looks to ensure Mariner remains in reserve grade for the foreseeable future, despite his standing as one of the Broncos’ most exciting outside back prospects.
“He got himself in shape to play at this level, and people probably don’t see what he’s done in the background. He left his family up north, came down and wanted to take an opportunity, and he’s definitely taken that.”
Michael Maguire
While Piakura will keep the pressure on Gosiewski – his bone-rattling hit on Herbie Farnworth to force an error a late highlight – Walters’ long-term future will remain under a cloud given Paix’s remarkable rise from NRL exile to his stranglehold of the No.9 jumper.
His 36 tackles for one miss was bettered only by Payne Haas’ 41, while his try backed his declaration earlier in the week that he would “resurrect’ his running game.
What is keeping the Hammer in the toolbox?
He is the Dolphins’ most lethal and crucial attacking weapon, and yet Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been a shadow of the threat his NRL rivals and fans know him to be.
Having been kept quiet against the Tigers last week, the 23-year-old showed more promising signs of life in the second half, but has failed to consistently make his presence felt throughout a contest this year.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
Of his 156 running metres from 19 carries, 91 of them were from kick returns, with several of those remaining gains coming with 14 minutes to go when he latched onto a late Daniel Saifiti offload through the middle.
In contrast, his teammate Herbie Farnworth was a workhorse, running for 199 metres and 11 tackle busts from 26 touches to no avail.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said on the eve of the contest that a quiet season for “The Hammer” had been less about him hunting for work and more about the lack of good ball he had received.
There is merit to the argument, with his men claiming 61 per cent of the territory yet were only able to score once before Jake Averillo’s length-of-the-field try with four minutes remaining.
But when the likes of Tom Trbojevic, Jye Gray and Dylan Edwards to name a few have gone searching for their opportunities, perhaps it is time Tabuai-Fidow took a leaf out of their book.
But Woolf leapt to his star’s defence.
“There were a couple of times there we’ve turned blokes under and he’s pushing through the middle, but if we can find a pass he’s in space. I thought he did a good job there on a number of occasions just getting us on the front foot under pressure.”
Kristian Woolf on Tabuai-Fidow
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Just as was the case in their defeat to Wests Tigers, only Saifiti was able to top 100 running metres among the Dolphins’ forward pack.
But even with recruit Francis Molo now in Redcliffe, Woolf refused to confirm he would be parachuted into the side.
Woolf has long been a fan of the 30-year-old’s aggression and physicality, and that is the brand the Dolphins need to overturn a winless opening month to the campaign.
Saifiti’s 146 running metres was a lone hand up front for the club, with Felise Kaufusi (96 metres from 14 carries), Mark Nicholls (40 metres from four carries) and Kenny Bromwich (63 metres from seven carries) failing to trouble the Broncos’ middle men.
“Daniel’s been our best player. He’s been outstanding for us, and he’s certainly putting his hand up not just wanting to carry but do the defensive work as well. We do need to support him a little bit more at times.”
Kristian Woolf
In contrast, Payne Haas (153 metres), Pat Carrigan (140 metres) and Jordan Riki (150 metres) worked their rivals around, but Woolf declared he would not hit the panic button and rush Molo in.
“He’s done his own training and looks really good and fit, but he hasn’t done anything with a team for eight or nine weeks. We need to make sure we protect him a little bit and get some training and contact into him. I don’t think it would be fair on him or anyone to throw him in straight away.”
Kristian Woolf on Francis Molo
Brisbane Broncos celebrate against the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos