This was the performance which announced Isaiya Katoa as more than one of the NRL’s most promising young prospects, but a genuine match-winner who can lift the Dolphins from the doldrums and transform them into a title force.
Katoa produced an absolute masterclass to guide his side to a 42-22 triumph of premiership-favourites, the Melbourne Storm, and deliver consecutive wins against last year’s grand finalists in the process.
The way the level-headed No.7 engages the defensive line, straightening up his rivals and his own attack to unleash his outside men, is brave and defies his tender years.
That skill set was best on show for Ray Stone’s try to give the Dolphins a second half lead, as his halves partner Kodi Nikorima then burst through space and produced a flick pass for Stone.
Katoa was at it again six minutes later, taunting the Melbourne defence with his sleight of hand early in the set, before firing a brilliant double pump for Connelly Lemuelu to score.
Then it was a perfectly weighted bomb for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to latch onto, who found Stone to score a shock double, followed by a grubber for Nikorima to score and seal the contest.
No man has been credited for more line engagements than Katoa since the start of the 2024 campaign, while only Cronulla Sharks’ No.7 Braydon Trindall has more linebreak involvements.
“He’s a special player, I’ve said that all along. He’s an outstanding halfback, I love the way he carries himself and his maturity. We’re seeing glimpses of what he’s capable of at the moment.”
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf
Origin debuts in grave doubt
Queensland Maroons’ hopefuls Max Plath and Jack Howarth had been spoken of as potential State of Origin debutants this year, but those prospects are now in severe doubt.
Plath, who had been shifted to hooker to accommodate for the injured Jeremy Marshall-King, was taken from the field within the opening 20 minutes with a foot issue, with the Dolphins confirming he had suffered a plantar fascia issue.
The 23-year-old’s versatility – able to play lock, back row and five-eighth in addition to wearing the No.9 jumper – made him a heavy contender for a place on the Maroons’ bench, but he is now facing an extended period on the sidelines ahead of the series launch on May 28.
Howarth, meanwhile, had cemented himself in the Melbourne backline to the point he earned a fan in Maroons coach Billy Slater, having come through the Storm ranks as an edge forward before finding a home in the centres.
Slater had shown a desire to include an outside back on his bench last year, and the 22-year-old’s form and versatility had him in strong position to assume that void before sustaining a dislocated shoulder 17 minutes into Friday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium.
“He’ll be extended time, but if he has an operation he’ll be out for the season. I don’t think it was out for too long, so that’s a plus. They’re thinking just rehab it and try it again … unfortunately, it’s a bad injury for him.”
Storm coach Craig Bellamy
Felise Kaufusi was also taken from the field in the second half with a medial knee complaint, potentially opening the door for recruit Francis Molo to make his club debut in next week’s clash with the Canberra Raiders.
“He’s a tough bugger Max, so for him to come off you know he’s got an injury. I’m not quite sure about length of time. Kaufusi was a knee medial, he was relatively keen to come back on in the second half, but the doctors and physios weren’t that keen.”
Kristian Woolf
The swagger returns
After losing their opening four games, Woolf had pledged to stay the course, adamant the tide would turn if his Dolphins squad stuck to the processes they had implemented in the preseason.
All those gruelling fitness sessions and mentally exhausting sessions have clearly had an impact, missing just 22 tackles while making only five errors for the night.
Josh Kerr helped turn the tide for the Dolphins in their win against the Melbourne Storm.Credit: NRL Photos
When the Storm walked in the opening three tries through Kane Bradley, Xavier Coates and Ryan Papenhuyzen, it looked like the Redcliffe-based outfit would be blown off the park.
But the hosts refused to go away, with prop Josh Kerr’s injection proving a turning point.
The hulking forward’s offloading game orchestrated his own try, keeping the ball alive before supporting again to drag four defenders across the line with him. His form is likely to make life difficult for recruit Francis Molo to force his way into the team.
“He was really hard to handle, every carry he made he was hard to handle and got his nose through. He’s been outstanding, so it’s great for him – 100 games for him, and to play the way he did was outstanding.”
Kristian Woolf
Winger Jack Bostock then rose above the pack to latch onto a Katoa bomb, and suddenly the deficit was just four-points heading into halftime.
Even leading by 14-points with 18 minutes on the clock, and a knock on gave the Storm a chance, the Dolphins’ defence held firm, before they charged down field to put the battle beyond doubt.
Herbie Farnworth’s late try, one orchestrated by a Katoa bomb drawing an error, then completed a turnaround from a 16-2 deficit into one of the more comprehensive losses Melbourne have endured.
Major issue for Storm to address
Craig Bellamy labelled it “embarrassing”, unable to recall coaching a Storm side who led by 14-points only to concede more than 40 and be blown off the park. In fact, they had won 79 of their past 80 games leading by that margin.
But the master mentor believed it was a defeat that had been coming, given he felt his team had been relying too heavily on their attack.
Too infrequently had Melbourne needed to win on the back of their defence, with their previous defeat this year to the Dragons occurring in wet conditions in which they only gave up 14 points.
Bellamy considered the issue a “big concern”, given their attack had reaped 176 points in their four triumphs, but if they could not pinpoint the issue which was affecting them they would fail to live up to their premiership favouritism.
“We haven’t had to defend our line a whole heap, we’ve relied on our class and attack and it’s worked, and we’ve got ourselves out of trouble. A big learning for us is our defence, and I’m glad it’s happened now and not in a big game at the end of the year. It’s a good wake-up call.”
Storm star Cameron Munster
