Coach Shane Flanagan furious after Dragons’ 38-0 defeat to Dolphins

The Dragons headed into their clash with the Dolphins as favourites, only to be handed a 38-0 defeat. Coach Shane Flanagan didn’t mince his words after the thumping loss.

Dragons star Zac Lomax reacts during his side's loss to the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan hasn’t minced his words following his side’s disappointing 38-0 loss to the Dolphins.

The Dragons were aiming to secure their first consecutive back-to-back away victories since round four and five of 2021 but were handed a rude awakening thanks to a 38-0 scoreline on Sunday afternoon.

Despite being favourites heading into the match the visitors found themselves down 10-0 at half-time and were never able to wrestle back momentum.

“We weren’t the better team at half-time but I thought we hung in there and thought we could come back,” head coach Shane Flanagan said after the match.

“The second half was even worse again so we’ve still got some work to do and I’m really really disappointed that we’ve gone backwards.”

Shane Flanagan was disappointed by the Dragons’ poor performance. Picture: NRL Photos

The Dolphins piled on a further five tries in the second half while Francis Molo was sent to the bin at the 76th minute mark.

“Today’s performance wasn’t good enough for a Dragons jersey,” Flanagan said.

“Give credit to the opposition, I thought they were really tidy as they stuck to a game plan, ran hard and had only three errors the whole game so we were poor and they were good.”

Dragons halfback and captain Ben Hunt said his side struggled to find themselves in the contest.

“Right from the jump it felt like we were on the back foot,” Hunt said.

“They (Dolphins) ran harder, won the play the ball, were too quick at the ruck and Jeremy Marshall-King gave us a bit of a bath to be honest.”

Dragons players react during their side's loss to the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

Hunt also commended the performance of rising halfback Isaiya Katoa.

“I thought he was excellent, his forwards set a really good platform for him and he didn’t overplay his hand as he controlled and kicked really well,” Hunt said.

“He’s got a bright future.”

Dolphins head coach Wayne Bennett was pleased with his side’s turnaround after a disappointing round one loss to the Cowboys.

Bennett and captain Jesse Bromwich said they were happy to see an improved performance from star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who was able to capture a career first hat trick.

“I don’t know why he played like he did last week and I don’t know why he played like he did this week, he’s the key to it,” Bennett said.

“He’s obviously very talented but the way he’s been able to turn his performances around from last week to this week, I’m really proud of him,” Bromwich added.

The Dolphins have the bye in round three while the Dragons will host the Cowboys at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

HAMMER SHINES AS DOLPHINS DOMINATE DRAGONS

A week on from his underwhelming round one performance, Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has bounced back in a big way, scoring a well-earned career-first hat-trick and helping his side to their biggest ever victory.

Despite picking up a Dally M vote in his side’s 43-18 round one defeat against the Cowboys, the 22-year-old was nowhere near his best.

The eclectic outside back was able to silence the critics in the opening five minutes thanks to a stunning 70m breakaway run assisted by winger Jack Bostock.

That effort seemingly boosted the fullback into the game as he then stepped up on both sides of the footy.

A further two second half tries and two try saving plays was enough for him to lead the Dolphins to their biggest-ever victory with the match finishing 38-0.

New Dolphins recruit Jake Averillo was also able to cross the white line which furthered Shane Flanagan’s poor record against Bennett taking their rivalry to 10 loses from 13 matches.

The Dolphins bounced back in a convincing way. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

KATOA STEPS UP

Just a week after the 20-year-old was a shock omission for the Dolphins in their season opener, the livewire halfback went head-to-head with Dragons and Queensland Origin star Ben Hunt.

Following a positive winning performance for the Dolphins feeder club Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup, supercoach Wayne Bennett put his faith in Katoa who replaced first-choice half Sean O’Sullivan.

A major HIA blow to his halves partner Kodi Nikorima in the 18th minute mark meant even more eyes were locked onto the former Penrith junior, who stepped up and helped guide his side around the park.

Katoa finished with 65 run metres, 20 post contact metres, two line break assists, one try assist, 19 tackles and 474 kicking metres from 18 kicks.

The Dragons struggled to contain the Dolphins’ attack. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

RISING ROOKIES SHOW THEIR CLASS

Nikorima’s HIA blow was also an invitation for starting Dolphins lock Max Plath to show his class as the 22-year-old shifted directly into the right side attack, showing glimpses of quality.

Plath, who only played two games in 2023, came off the bench against the Cowboys in round one but was crucial in his side’s huge win as he finished with 38 tackles, 10 hit ups, three tackle breaks and 46 post contact metres.

Despite not being able to find the scoresheet, Dolphins winger Jack Bostock was also impressive on Sunday afternoon.

The 20-year-old was influential early, winning a contesting duel against Zac Lomax which set up Tabuai-Fidow for the first of the match.

He was able to double his try-assist tally in the second half thanks to an in-field kick for Tabuai-Fidow’s second.

His final state line read 15 runs for 159 metres, 32 post contact metres, one line break and two tackle breaks.

It’s back to the drawing board for the Dragons. Picture: NRL Photos

LACK OF RED V FLAIR

Sunday’s round 2 defeat was the Dragons’ biggest loss since 2018 as they failed to capitalise and execute on a number of occasions.

Jack de Belin and Ben Hunt were the Dragons two best players but could not find any momentum close to the line.

Originally published as Coach Shane Flanagan furious after Dragons’ 38-0 defeat to Dolphins