Dolphins lose to Roosters but coach insists peak is still ahead
The Dolphins lost a preliminary final. But coach Kristian Woolf says the team can still improve.
The Dolphins fell 36-20 to the Sydney Roosters in a grand final qualifier at Suncorp Stadium, ending their maiden preliminary final run. Coach Kristian Woolf accepted the loss but said his team has room to grow.
Woolf pointed to eight straight wins earlier in the season, then two losses, then another eight straight. Woolf said this pattern shows the team is building consistency.
Woolf acknowledged his defence gave up soft tries and co-captain Isaiya Katoa battled an ankle injury. But he believes in young players like Tevita Naufahu, Brian Pouniu, John Fineanganofo, and Lewis Symonds.
England five-eighth George Williams will join as a replacement for departing five-eighth Kodi Nikorima. With a sold-out crowd at Suncorp Stadium, Woolf said the loss is one game short of a grand final, not a ceiling.
- Roosters 36 Dolphins 20
- Final score
- Four
- Years as a club
- Suncorp Stadium
- Stadium
- Eight, then eight again
- Wins in a row earlier
Why it mattersIn only four years of existence, the Dolphins have gone from expansion team to preliminary final contenders. This shows the NRL's newest club has structural strength.
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