On the back of two stirring victories Wests Tigers find themselves inside the top eight and riding high under new coach Benji Marshall.
Displaying a resolve not seen at the joint venture for a decade, Marshall's men have rolled the Sharks and Eels in consecutive weeks to give their long-suffering fans genuine hope for a return to the finals.
After conceding 28 points per game in 2023 the Tigers have cut that to 18ppg in their three games this year and will need every bit of that defensive commitment to rein in the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth and Jamayne Isaako.
The Dolphins have also enjoyed a fine start to the season and sit atop the NRL ladder after four rounds thanks to wins over the Dragons and Titans and two points collected for a bye in Round 3.
The addition of Tom Flegler, Jake Averillo and Farnworth has added some serious power and potency to the Dolphins, who have racked up 68 points across the past fortnight and have a range of attacking weapons to test the Tigers.
With games against the Broncos and Eels to come in the next two weeks, Wayne Bennett's men will look to build confidence and cohesion by halting the Tigers' momentum in front of a big home crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Dolphins v Wests Tigers
Team News
Dolphins: Jeremy Marshall-King (knee) didn't train on Monday, but is right to go for the match. Wayne Bennett has made one change to the starting line up, with Kenny Bromwich moved to lock and Ray Stone swapping to the bench. Oryn Keeley remains as the 18th player.
Wests Tigers: Highly rated youngster Latu Fainu will come off the bench for his debut, with Jayden Sullivan moving into the halves to fill Lachlan Galvin (suspension) at five-eighth. Alex Twal (concussion) returns to the bench. Brent Naden remains at the 18th player as the only update to the side before kick-off.
Match: Dolphins v Wests Tigers
Round 5 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
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Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
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Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake AverilloCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
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Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
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Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack BostockWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
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Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jayden Sullivan
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Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer
Forwards
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Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
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Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Thomas FleglerProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
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2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
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2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
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Lock for Dolphins is number 17 Kenneath BromwichLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
Interchange
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 13 Ray StoneInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh KerrInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kurt DonoghoeInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Mark NichollsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu
Reserves
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Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Oryn KeeleyReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Brent Naden
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dolphins have won only one of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Wests Tigers will be aiming for three consecutive wins for the first time since 2018.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored five tries in his past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Tigers have won only two of their past 11 games in Queensland.
- Dolphins prop Thomas Flegler will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Dolphins v Wests Tigers
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .
