'Spectacular' Dolphin etches name in NRL record books; Warriors ...

The Dolphins have finished their inaugural NRL season on a high, beating the high-flying Warriors 28-10 in Round 27.

Andrew Webster took the opportunity to rest several key stars with their top four spot secured, but now wait for the Panthers and Cowboys game to see their first-week opponent.

If Ivan Cleary’s men get the job done against North Queensland, Penrith win the minor premiership and will play the Warriors in fourth place.

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On Saturday afternoon, Wayne Bennett’s side crossed first, with young gun Jack Bostock scoring in the corner.

The finish was labelled “spectacular” by league legend Corey Parker, capping off a darting run from Tesi Niu.

Later Sean O’Sullivan went himself, diving straight through the Warriors defence to score virtually untouched against the team he played 12 games for in 2021.

The Dolphins barrage then continued, with prop Jarrod Wallace standing in as a playmaker, finding Isaiya Katoa in space to score a third try.

Next to cross was Jamayne Isaako, adding to his impressive season tally to sit atop the try-scoring leaderboard with 24.

He also tallied 14 total points and will almost certainly win the NRL’s points tally in an impressive season.

The Warriors scored two second-half tries via Freddy Lussick and Marcelo Montoya, but it wasn’t enough to get them back in the game.

Then a four-pointer to two-game rookie Max Plath sealed New Zealand’s fate and confirmed their fourth-placed finish.

Kenny Bromwich also put the icing on the cake to finish the Dolphins’ debut season with a 50-metre team try.

THE DOLPHINS’ THIRD HALFBACK?

The Dolphins may have unearthed the “world’s biggest halfback” after a moment of brilliance from prop Jarrod Wallace.

The 32-year-old enforcer has been one of Wayne Bennett’s most consistent players this season and was one of the best on field in Round 27.

In the 25th minute, Wallace found himself with ball in hand in the middle of the field, hitting young gun Isaiya Katoa with an inch-perfect pass to score, leaving commentators stunned.

“They are playing with three halves, they’ve got O’Sullivan, Nikorima and they’ve got Wallace,” Warren Smith said.

“What a ball by Jarrod Wallace, he is the world’s biggest halfback.”

“He has had a terrific season for Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins,” Corey Parker said.

“He’s just got that little bit of X-factor about him doesn’t he, beautiful skill there,” Steve Roach said.

Wallace finished the afternoon with four offloads, 72 running metres and a try assist, playing an integral role in the club’s success in their first season in the NRL.

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ISAAKO ETCHES HIS NAME IN THE HISTORY BOOKS

The Dolphins have been impressive in their first season in the NRL, and winger Jamayne Isaako has etched his name in the history books.

The 27-year-old was unwanted at the Broncos and left mid-season to join the Titans in 2022 before making the move to the NRL’s new franchise.

While the Dolphins’ Queensland rivals didn’t have him in their plans, Wayne Bennett handed the gun winger the keys and has reaped the rewards.

Isaako is set to finish as the NRL’s top try scorer and point scorer, the first player since legendary Raiders gun Mal Meninga to achieve the double.

The gun winger finished his season with 24 tries and currently sits three tries ahead of Dominic Young who is yet to play in Round 27.

“He will be the highest try scorer in the competition, that is 24 from 24 and yes I am calling it,” Corey Parker said.

Many pundits tipped Wayne Bennett’s side to win a wooden spoon in their first season, but have stunned the NRL world.

The Dolphins have the third-most members in the competition and finished the year with nine wins – a solid return in their inaugural campaign.

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WARRIORS’ FINALS FATE

The Warriors have been one of the surprise packages of the 2023 season and their finals fate will be clear after the Cowboys and Panthers clash.

Andrew Webster’s side have finished fourth, meaning they will play the minor premiers in the first week of finals.

If Penrith beat North Queensland, Webster’s side will take a trip to the foot of the Blue Mountains.

But with a Panthers loss, they will head to Suncorp Stadium to face the red-hot Broncos fresh off a loss to the Storm.

Either way, the Warriors will feature in the second week of finals if they lose in week one – but Webster is set to welcome back a wave of troops.

Against the Dolphins he was without eight players, resting key stars Shaun Johnson, Wayne Egan, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Meanwhile, skipper Tohu Harris is also under an injury cloud and is racing the clock to return from a back injury.

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