As it happened: Dolphins storm home; Cowboys win dogfight

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Jack's back: Jack Bostock made his NRL return from an ACL injury in triumphant fashion, scoring two late tries as the Dolphins stormed to a 28-10 win. Bostock played right centre for the first time in the NRL and was outstanding challenging for attacking kicks and also running into space.

King Katoa: Isaiya Katoa stepped up when the Dolphins needed him to steer the team to just their third win of the season so far, producing two try assists and having a hand in a third try.

Sensational Sua: The shining light for the Storm was fullback Sua Fa'alogo, who had the crowd on their feet every time he touched the ball. The Samoan excitement machine scored a brilliant length of the field try and nearly repeated the effort, only to be chased down by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

79 min: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is rewarded for a great performance with a last minute try after charging through the Storm defence on an angled run off a Katoa pass. Isaako missed the conversion. Dolphins 28 Storm 10.

75 min: Bostock has got his second try after outleaping the Storm defence for a Katoa kick. Isaako missed the conversion. Dolphins 24 Storm 10.

70 min: Isaako has extended the Dolphins lead with a penalty goal after an escort by Jack Howarth as the Storm defended a Katoa kick. Dolphins 18 Storm 10.

65 min: Jack Bostock has split the defence after a crossfield run from right centre to score on the left side of the field following a dummy half break by Max Plath on the previous tackle. Isaako converted. Dolphins 16 Storm 10.

59 min: Isaako has scored against his future club after Jack Howarth produced a try saving tackle on Finuefuiaki. Katoa shifted the ball quickly to Tabuai-Fidow who tapped the ball onto Isaako to dive over in the corner. Isaako converted his own try from the sideline. Dolphins 10 Storm 10.

57 min: Tabuai-Fidow is back on and the Dolphins have forced a goal line drop out. This is still anyone's game.

Crowd: 24070

47 min: Tabuai-Fidow has been sent to the sin bin after chasing down Fa'alogo following another long range break by the Storm excitement machine - but holding him down for too long. 

40 min: The Dolphins almost scored back to back tries before the break after Donoghoe kicked ahead and rookie Storm winger Hugo Peel managed to beat Tabuai-Fidow to knock the ball over the dead ball line.

39 min: Selwyn Cobbo has got the Dolphins on the board after quick hands created an overlap for the star winger to dive over in the corner. Isaako missed the sideline conversion. Storm 10 Dolphins 6.

Breaking: Wishart has been ruled out. Jahrome Hughes should be back next week after missing the Dolphins clash with a wrist injury.

32 min: A bruising shot by Fijian utility Kurt Donoghoe forced the ball loose from Cooper Clarke but Gilbert turned over possession with an incorrect play-the-ball.

31 min: Tongan secondrower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been denied a try after obstruction by Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert. 

27 min: Sua Fa'logo has just scored one of the best individual tries of the year after fielding a kick 15m from his own line, shifting across field before dummying past Connelly Lemuelu and sprinting away. Fellow Samoan and fullback opposite Hamiso Tabuia-Fidow came across in defence but Fa'alogo stepped inside him to score. Meaney missed the conversion. Storm 10-0

17 min: A flick pass from Jack Bostock, in his first match at centre, was unable to be taken by Isaako and has gone over the sideline.

15 min: Determined and desperate defence has kept the Dolphins out. The Storm are up for this game. 

14 min. Wishart is replaced by rookie playmaker Trent Toelau and is immediately put under pressure when he and Will Warbrick have a mix up from the kick off and allow the ball to go out, giving the Dolphins possession. 

13 min: Wishart has come from the field with an ankle injury suffered while scoring. 

12 min: Tyran Wishart has spun out of the tackle of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow near the Dolphins line to reach out and score. Nick Meaney converted. Storm 6-0.

9 min: Jamayne Isaako has been denied a try after a desperate lunge from Cameron Munster put him off balance as he set sail for the corner. In the wet conditions it was all that was needed for Isaako to step into touch.

Team news

Dolphins: Francis Molo has been elevated to the starting side 90 minutes before kick-off with Tom Gilbert sliding to the bench. Jack Bostock is set to complete his comeback from an ACL injury after making a successful return via Queensland Cup last week. Bostock was initially named in the reserves but will come into the centres in place of Trai Fuller, who goes to the bench. Kurt Donoghoe is also on track to return from a hamstring injury and is part of the six-man bench. Englishman Morgan Knowles returns from a calf injury at lock but no such luck for Jake Averillo, who succumbs to a hand injury.

