As it happened: Dolphins stay in the hunt; Sharks climb to fifth

Leading from the front: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui did everything in his power to get the Titans home with 17 runs for 154 metres in 58 minutes of game time. He also came up with 35 tackles while Sam Verrills made 41 tackles and Chris Randall 36.

Trai magnifique: Dolphins livewire Trai Fuller had 18 runs for 204 metres, three line breaks and six tackle breaks to go with a try in a scintillating performance, He was ably supported by winger Tevita Naufahu (24 runs for 203 metres and a try).

Full-time: The Dolphins keep their finals dream alive with a 36-30 victory. Kristian Woolf's men sit two points behind the Roosters who get first crack at locking up eighth spot when they play the Rabbitohs on Friday night. Should the Roosters win they are in. Should the Roosters lose then the Dolphins can sneak into the eight with a win over the Raiders on Sunday.

80 min: One last raid by the Titans ends with Jaylan De Groot being caught on halfway as the Dolphins scramble well.

78 min: AJ Brimson grubbers into the corner, Beau Fermor chases hard and tries to tap the ball back but his foot touches the touch-in-goal line and the Dolphins come away with a 20m tap.

75 min: Felise Kaufusi is penalised for a high shot and the Titans get a chance to draw level but Chris Randall comes up with an error. The Titans throw in a captain's challenge but it is unsuccessful. 

73 min: Kieran Foran goes to the air, Trai Fuller spills the bomb, Jayden Campbell picks up the scraps and crosses for a try which he also converts. Dolphins 36-30.

71 min: A Titans bomb is tapped down by Beau Fermor to Tino Fa'asuamaleaui who looks for an offload rather than having crack at the line himself and the pass goes astray.

69 min: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns to the field.

67 min: Kodi Nikorima gets the ball 10m out and throws a couple of dummies to deceive Jojo Fifita before carrying Jayden Campbell over the line with him to post a crucial try for the Dolphins. Jamayne Isaako converts to make it 36-24.

66 min: Brian Kelly takes a kick 20m out from his own line and slices straight through before Keano Kini looms in support but Kelly's pass to Kini is ruled forward.

61 min: The Titans come up with a long range try to get back into the game as KIeran Foran goes wide to AJ Brimson who finds Brian Kelly. The left winger gets a kick back inside which Beau Fermor collects before finding Brimson to sprint away and plant it down. Jayden Campbell converts. Dolphins 30-24.

57 min: Oryn Keeley goes from dummy half on the last tackle for the Dolphins and it's a meek turnover deep in Titans territory.

55 min: Isaiya Katoa schemes to the short side and tries to loft a pass to his outside men but AJ Brimson intercepts the pass and the Titans are off the hook.

53 min: Klese Haas is placed on report for a dangerous tackle after failing to wrap his arms and making shoulder contact to the head of Tevita Naufahu.

51 min: The Dolphins launch a captain's challenge after Josh Kerr loses the ball and the referee rules knock on. The bunker rules no stripping motion by Jayden Campbell and the Dolphins lose their challenge.

49 min: The Dolphins go bang bang with Josh Kerr offloading for Trai Fuller who explodes into space and finds Isaiya Katoa in support for a second Phins try in the space of two minutes. Dolphins 30-18.

47 min: The Dolphins cash in when Kodi Nikorima taps on to Kurt Donoghoe who shows great skill to offload for Tevita Naufahu to score. Donoghoe is filling in at centre for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who copped a poke in the eye in the first half and is suffering some blurred vision. Dolphins 24-18.

46 min: Brian Kelly is penalised for a pass off the ground and the Dolphins go on the attack from 30m out.

41 min: Connelly Lemuelu leaves the field for a HIA after trying to make a front-on tackle in the first hit-up from the kick-off but copping an accidental shoulder. He passes the assessment and is free to return to the game.

Half-time: Big metres for Dolphins trio Trai Fuller (112m), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (118m) and Tevita Naufahui (119m) while Tony Francis (104m) was the only Titan to top the ton. Both sides completed 14 of 18 sets at 77 per cent and we go to the break with nothing between them.

40 min: Klese Haas takes a hit from Oryn Keeley but rides the bump and gets an offload to KIeran Foran who scores next to the posts as the Titans do a superb job to draw level at the break. 18-18.

39 min: Ray Stone produces a trademark hit on AJ Brimson to force an error from the Titans fullback 30m out but Oryn Keeley turns the ball straight back over as the Dolphins' ball control deserts them.

36 min: The Titans continue the fightback when Chris Randall goes to the line and gets an offload away to Jaylan De Groot who crosses in the corner. Jayden Campbell adds the extras from wide out. Dolphins 18-12.

35 min: A poor tap-on by Kodi Nikorima goes to ground and Brian Kelly wins the race to the loose ball.

