Missed all the hype of the latest NRL Round and need and/or want to catch up in the quickest way possible? Well The Gurgler has you covered for the latest Dolphins game with our 2025 NRL Round 4 Match Result – Dolphins v Brisbane Broncos One Minute Match Report.
Our famous One Minute Match Reviews offer up just enough facts and figures and opinion to make it through the waiting for an Uber or Monday morning coffee catch ups, fifty cent train rides or carpools.
MATCH THOUGHTS
The Broncos earn another win in the battle of Brisbane, extending their H2H record to W4 L1, and despite the wet conditions it was a game of decent quality. And the Broncos were fully deserving of their 20-12 win, toughing it out in defence and taking advantage at the right time in attack.
It also helps to have the kicking game of Adam Reynolds and a handy half time lead that the Broncos enjoyed. Reynolds saw out the game with the professionalism you expect from him and a player of his experience.
That experience is something the Dolphins still lack in that position. One day Isaiya Katoa will be one of the great halfbacks, but currently his kicking game is one dimensional, and in general his attacking predictable. Katoa does make good inroads when he runs the ball, and that’s probably because oppositions are simply surprised he hasn’t passed or kicked. The Dolphins halves have been caned a little this season, but they drive the attack, and the attack looks disjointed and flat.
But that’s not to say there aren’t standout performances from the Dolphins backs. Herbie Farnworth was immense tonight and his centre partner Jake Averillo wasn’t far behind either in attack. Herbie though in particular was dangerous every time he got the ball, problem for the Dolphins is, there was no follow up, and Herbie ended up trying to do it all himself.
Another major issue for the Dolphins is the form of star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. He is simply not involved enough in games, and even when returning the ball looks tentative, or at minimum not the full speed of recent years at Redcliffe. He is the Dolphins number one strike option, but for some reason he doesn’t look interested. It sums up the Dolphins attack. So many tackles inside the opposition’s half but little to show for it. On current form he certainly wouldn’t replace a fullback for Origin.
It’s not as if the Dolphins are truly woeful and aren’t trying, they are. Look at the stats above, you’ll see Dolphins dominating the top results for a variety of those stats. Look at Ray Stone who tackled and tackled and tackled. And almost scored a try this week. He needs more ball though, as he is always ready to go.
The Dolphins are now 0-4 for Season 2025, but play the Gold Coast next, which is a side that they have had success against previously but lost the last game v Titans in 2015. After that it gets ugly – Penrith (H), Melbourne (H), Canberra (A) and Roosters (A).
They could well be 0-8 or worse the way this season is working out.
2025 NRL Round 4 Match Result Stat – Dolphins v Broncos
Courtesy of nrl.com
BEST OF STATS
Dolphins have lost seven of their last eight Friday games. Worse still, they have now lost all five home games on a Friday.
Dolphins have a better record as the away side at Suncorp Stadium (67%) than the home side (44%).
Broncos have won 11 straight at Suncorp Stadium on a Friday v Qld sides. Overall it is W29 L5 since 1998 at Suncorp on a Friday v Qld sides.
It’s only the third time since 2023 that Jake Averillo has run for 200 metres or more. Not a bad effort in the wet, although nearly half came from on run.
