Dolphins batter Bulldogs with Donoghoe leading the way

They do not come much tougher than Dolphins’ hooker Kurt Donoghoe.

Donoghoe was on the end of a sickening head clash with Canterbury’s Toby Sexton in the eighth minute of Thursday night’s clash in the Accor Stadium slush.

TV footage showed Donoghoe’s nose bent badly out of shape, and he was forced from the field for a head injury assessment.

Most of the 10,412 fans inside the ground – and those watching at home – were convinced Donoghoe’s night was over.

But the Dolphins’ doctor went to work, somehow pushed his nose back into place, and the youngster returned.

A remarkable comeback was completed when he scored a try with two minutes remaining to seal the 44-6 win.

The heroics of Donoghoe summed up the spirit of a side who simply wanted it more.

Three tries in the final 10 minutes made the scoreline an ugly one for the Dogs.

They will finish the weekend still on top of the NRL ladder because of for and against, but maybe the emotional comebacks against the Sydney Roosters and Canberra in the past fortnight caught up with them.

It was also going to be difficult with 11 players unavailable because of injury, suspension or Origin duty.

Reed Mahoney makes his feeling known.Credit: Getty Images

The Dogs needed big games from their remaining experienced players, including Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney.

But Mahoney came up with a couple of costly errors before half-time, which gifted the Dolphins the chance to charge downfield and take the lead via a Jack Bostock try.

He also did little for his fiery reputation when he dragged Donoghoe along the ground after he had whacked Sexton following a kick.

Even referee Todd Smith warned him he had no more chances.

When the game was 20-6, the Dogs thought they had pegged one back through Jake Turpin, who steamed on to a Mahoney pass.

Smith ruled it forward, even though he was standing behind the defensive line. It was a big call.

The Dogs fans who did well to brave the awful conditions had seen enough well before full-time and exited.

The Dolphins have made it two wins from their past two visits to Sydney. Donoghoe played tough, as did Ray Stone, who played on for several minutes after suffering a shoulder injury.

That’s two bad losses for Canterbury this year, and both have come on rainy nights and slippery playing surfaces. Is it as simple as their smaller, mobile pack being unable to stick with larger opponents in such conditions? Their agility certainly looked diminished on this night. That’s a theory we can stick with until Canterbury prove otherwise.

Jake Averillo scored the sixth try of the night for the visitors, with Isaiya Katoa again instrumental. It’s followed up by a try scored by Kurt Donoghoe. This now qualifies as a thrashing. It’s a 36-point lead and Canterbury have been poor in the last 20 minutes. Dolphins beat Bulldogs 44-8

This is becoming a heavy defeat for the ladder leaders. They’re now trailing by 24 points. Very similar to the heavy loss they suffered in rainy, slippery conditions in a loss to Brisbane a few weeks back. Francis Molo - a man who won’t be getting any Christmas cards off the Dragons this year - scored following some great work by Oryn Keeley. Dolphins lead 32-8 after 75 minutes

Kodi Nikorima in action for the Dolphins.Credit: Getty Images

This’ll be their fifth win. It’s not a lot - but the quality of them is impressive. Melbourne, Penrith and now Canterbury (barring a miracle). That suggests there is plenty of life in this team provided they can become more consistent.

That should just about do it. Herbie Farnworth scores from dummy half to give the Dolphins an 18-point lead with 16 minutes remaining. They deserve every bit of it. They’ve been tougher, and more composed than the team leading the competition. Dolphins lead 26-8 after 65 minutes

Rival No.9s Kurt Donoghoe and Reed Mahoney were just in strife. Donoghoe for a dangerous tackle on a kicker, and Mahoney for intervening before the referee had time to act. It’s all happening. Meanwhile, Dolphins forward Ray Stone finally leaves the field after somehow continuing to tackle with one arm hanging by his side. Dolphins lead 20-8 after 62 minutes

Reed Mahoney looked to have put Kurtis Morrin over but a late ruling off a forward pass resulted in that amounting to nothing. Replays so far have been inconclusive. Dolphins lead 20-8 after 58 minutes