Red-hot and ruthless. The Dolphins delivered one of their most clinical performances of the season on Thursday night, blowing the Cowboys away 43–24 in front of a vocal Suncorp Stadium crowd. With their top-eight hopes on the line, Redcliffe’s NRL side turned up the heat and never let up—running in seven tries in a dominant Queensland derby.
Lightning Start and Statement Finish
Oryn Keeley opened the scoring just three minutes into the contest, giving the Dolphins early momentum. The Cowboys responded with a try to Murray Taulagi, but a sensational 95-metre intercept from Jake Averillo put the Phins back in front.
From there, the Dolphins took control. Returning after a post-Origin rest, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow looked fresh and dangerous—scoring twice before halftime as he tormented his former club’s right edge. By the break, the Dolphins were cruising with a 24–6 lead.
Backline Brilliance
Averillo backed up his first-half try with a second later in the game, while Harrison Graham added his name to the scoreboard to keep the pressure on North Queensland. Jamayne Isaako was sharp with the boot, slotting three conversions and a penalty goal, and Isaiya Katoa iced the game with a late field goal.
The Cowboys staged a mini-revival in the second half through tries to Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden, but they were chasing shadows for most of the night. The Dolphins’ forward rotation rolled through the middle, and their backs found metres and points out wide.
Woolf’s Men Hit Their Stride
Coach Kristian Woolf praised his side’s composure and intensity, particularly the way the forwards laid the foundation for their strike players. The team played with a balance of structure and freedom that allowed Tabuai-Fidow, Averillo and Isaako to do damage out wide.
Analysts also highlighted how the Dolphins exposed the Cowboys’ defensive right edge, with line breaks and support play repeatedly punching holes in their structure.
Redcliffe Spirit on Display
For Dolphins fans across Redcliffe and Moreton Bay, this win was personal. The local side’s dominance under the bright lights of Suncorp reinforced their credentials as genuine finals contenders. The energy, precision and flair on display was exactly what suburban supporters had been waiting for—and it came at just the right time in the season.
Finals Push Heats Up
The win pushes the Dolphins back into the top eight with six rounds to play. If they can maintain the attacking polish and defensive discipline shown in this game, the Redcliffe-based squad will be right in the thick of the finals race—and no team will want to face them.
Match Summary
- Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Date: Thursday, 17 July 2025
- Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST
- Final Score: Dolphins 43 def Cowboys 24
- Dolphins Tries: Oryn Keeley, Jake Averillo (2), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (2), Harrison Graham
- Goals: Jamayne Isaako (3 conversions, 1 penalty), Isaiya Katoa (1 field goal)
- Half-time: Dolphins 24–6 Cowboys
- Head Coaches: Kristian Woolf (Dolphins), Todd Payten (Cowboys)
Published 17-July-2025