Storm: A change on Thursday with Alec MacDonald ruled out with a low-grade hamstring strain and Trent Loiero coming into the side at lock. Josiah Pahulu has been added to the bench. Perth-bound playmaker Tyran Wishart steps into the No.7 jersey after Jahrome Hughes was ruled out with a concussion. Craig Bellamy has shaken up his pack, with Shawn Blore and Ativalu Lisati to start in the back row and Joe Chan and Cooper Clarke shifting to the bench. Victorian junior Hugo Peel will make his NRL debut on the wing while Trent Toelau makes his Storm debut from the bench.

Bulldogs v Cowboys at Accor Stadium

79 min: Burns has put the result beyond doubt when he dummies out of dummy half and beats Bronson Xerri and Sua to score. Clifford missed the sideline conversion. Cowboys 28 Bulldogs 12.

75 min: Former Bulldogs Reed Mahoney has given his new team victory after grubbering from dummy half into the leg of Sitili Tupouniua, regathering and passing to Clifford who just had to fall over the line. Clifford converted. Cowboys 24 Bulldogs 12.

66 min: Cowboys centre Tom Chester broke into the clear and found Drinkwater backing up in support to put the visitors ahead. Clifford converted. Cowboys 18 Bulldogs 12.

58 min: Lachlan Galvin has been denied a try after winger Jonathan Sua passed the ball into former Bulldog Braidon Burns as he was being tackled, knocking on in the process.

53 min: Josh Curran has hit back for the Bulldogs after winger Enari Tuala out jumped Zac Laybutt for a Galvin kick and the secondrower picked up the loose ball. Crichton converted. Bulldogs 12 Cowboys 12. 

50 min: The Cowboys are building pressure after the Bulldogs conceded a series of errors and penalties.

43 min: Samoa strike secondrower Jeremiah Nanai has been forced from the field with a shoulder injury just two weeks after returning from surgery for the Cowboys.

Halftime summary: The Cowboys have had just 44 per cent of possession after completing 71 per cent of their sets, committing eight errors, conceding five penalties and five repeat sets but are on track for a sixth win. The Cowboys started poorly and had to defend 36 tackles in their 20m zone but scored the last two tries to lead 12-6 at the interval. After winning their first two matches, the Bulldogs have lost five on the trot and appear to be lacking confidence in attack.  

38 min: The first half is ending like it began, with the Bulldogs camped on the Cowboys line after errors and ill discipline from Lodge and Mahoney. 

36 min: Kurt Mann's night is over after being forced from the field with a Category 1 HIA following a mistimed tackle on Matt Lodge. 

32 min: A Clifford 40/20 has put the Cowboys on the attack again.

29 min: Remarkably, the Cowboys have hit the front after Drinkwater pirouetted out of a Galvin tackle to score, following sustained pressure due to a Crichton high shot on Zac Laybutt. Clifford converted. Cowboys 12 Bulldogs 6.

20 min: Despite having only 38 per cent of possession, he Cowboys have hit back through Cotter after the Kangaroos forward won the race for a Tom Dearden grubber against Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey, Jake Clifford converted. Bulldogs 6 Cowboys 6.

15 min: Another error and another penalty from a scrum have put the Bulldogs back in attacking position. The Bulldogs opted to re-pack the scrum but the Cowboys held them out.

11 min: The Cowboys have their best attacking chance after a high tackle by Sam Hughes but fail to take advantage, despite a rampaging run by Tongan great Jason Taumalolo.

9 min: That man Galvin, the most talked about transfer of 2025, is dominating the game so far and takes it upon himself to get the Dogs on the board with a solo try after dummying and beating former Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney and secondrower Heilum Luki. Stephen Crichton converts. Bulldogs 6-0 

7 min: It's all the Bulldogs in the opening exchanges, with the Cowboys completing just one set of tackles so far and it seems only a matter of time before they will be punished.

5 min: The Bulldogs have maintained the pressure after Galvin forced a goal line drop out.

2 min: Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater dropped a Lachlan Galvin bomb and Reuben Cotter picked up the ball in an offside position. The Bulldogs opted for the tap to keep pressure on.

Team News

Bulldogs: Josh Curran will start in the backrow in place of Viliame Kikau (pectoral) after initially being named on the interchange. In a late change, Curran has swapped with Sitili Tupouniua, who moves from the starting side to to the bench. Enari Tuala's return on the wing from a hamstring injury sees Marcelo Montoya drop to the bench. The loss of Harry Hayes to suspension brings Lipoi Hopoi into the squad. Rookie Alekolasimi Jones is on the six man bench.

Cowboys: Zac Laybutt comes in on the wing for Murray Taulagi (concussion). Jeremiah Nanai is named to start with Thomas Mikaele on the bench. Robert Derby is also on the extended interchange.