The 11 minutes that will raise the Dolphins’ alarm bells
Everything seemed to be going according to the script early on for the Dolphins, but an 11-minute lapse raised alarm bells.
Within the opening 12 minutes, the Dolphins were humming, however after leading 18-0, they quickly faded.
The Titans’ Kieran Foran levelled the scores just on half-time.Credit: Getty Images
A lack of line-speed in defence opened the door for the Gold Coast, who scored through Brian Kelly and Jaylan De Groot.
Both of those tries came on the back of Dolphins errors, and it was the same case on the stroke of half-time – Klese Haas firing a miracle around the back offload for Kieran Foran to level the scores.
Even after the Dolphins struck through Katoa, Naufahu and Kodi Nikorima, the Titans would not budge – AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell keeping them within six points.
It leaves Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf with some serious concerns to address to keep his side motivated for one final tilt at the finals.
Molo the man to make history
The Dolphins’ forward pack has been under the hammer all year, having lost first-choice starters Daniel Saifiti, Thomas Flegler, Tom Gilbert and Max Plath for the season.
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki was also missing with an ankle issue, and the remaining engine room appeared to be running out of steam after three-straight defeats before Sunday’s win.
It makes Francis Molo arguably the most important man to their cause.
Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamelaui helped trigger their comeback.Credit: Getty Images
The former Queensland Maroon has grown with each outing, finishing with 127 running metres from 12 carries to go with 27 tackles.
His leg speed and powerful drive got the Dolphins on the front foot early, but he was not supported well enough by his teammates up front.
In contrast, Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamelaui (149 metres), Moeaki Fotuaika (116 metres) and Beau Fermor (127 metres) began to win the territory battle to trigger their comeback.
While the Raiders are likely to rest a host of their stars at Kayo Stadium next week after sealing the minor premiership, the Dolphins will need Molo to continue setting the tone if they are to have any chance of playing sudden death football.
Time for Titans to look ahead
A bottom-place finish beckons for the Titans, and the final round of the campaign may be the time for them to blood some new talent and look towards the future.
While a win next week and a Newcastle loss would help coach Des Hasler avoid the wooden spoon in his final year on the Glitter Strip, the men named on his extended bench this weekend could yet be given a taste of the NRL.
Cooper Bai, the son of Melbourne Storm great Marcus Bai, is still just 18 but has dominated his opening stint in the Queensland Cup, scoring five tries in six games, while averaging 154 running metres per outing.
Former Wallabies five-eighth Carter Gordon, meanwhile, looms as a future contender to replace the retiring Foran, and has played centre in his brief rugby league career.
The wooden spoon looms for Titans coach Des Hasler.Credit: Getty Images
While Hasler will not be at the helm next year, the Gold Coast must start planning ahead.
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