NRL 2024: Gold Coast Titans defeat Dolphins 21-14

Jayden Campbell inspired a second half comeback victory for the Gold Coast Titans over the Dolphins, putting a big dent in the finals aspirations of the Redcliffe side.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Klese Haas of the Titans celebrates scoring a try with team mates during the round 21 NRL match between Dolphins and Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium, on July 28, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Gold Coast’s faint finals hopes will flicker for another week after five-eighth Jayden Campbell steered his side to a come-from-behind 21-14 win against a luckless Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

But the dubious denial of a Jack Bostock try in the first half, which would have extended their lead, left Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett bewildered.

Campbell set up three tries, two for winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, as the Titans rode their luck to secure their first win against their south east Queensland rivals.

The Dolphins entered the clash having won just two of their past seven games, and needed the win to shore up their spot in the top eight ahead of a tough run home.

But after opening a 14-0 lead in the first half, the sin-bin of Dolphins bench forward Josh Kerr two minutes from halftime proved pivotal, opening the door for the Gold Coast to fight back.

A classic halftime spray from Des Hasler worked its magic at the break, as the Dolphins’ were left to assess their ever-so-shaky finals hopes.

The Titans celebrate a try to Klese Haas. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

“It was pretty easy to assess, we were way off the mark in that first half,” Hasler said.

“We addressed that at halftime.”

Halfback and captain Kieran Foran said the message worked.

“To put it plainly, it wasn’t up to scratch,” he said.

“We don’t want to be playing from 14 behind. We were way off our line speed, way off our contact. It wasn’t up to standard … and old fella let us know about it.”

INVITATION ACCEPTED

For 37 minutes, the Dolphins were all over the Gold Coast, who barely fired a shot as the home side built a 14-point lead.

It came unstuck after a Titans break down the left via Khan-Pereira, and with Brian Kelly looming in support, Dolphins bench forward Josh Kerr took Kelly out of the play.

Kerr was marched to the sin bin, and seconds later it was Kelly who strolled over untouched from a Jayden Campbell short ball to get the Titans on the board.

Bennett didn’t think it was the turning point.

“I don’t think it was the turning point,” Bennett said.

“It wasn’t in our best interest for that to happen.”

The Dolphins rarely looked likely again on a tough afternoon for the 19,533 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

The Dolphins need a lift if they want to make finals. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

LUCKLESS DOLPHINS

They were better on the stat sheet but luck simply wasn’t on the Dolphins’ side – and the Titans ate it up in the second half.

Two Jack Bostock tries were denied by the bunker, one in either half, including a dubious call in which Herbie Farnworth was ruled to obstruct Foran and Philip Sami.

The call bewildered Bennett.

“I’m interested to see how they justify it on Monday, but they will,” Bennett said.

“I don’t know what Herbie was supposed to do with himself.

“He was supporting the player with the ball, we hadn’t scored yet. Does he have to make sure he runs out in a position where no one can run into him?

“I don’t understand. I have to wait to hear what they explain.”

The Titans rode their luck,

Campbell’s passes, which led to Khan-Pereira’s double, both bounced favourably for the visitors, while Kleise Hass’s match-sealing try came after a Chris Randall grubber ricocheted off the post and into his path.

A Keiran Foran field goal iced the result with less than six minutes left.

Tevita Pangai Junior was strong for the Dolphins. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

HERO AND VILLAIN

Tevita Pangai Jr has vindicated Bennett’s decision to bring him to the Dolphins – and beyond.

He returned to the Dolphins’ side not long after his last boxing loss as injuries and Origin duty tore apart the pack, and he has grown into a key part of Bennett’s rotation.

Pangai Jr ran hard, though only racked up 68 metres from seven runs, scored the first try of the afternoon by pouncing on a loose ball, and the Dolphins were a better, stronger unit when he was on the park.