A fruitless chase has ultimately cost the Dolphins their most electric talent, surrounding their Battle of Brisbane defeat with a dour cloud that could have huge ramifications for their season.
It resulted in Anthony Milford earning his first NRL minutes of the season, who was placed on report for a hit on Broncos star Reece Walsh off the ball and finished with three errors and just 36 metres for the match.Kodi Nikorima was shifted to fullback, and he was caught wanting under the high ball as Brisbane piled on the pain in the second half, while the Dolphins were forced to reel from yet another injury setback that has decimated their ranks.
He was only brought into the side in the absence of rookie speedster Deine Mariner, who suffered a fracture in his back against the Melbourne Storm and is expected to remain out for at least a month. But his ability to keep this Brisbane side together without their biggest stars – especially given they only gained back marquee fullback Reece Walsh on Friday – has been monumental.