29 min: The Dolphins' short dropout sails out on the full and the Titans get to reload from 10m out and they come up with a try to Brian Kelly off an AJ Brimson grubber. Jayden Campbell converts. Dolphins 18-6.

28 min: Jamayne Isaako looses the ball in the play the ball and hands the Titans a chance inside the Red Zone where Jayden Campbell grubbers and Isaiya Katoa knocks it dead.

24 min: A cross field kick by Jayden Campbell is tapped down by Beau Fermor to Brian Kelly who puts in a grubber for Tony Francis who regathers and dives for the corner but Jamayne Isaako comes across in cover to force the ball loose.

23 min: Isaiya Katoa kicks early in the count from his own 30m line and the ball goes out 10m into Titans territory.

12 min: The alarm bells are ringing for the Titans as Trai Fuller brushes past Moe Fotuaika on the halfway line and then picks up Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in support and the 'Hammer' glides 25m to score. A simple conversion for Jamayne Isaako. Dolphins 18-0.

10 min: Kodi Nikorima puts Tevita Naufahu over in the left corner for the Dolphins' second try. Titans winger Jaylan De Groot raced in on Nikorima and came up empty as the crafty playmaker got the ball to his winger for a free run to the line. Jamayne Isaako knocks over the conversion. Dolphins 12-0.

5 min: Razzle dazzle attack by the Dolphins but Jeremy Marshall-King's kick at the end of the set is too strong and rolls dead.

2 min: Isaiya Katoa goes high and Tony Francis comes up with a drop to put the Titans under the pump and Trai Fuller brushes through Jaylan De Groot and Jayden Campbell to grab the opening try. Jamayne Isaako converts. Dolphins 6-0.

Late Mail

Dolphins: The Dolphins are 1-17 with no late changes. Kodi Nikorima returns from illness for a Dolphins side desperate to keep their finals hopes alive. Kristian Woolf's men have lost three in a row to fall out of the eight and need a win to stay in touch with the Roosters. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been ruled out with an ankle injury, with Connelly Lemuelu to start in the back row. Nikorima's return will see Jake Averillo move back to the centres. 

Titans: No further changes on game day after Phil Sami came out of the side on Saturday due to a groin strain, his place taken by Tony Francis. The forced switch has opened the door for exciting young forward Cooper Bai to become 18th man and travel with the Titans to Brisbane after setting the Hostplus Cup alight in his maiden season.

Numbers Game

• The Dolphins have won four of their five games against the Titans.
• The Titans have conceded 82 points in two games at Suncorp Stadium in 2025.
• Dolphins centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 17 tries in his last 11 games at Suncorp Stadium.
• Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King will make his 150th NRL appearance.

 

Sharks v Knights at Sharks Stadium

Ronaldo's rocking: The flashy winger had the Sharks faithful in raptures as he came up with three tries and ran for 182 metres in a typically enthusiastic effort. Mulitalo also produced seven tackle breaks while KL Iro and Addin Fonua-Blake broke six tackles each. Ronaldo now boasts 45 tries in 42 games at Sharks Stadium.

Bench press: Cronulla's interchange players provided huge impact when the chips were down in the first half. Tom Hazelton had 16 runs for 136 metres while Siosifa Talakai ran for 82 metres and bagged a try. Braden Hamlin-Uele also helped himself to a try and 90 run metres.

Full-time: Eight straight losses for the Knights leaves them in danger of collecting the wooden spoon with the Titans chasing two points in the final game of the round.

80 min: Braden Hamlin-Uele crashes over to put an exclamation mark on the Sharks' 14th win of the season. Sharks 40-16.

78 min: A consolation try for the Knights as Jayden Brailey offloads for Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana to grab his first four-pointer in the NRL. Knights 34-16.

75 min: Ronaldo Mulitalo goes roaming in search of a fourth try but is dragged down just short. He then comes up with an error as he tries to play the ball and argues the call so Gerard Sutton penalises him for dissent.

71 min: A hat-trick for Ronaldo Mulitalo as the Sharks go 80 metres after a Knights mistake. Will Kennedy picked up the loose ball and found Mulitalo who raced away and sent it back to his fullback who then gave it back to the winger who raced away to score. Nicho Hynes converts. Sharks 34-10.

66 min: A mistake by Teig Wilton coming out of his own end puts the Sharks under pressure but the defence holds firm and Jack Cogger's cross field kick is easily defused by Sione Katoa.

62 min: Billy Burns runs a hard line and rides the contact of two Knights tacklers before offloading for Mawene Hiroti to score. Hynes misses for the first time today. Sharks 28-10.

61 min: The Sharks muscle up in defence and drag Greg Marzhew over the sideline.

