A big performance by one of the games greats has helped lift Redcliffe to a come from behind 14-12 win over the Burleigh Bears at Pizzey Park.
Maroons legend Petero Civoniceva was tremendous for the Dolphins and led from the front with some inspiring carries, solid defence and handy offloads that sparked plenty of second phase play.
It almost seems repetitive to say that Petero was enormous, but he is every week, Dolphins coach John Dixon said.
He is a dominant force in the middle of the park with the way he takes the ball forward. Add in little things like his composure and experience; they are an enormous benefit for us.
The Dolphins trailed by eight points at halftime in a game that was ugly at times but always physically tough and entertaining for the spectators.
Redcliffe played with more structure and composure in the second half and managed to claw back the deficit.
They played more direct through the middle with the likes of Tui Samoa, Cameron Cullen and Joe Bond finding space and creating opportunities.
The highlight of the match came in the 55th minute when Cullen sliced through the Bears defence from deep inside his own half, he then gave it off to Joe Bond who raced the remaining 40 metres to score in the corner.
We were a bit more patient with the footy and didnt concede the penalties that we did in the first half, Dixon said of his sides improved second half effort.
Also our kicking game was great in the second half. We forced dropouts, built pressure and controlled field position for most of the half.
When we had that field position it gave fast men like Cameron Cullen and Joe Bond the chance to produce important tries.
Dixon also praised the work of back-rower Paul Ivan and winger Liam Georgetown for their contributions to the hard work.
For Burleigh the debut of three impressive youngsters helped ease the pain of another tight loss at home.
Brad Smith (wing), Tom Gordon (hooker) and Sam Harrold (second row) all got the call up from Colts to debut in the Intrust Super Cup and all three won the approval of coach Carl Briggs.
We had three young kids come in today and theyve added plenty to the team, Briggs said.
Ive said all along if theyre good enough theyre old enough and I will pick them.
Brad Smith got tested in the first set of six with a high ball. He took that kick spectacularly and they never kicked to him again.
Sam Harrold got involved early and did the job we needed him to do and Tommy Gordon did a great job as well. All three of them have been doing that all year with the Colts and they deserve their spots today.
Smith and Harrold both had the opportunity to start while Gordon played off the bench, but Gordon saw plenty of game time after a leg injury to halfback Jacob Grant.
Grant was assisted from the field early in the second half and played no further part in the contest.
Briggs said after the game that despite being disappointed with the final score he could not fault the effort of his players, saying a lack of finesse and finishing in certain places was the difference in the end.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 14 (Joe Bond, Jarrod Watson, Tui Samoa tries; Liam Georgetown goal) def BURLEIGH BEARS 12 (Dan Kerr, Jacob Grant tries; Dan Kerr 2 goals) at Pizzey Park.
Maroons legend Petero Civoniceva was tremendous for the Dolphins and led from the front with some inspiring carries, solid defence and handy offloads that sparked plenty of second phase play.
It almost seems repetitive to say that Petero was enormous, but he is every week, Dolphins coach John Dixon said.
He is a dominant force in the middle of the park with the way he takes the ball forward. Add in little things like his composure and experience; they are an enormous benefit for us.
The Dolphins trailed by eight points at halftime in a game that was ugly at times but always physically tough and entertaining for the spectators.
Redcliffe played with more structure and composure in the second half and managed to claw back the deficit.
They played more direct through the middle with the likes of Tui Samoa, Cameron Cullen and Joe Bond finding space and creating opportunities.
The highlight of the match came in the 55th minute when Cullen sliced through the Bears defence from deep inside his own half, he then gave it off to Joe Bond who raced the remaining 40 metres to score in the corner.
We were a bit more patient with the footy and didnt concede the penalties that we did in the first half, Dixon said of his sides improved second half effort.
Also our kicking game was great in the second half. We forced dropouts, built pressure and controlled field position for most of the half.
When we had that field position it gave fast men like Cameron Cullen and Joe Bond the chance to produce important tries.
Dixon also praised the work of back-rower Paul Ivan and winger Liam Georgetown for their contributions to the hard work.
For Burleigh the debut of three impressive youngsters helped ease the pain of another tight loss at home.
Brad Smith (wing), Tom Gordon (hooker) and Sam Harrold (second row) all got the call up from Colts to debut in the Intrust Super Cup and all three won the approval of coach Carl Briggs.
We had three young kids come in today and theyve added plenty to the team, Briggs said.
Ive said all along if theyre good enough theyre old enough and I will pick them.
Brad Smith got tested in the first set of six with a high ball. He took that kick spectacularly and they never kicked to him again.
Sam Harrold got involved early and did the job we needed him to do and Tommy Gordon did a great job as well. All three of them have been doing that all year with the Colts and they deserve their spots today.
Smith and Harrold both had the opportunity to start while Gordon played off the bench, but Gordon saw plenty of game time after a leg injury to halfback Jacob Grant.
Grant was assisted from the field early in the second half and played no further part in the contest.
Briggs said after the game that despite being disappointed with the final score he could not fault the effort of his players, saying a lack of finesse and finishing in certain places was the difference in the end.
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 14 (Joe Bond, Jarrod Watson, Tui Samoa tries; Liam Georgetown goal) def BURLEIGH BEARS 12 (Dan Kerr, Jacob Grant tries; Dan Kerr 2 goals) at Pizzey Park.
