Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 22 clash between the Dolphins and Roosters.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
The Dolphins Vs Sydney Roosters
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Date: Friday August 2, 8:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jack Bostock, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Max Plath, 10. Tevita Pangai Junior, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Connelly Lemuelu, 13. Kenny Bromwich, 14. Josh Kerr, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Ray Stone, 17. Sean O’Sullivan, 18. Oryn Keeley, 19. Tesi Niu, 20. Anthony Milford, 21. Mason Teague, 22. Trai Fuller
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Dominic Young, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Spencer Leniu, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Victor Radley, 13. Connor Watson, 14. Sitili Tupouniua, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Terrell May, 18. Sandon Smith, 19. Siua Wong, 20. Ethan King, 21. Zach Dockar-Clay, 22. Robert Toia
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
After splitting results one-a-piece in 2023, the NRL’s oldest and youngest clubs meet for the first and only time in 2024 at HBF Park in Perth.
After sitting in the top four mid-season, the wheels are rapidly falling off for the Dolphins, who are now fighting for a spot in the finals. With six losses in their past eight games, they now sit eighth, ahead of the Dragons and Raiders on for-and-against. and are in danger of losing touch with the top eight.
The Roosters returned to winning ways in round 21, though they made it hard for themselves, conceding three tries from intercepts.
Wayne Bennett has resisted the urge to make changes to the side that gave up a 14-0 lead against the Gold Coast on Sunday, naming an identical 17 for the trip to Western Australia.
There is only one change for the Roosters, but it’s a big one, with Joseph Manu returning from injury at right centre. Michael Jennings is the man to go out of the team, though he was suspended for a high tackle on Jason Saab anyway.
The Dolphins made a perfect premiership debut when they met the Roosters in round 1 last year, claiming a 28-18 victory at Suncorp Stadium. The tide had changed by the end of the year however, as the Roosters roared to a 30-14 victory at Allianz Stadium.
A lot has been made of the Dolphins’ form nosediving ever since Wayne Bennett was announced as coach of South Sydney for 2025: however, five of the six losses in that time have been by seven points or less. A fairytale finals appearance in their second season remains a possibility – with a tough run home, a win in this game will be extra crucial.
The Roosters returned to their high-scoring ways in round 21, beating Manly 34-30 to take their average points per game to 29.68, comfortably the most in the NRL. They also sit third for points conceded, with their second half defensive effort showing what they can do. Bizarrely, despite conceding five tries on Saturday night, they didn’t concede a single try assist, with three of the tries coming from intercepts, one from dummy-half and one a simple dummy-and-run. Trent Robinson will no doubt be looking for a response to that in Perth.
This will be the second time the Dolphins have made the trip across the Nullarbor in their short history, with the first being a 30-28 loss against Newcastle in a double header at Optus Stadium in 2023. This will be the Roosters’ fourth trip to Perth, but their first since beating the Western Reds 25-6 at the WACA in 1995. They also played Canberra and North Sydney there in 1993 and 1994 respectively but lost both. A three-year deal to play home games there was ultimately cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.
This will also be the first premiership game at HBF Park since 2017, with the only matches in the city being played at Optus Stadium.
For the first time in some weeks, the Roosters have their full-strength backline available. As desperate as the Dolphins will be, it’s hard to see them topping the Tricolours in this one.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Roosters by 12 points.
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