60 min: Fletcher Hunt comes up with the ball from a Jake Arthur bomb but loses his compass and runs around in circles before putting in a poor kick that lands with Tom Hazelton.

52 min: Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall leaves the field after rolling his ankle in the first half and trying to battle on but eventually succumbing.

49 min: Nicho Hynes grubbers but it's too heavy and goes dead to hand the Knights a seven-tackle set.

47 min: Knights forward Mat Croker is placed on report for a dangerous tackle.

43 min: Will Kennedy gets a lofted pass over the top to Ronaldo Mulitalo who sails into the corner to score as the Sharks make the perfect start. Nicho Hynes again converts from wide out. Sharks 24-10.

Half-time: The Sharks completed 19 of 21 sets at 90 per cent and fought their way back from 10 points down. The Sharks had 26 tackle breaks to 20 but did make six errors to the Knights' five. Billy Burns and Jesse Colquhoun came up with 51 tackles between them for the Sharks while Jermaine McEwen made 25 for the Knights.

40 min: The Sharks strike a big blow 10 seconds before the break when Nicho Hynes goes to the line and puts Siosifa Talakai over for the Sharks' third try. Talakai ran a great line and left Phoenix Crossland in his wake. Hynes converts. Sharks 18-10.

39 min: A pinpoint Braydon Trindall grubber into the in goal is batted dead by Dom Young and the Sharks get a repeat set.

38 min: The Knights squander the opportunity when Fletcher Hunt comes up with a dropped ball.

37 min: Bradman Best explodes into space and gets a pass back inside to Jack Cogger who loses the ball in a Will Kennedy tackle. The Sharks fullback is placed on report for high contact and the Knights get a penalty.

34 min: KL Iro is cut down just short and by Phoenix Crossland and bobbles the ball as he tries to get it down for a try.

33 min: The Knights are penalised for Greg Marzhew being in front of the kicker at the kick-off.

31 min: Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall combine with two long passes to create space for Ronaldo Mulitalo who goes over in the corner for his 43rd career try at Sharks Stadium. Hynes nails the conversion from touch. Sharks 12-10.

26 min: The Sharks get on the board when Addin Fonua-Blake powers over from close range with two Knights defenders clinging to him but unable to stop him getting it down for his sixth try of the season. Nicho Hynes converts. Knights 10-6.

24 min: Jack Cogger grubbers but Teig Wilton is on hand to tidy it up and the Sharks work their way down field and get another set when Bradman Best knocks a pass down.

20 min: Fletcher Hunt spills a Nicho Hynes bomb and the Sharks get a shot at opening their account.

17 min: The Knights go right and Bradman Best gets a flick pass to Greg Marzhew who comes up with an acrobatic dive into the corner to grab Newcastle's second try as they continue their sensational start. Knights 10-0.

16 min: Jack Cogger comes up with a 40-20 to put the Knights on the attack again.

16 min: Braydon Trindall grubbers and the ball ricochets to Fletcher Hunt, who is playing fullback with Dane Gagai on the wing. 

13 min: Greg Marzhew breaks through but the Knights are penalised for an obstruction by Jayden Brailey and the home side comes inside the Red Zone.

9 min: Nicho Hynes goes to the air on a short side and Ronaldo Mulitalo's attempted tap back goes forward and the Knights come away.

5 min: Phoenix Crossland goes to the air and Fletcher Hunt flies high to come down with the ball five metres out and plunges over for a Newcastle try. Jack Cogger converts. Knights 6-0.

3 min: Bradman Best throws an offload that goes into touch but the referee rules the Sharks had gotten a touch on the ball and rules a Knights scrum feed. The Sharks challenge the call and come up empty.

1 min: Will Kennedy makes a mess of a play the ball coming out of his own end in the opening set of the game.

Late Mail

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. A big boost with KL Iro set to return 12 weeks after injuring his pectoral. The centre's return will see Sifa Talakai shift to the interchange. Emerging forward Jesse Colquhoun will start at lock as the Sharks navigate the loss of Cam McInnes to an ACL injury. Blayke Brailey will take over the captaincy duties as he prepares to go head-to-head with his brother Jayden. The 18th man is Jayden Berrell.

Knights: Greg Marzhew has been added to the starting side on game day in his return from a back injury that saw him withdrawn from the squad last weekend. Fletcher Hunt moves into the centres and James Schiller drops to 18th man. Phoenix Crossland has moved to five-eighth, Jayden Brailey to hooker and Jake Arthur to the bench in further late changes. 

Numbers Game

• The Sharks have won five of their last six games against the Knights.
• The Knights have not won at Sharks Stadium since 2014.
• The Sharks have won their last five games at Sharks Stadium.
• Knights winger Dominic Young has scored six tries in his last five games against the Sharks.
• Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 42 tries in 41 games at Sharks Stadium.