Bennett: ‘That’s a choice they’ve got to make’
The Dolphins remain in eighth spot on the ladder, despite their 21-14 loss to the Titans at Suncorp Stadium this afternoon, but Head Coach Wayne says the team has a decision to make.
“We either keep putting the effort in and improve the execution or we forget the effort and the execution, and finish with a pretty miserable end of the season. That’s a choice they’ve got to make,” he said at the post-game press conference.
The Dolphins were in control for most of the first half until Josh Kerr was sent to the sin bin in the 46th minute. They were also on the wrong side of a couple of contentious referee decisions, but never looked in the hunt in the second half allowing the Titans to make a spirited comeback.
“I’m disappointed for them and I’m disappointed with the fact that we’re not executing. It’s killing us. Effort’s outstanding. I can’t fault their effort, their execution is killing us,” Bennett said.
It was another second-half fade-out for the Dolphins, who have made a habit of racing out of the blocks and leading at half-time before letting their opponents back in the contest.
“We get it right in the first half, most games I think ... there’s not many games we haven’t led at half time. We find a way in the second half to let it all fall apart,” Bennett explained.
Jack Bostock had two tries disallowed, one due to what the referee deemed to be an obstruction by Herbie Farnworth, the other to a contentious fumble of the ball.
The obstruction ruling mystified Bennett.
“I’ll be interested to see how they justify it on Monday, but they will, so we’ve got to live with it and move on,” he said.
“I don’t know what Herbie was supposed to do with himself ... he passed the ball, he was supporting the player with the ball ... we hadn't scored the try. Has he got to make sure he runs out into a position where no one else can run into him? I don’t understand it. I need to hear what they explain.”
Brighter moments included the first try for 2024 to Captain Jesse Bromwich and a try to Tevita Pangai Junior.
The Dolphins face a tough run in the weeks ahead and will need to show more grit if they are to remain in finals’ contention.
“We have a goal in mind, we’ve got to win games. We’re in a bit of a gridlock running into the eight, we got to win games,” Bromwich said.
See photos from the game
By Dominika Lis