35,000 fans pack into Suncorp Stadium for Dolphins first ever NRL game against Sydney Roosters
The dolphins have arrived! NRL’s new team takes a shock victory in front of a ‘fintastic’ crowd of over 30,000 for the side’s inaugural game
- Dolphins make highly anticipated NRL debut
- Defeat the Rooster 28-18
- 32,117 fans flock to Suncorp Stadium
The Dolphins showed style in their highly anticipated NRL debut, beating the Roosters 28-18 at Suncorp Stadium – and fans turned out in droves to watch the historic occasion.
It was expected that the NRL’s newest team would take some time to find their footing at the elite level, but instead rushed past the Roosters 28-18.
Dolphins fans cheer for the first round of the NRL match between the Dolphins and Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium
The Dolphins run to a huge crowd of 32,117 at Suncorp Stadium for their first game in the NRL
35,000 fans turned out for the occasion, many wearing the club’s new jerseys and supporters fins on their heads
The official crowd for the historic match was 32,117, many wearing the new club jerseys and supporters fins on their heads.
The club, the fourth Queensland team in the league, has had 15 months to build a 30-man squad under coach Wayne Bennett.
The Dolphins made history by scoring their first try on 24 minutes through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow after conceding early on.
The Dolphins made history by scoring their first try in the 24th minute through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow after conceding an early
The Dolphins’ Mark Nicholls scores a try during the first round NRL match between the Dolphins and Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium
Nicholls made it 12-12 before halftime, sending the Suncorp crowd wild
The Roosters scored two tries in the first half with Joseph Suaalii and Drew Hutchison going over.
The Dolphins thrilled the crowd by leveling with an effort from Mark Niholls – and a great set-up from Jeremy Marshall-King.
When Connelley Lemuelu crashed through a tackle and made a try early in the second half, the Dolphins were ahead for the first time.
Two other attempts by Jamayne Isako in quick succession had the crowd in delirium and the Dolphins holding the premiership points.
Fans flocked to social media to show their enthusiasm for a second Brisbane squad.
The team will play at home again next weekend, when they face the Raiders on Saturday-evening.