Dolphins Face Tough Road Ahead After Disappointing Loss
Dolphins co-captain Tom Gilbert has issued a strong warning to the team, emphasizing the need for accountability and a change in attitude following a heavy 52-18 defeat against Manly at their home ground in Redcliffe. The loss was a stark reminder of the challenges the team faces as they look to improve their performance and secure a place in the finals.
The Dolphins are set to have a bye in the next round before facing a challenging schedule that includes matches against competition leaders Penrith in Darwin, the Warriors in Wellington, and Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium. This upcoming stretch will be crucial for the team as they attempt to turn their season around.
Thursday night’s game marked the third time in four meetings that Manly had managed to score over 50 points against the Dolphins. The result was a significant blow to the team’s morale, especially given the high expectations set during the pre-season. Players had spoken about addressing defensive issues that have hindered their progress in their first three seasons, but the problems have only worsened. In five games this season, the Dolphins have conceded 142 points, averaging 28.4 per match—far above their season average of 24.8 in 2025.
Coach Kristian Woolf acknowledged the need for improvement but clarified that changes may not necessarily involve personnel. “We have to improve what we are doing,” he said when asked if it meant changing the team’s composition.
Poor Performance Highlights Key Issues
The Dolphins’ performance on Thursday night was far from satisfactory. Their completion rate against Manly was a dismal 64%, with 37 tackles missed, 14 errors made, and a penalty deficit of 9-3. The forwards, including Morgan Knowles, Thomas Flegler, and Connelly Lemuelu, were all reported for their actions, with Knowles even receiving a sin-binning.
Woolf was questioned about whether the team had a discipline problem, to which he responded, “From tonight’s performance there is. We have to be more disciplined in how we want to play that is for sure.”
The game took place at the club’s spiritual home in Redcliffe, where the crowd was both parochial and sold-out. The disappointment was palpable, with Gilbert expressing his frustration. “It is disappointing, more so because it was a big occasion for us,” he said. “We prepared really well and wanted to come here and do a good job for our fans and our people. We walk off the field and we were only in it for the first 10 minutes. We buckled under pressure.”
Gilbert emphasized the need for a reset, urging everyone to buy into the team’s goals. “Moving forward you have got to stick together and you have got to have accountability as an individual and a group to come back stronger,” he said. “This can define us in a really good way, in terms of not letting it happen again. There are lessons but you have to question our attitudes and the way we performed. You have to draw a line in the sand. We can’t let that happen again.”
Injuries Add to Challenges
The Dolphins will have to navigate the next few weeks without key players Jeremy Marshall-King and Daniel Saifiti, both of whom are sidelined due to injuries. Marshall-King, who suffered a knee injury, is expected to return in about nine weeks, while Saifiti, who has a shoulder injury, is making slower progress.
“Marshall-King is a couple of weeks away, probably round nine or something along those lines,” Woolf said. “Saifiti is probably further away. It is slow progress that one.”
With these challenges ahead, the Dolphins must find a way to regroup, address their issues, and show resilience in the face of adversity. The road to recovery will not be easy, but with the right mindset and adjustments, the team has the potential to bounce back and make a strong impact in the remaining games of the season.
