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The Dolphins looked shaky early at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night. By full-time, they were running downhill and putting on a show.
Jamayne Isaako bagged a hat-trick, Kodi Nikorima returned with spark, and Jeremy Marshall-King marked his comeback with a try as the Dolphins stormed past the Bulldogs 44-12 in Round 10 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership.
For a side that entered the clash riding momentum from last week’s win over Melbourne, this felt like another important step forward. Kristian Woolf’s men were clunky for stretches, but once their spine clicked into rhythm, Canterbury simply could not contain them.
The Bulldogs arrived desperate to steady their own season and briefly looked the sharper side. They controlled territory early, won the ruck battle and jumped to an 8-0 lead through Jaeman Salmon and a Stephen Crichton penalty goal.
At that point, the Dolphins were inviting pressure.
Thomas Flegler gave away penalties, handling errors hurt field position, and Canterbury repeatedly marched into attacking territory. But the Bulldogs failed to fully cash in, and the Dolphins only needed one clean strike to drag themselves back into the contest.
That moment came through Isaako.
The winger exploded down the sideline in the 21st minute after one of the Dolphins’ rare entries into Bulldogs territory. It was a reminder of the finishing power the Dolphins still possess when their backline gets quick ball.
Even after Stephen Crichton restored Canterbury’s buffer with a try midway through the half, the game was beginning to tilt.
The Middle Finally Started Winning
The Dolphins’ pack slowly ground its way back into the contest through the final 15 minutes of the first half.
Kodi Nikorima’s return after suspension immediately gave the attack more shape and tempo around the ruck, while Isaiya Katoa’s kicking game started pinning Canterbury in awkward spots.
Then Jacob Preston handed the Dolphins the opening they needed.
The Bulldogs forward was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle on Katoa in the 37th minute, and the Dolphins pounced almost immediately.
Selwyn Cobbo crossed first after Isaako turned a Bulldogs mistake into points, before Isaako grabbed his second try on the stroke of halftime after a slick cut-out ball from Nikorima.
Suddenly, despite being second-best for long stretches, the Dolphins headed into the sheds leading 14-12.
Katoa and Nikorima Took Control
The second half was played almost entirely on the Dolphins’ terms.
Katoa looked increasingly comfortable steering the side around the park, while Nikorima’s running game kept exposing tired Bulldogs defenders through the middle third.
Isaako completed his hat-trick five minutes after the restart, brushing through scrambling defenders after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow helped create the overlap.
Then came another important moment for the Dolphins season.
Jeremy Marshall-King, making his first appearance of 2026 after recovering from the knee injury he suffered during pre-season, darted over from dummy-half after sustained pressure on the Bulldogs line.
His return noticeably sharpened the Dolphins around the ruck. The service was quicker, the middle attack tightened up, and suddenly the side looked far more balanced.
The Bulldogs could not slow it down.
Isaako soon turned provider, throwing a brilliant pass inside for Jack Bostock after threatening to score himself near the corner.
Moments later, Katoa produced one of the plays of the night. The young half froze defenders with a double-pump pass before sending Nikorima straight through untouched.
For Dolphins supporters, it was the clearest glimpse yet this season of how dangerous the side can look with its preferred spine finally back together.
Cobbo Finished It Off in Style
Cobbo’s second try late in the game summed up the Dolphins’ night after halftime.
The Bulldogs were tiring, the Dolphins were full of confidence, and Cobbo simply powered through Connor Tracey before sprinting away down the touchline.
By full-time, the Dolphins had piled on 30 unanswered second-half points while completely shutting Canterbury out after the break.
The final scoreline looked emphatic because it was.
After an error-riddled opening quarter, the Dolphins eventually played with speed, patience and control. The return of Marshall-King and Nikorima clearly lifted the side, while Isaako delivered one of his sharpest performances of the year.
And at Suncorp Stadium, in front of a crowd that sensed the momentum swing before the scoreboard fully reflected it, the Dolphins finally looked like a side beginning to find its attacking identity again.
Published 7-May-2026
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