The Dolphins clinched a maiden finals spot as Indigenous sensations Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo fired Redcliffe to a history-making 40-32 derby defeat of the Broncos on Saturday night.
In a Battle of Brisbane thriller, it was only fitting that ‘The Hammer’ and Cobbo lit up Indigenous Round to sink the Broncos and seal the Dolphins’ inaugural playoffs berth before a heaving 50,188 at Suncorp Stadium.
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The eighth edition of the derby was a fast and ferocious, 12-try firecracker with the Dolphins’ top-four hopes teetering when an Ezra Mam-inspired Broncos charged to a stunning 24-0 lead after as many minutes.
But the Dolphins roared home, fighting back from a 30-24 half-time deficit as two-try Tabuai-Fidow (69th) and Cobbo (72nd) crossed in the late stages to bury the brave Broncos.
Redcliffe’s 13th win means will they definitely play finals football in just their fourth season in a tribute to coach Kristian Woolf, who has carved the Dolphins into a dynamic, never-say-die team.
Meanwhile, the 24-point collapse was the biggest in Brisbane’s history.
Michael Ennis blasted a controversial call not to sin-bin Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe or hand the Broncos a penalty try.
In an attempt to score, Broncos hooker Billy Walters charged at the line from the ruck but was tackled by Donoghoe – who was in an offside position.
“It’s a professional foul. It was an absolute sin-bin. The Bunker never looked at it,” Ennis said on Fox League.
“It was a penalty try, because he’s that close to the line and Donaghue probably saves it and had a bit of help there”, Dan Ginnane added.
Ironman Max Plath was heroic, but Isaiya Katoa demonstrated why he is the NRL’s next halfback kingpin, hauling the Dolphins out of the fire in a time of crisis.
With the Dolphins in disarray trailing 24-0, Katoa held his nerve and kept Redcliffe’s shape before turning the tide on the Broncos with some sublime playmaking touches.
The NSW Origin hopeful outpointed Broncos opposite Tom Duffy, who threw some poor passes, posting two line-break assists and four try assists. The cherry on top was his deft 51st-minute chip kick for Connelly Lemuelu to level scores at 30-all.
Billy Walters has a new nickname – The Difference. Now we know why.