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The Dolphins broke open a tight contest in the final quarter to defeat the Wests Tigers 36-22 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday, June 20, scoring three late tries to turn what had been a tense battle into a comfortable victory.
For much of the evening there was little separating the two sides. The Tigers led early, trailed by just two points with 25 minutes remaining and were still within striking distance entering the final stages before the Dolphins’ attack clicked into gear.
Trai Fuller and Kodi Nikorima both crossed during a decisive second-half surge before Jamayne Isaako added the final try and maintained his perfect night from the kicking tee, finishing with six goals from six attempts.
The result capped another encouraging away performance for Kristian Woolf’s side, which showed patience throughout a contest that never allowed them to settle for long.
Tigers Make The Early Running
The home side started brightly and opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Sione Fainu crossed for the first try of the match. Jock Madden added the extras to give the Tigers a 6-0 lead.
The Dolphins had their chances in the opening exchanges but were guilty of a few early errors, allowing the Tigers to enjoy the better field position.
Their response came through Herbie Farnworth.
The England international produced one of the game’s best moments when he broke through the defensive line and raced away to score in the 18th minute. Isaako converted to level the scores at 6-6.
The Tigers regained the advantage shortly after the half-hour mark when Starford To’a finished a slick attacking movement, but the Dolphins again found an answer before halftime.
Connelly Lemuelu sliced through on the right edge in the 36th minute and Isaako’s conversion handed the visitors a narrow 12-10 lead heading into the break.
It was a fair reflection of a first half that swung back and forth without either side managing to establish control.
Naufahu Extends The Advantage
The Dolphins struck first after the restart when Tevita Naufahu finished a well-worked attacking play in the 43rd minute.
Isaako converted to push the lead to 18-10 and briefly give the visitors some breathing room.
The Tigers refused to let the game slip away.
Fainu continued his strong night by crossing for his second try in the 54th minute and Heath Mason’s conversion reduced the margin to just two points.
At 18-16, the match remained evenly balanced.
The Tigers were generating pressure through the middle of the field and asking questions of the Dolphins’ defence, while the visitors were being forced to work hard for every opportunity.
Dolphins Take Control
The match remained finely balanced until the final quarter.
Fuller provided the breakthrough the Dolphins needed when he burst through to score in the 68th minute, restoring an eight-point advantage and shifting momentum back towards the visitors.
The Tigers were still within reach, but the Dolphins followed with another blow when Kodi Nikorima crossed in the 73rd minute, extending the lead to 30-16 and placing the visitors firmly in control.
The home side managed one final response through Alex Seyfarth with less than four minutes remaining, but any hope of a late comeback was short-lived.
Isaako crossed in the final minutes to seal the result before converting his own try to complete a flawless night with the boot.
Clinical Finish Rewards Dolphins
The final score perhaps made the contest appear more one-sided than it was.
For long periods the Tigers stayed in the contest and repeatedly found answers whenever the Dolphins threatened to break away, but the visitors were more effective when the key opportunities arrived in the second half.
Farnworth produced one of the game’s standout moments with his first-half try and was a constant threat whenever space opened up, while Fuller provided the spark that helped break the contest open late.
Woolf will be particularly pleased with the way his side handled the key moments.
With the game still in the balance entering the final quarter, the Dolphins stayed patient, backed their structures and finished strongly to leave Sydney with two valuable competition points.
Match Summary
Wests Tigers 22
Tries: Sione Fainu (2), Starford To’a, Alex Seyfarth
Goals: Jock Madden 1/1, Heath Mason 2/3
Dolphins 36
Tries: Herbie Farnworth, Connelly Lemuelu, Tevita Naufahu, Trai Fuller, Kodi Nikorima, Jamayne Isaako
Goals: Jamayne Isaako 6/6
Half-time: Dolphins 12-10
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Round: 16, NRL Telstra Premiership 2026
Published 20-June-2026
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