Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett believes two “grand finals” sapped the energy out of his team early in their debut season after the NRL newcomers were flogged 38-12 by the Dragons.
The NRL’s newest franchise stunned the rugby league world in Round 1, beating the Roosters in a shock ambush in the club’s debut first grade appearance.
The Dolphins bested the Raiders and the Knights before facing off against Kevin Walters’ Broncos in the heated battle for Brisbane.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
While the Dolphins were missing key players and an unfortunate injury to Anthony Milford forced a reshuffle, Bennett wasn’t surprised to see a drop in intensity from his side.
“I think you’ve all been waiting for this performance so, we all thought it would happen it week one, it didn’t,” Bennett said.
“It didn’t happen in week two, three or four so we’ve been up for a long time, a month so you know, we’ve kind of played in two semi grand finals to be candid with you.
“They’ve handled it great but today we didn’t play with that energy we’ve been playing with and that commitment from the start.
“The Dragons have been at the other end of the spectrum and I think anyone with any football knowledge at all would know they were going to try pretty hard today.
Manly Sea Eagles Press Conference | 04:25
MORE NRL NEWS
BIG HITS: Young answer critics as Knights and Manly draw in 12-try golden point epic
‘HAD TO PICK FLY S**T OUT OF PEPPER’: O’Brien frustrated with Best no-try
BIG HITS: Grant shines as Storm answer challenge; Latrell‘s Souths leave run too late
‘NOT ABOUT OUR ATTACK’: Demetriou frustrated with Souths’ lack of intensity
“They turned up and have been a different team than what they were the last few weeks.”
Bennett was without both Sean O’Sullivan and Felise Kaufusi tonight, with both players key to their early season success.
But still, the NRL super coach gave his side no excuses for a poor performance.
“Yeah well they are key players in your team those guys, but we are better than that,” Bennett said.
With Milford now injured, Kodi Nikorima is the likely man to slot into the halves.
The veteran playmaker made his club debut against the Broncos and looked set for a long-term stint at halfback.
Knights controversially denied in draw | 00:42
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
However, the former Bronco will now ride the pine for three to four weeks and Bennett was asked just how disappointed he was.
“I haven’t tried to measure his disappointment, I don’t know… he will have to deal with it,” Bennett said.
Dolphins skipper Jesse Bromwich also gave his side no excuses, losing in his 300th NRL appearance.
“That wasn’t the problem we had out there, Milford is a really good organiser, but just the start of the game is where we lost it tonight,” Bromwich said.
