Five and a Kick: Pressure on Walters as Phins rout Broncos, Dragons' hopes ruined after Eels upset, Warriors beat Sharks (2024)

The Dolphins triumphed in the Battle of Brisbane for the first time, embarrassing Brisbane 40-6 at Suncorp Stadium to solidify their finals chances after Parramatta blew the race for eighth open with a bizarre 44-40 boilover against the Dragons.

Later on, New Zealand defeated Cronulla 30-28 as Shaun Johnson set up Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s dramatic last-minute try in his final NRL appearance.

Here’s how another busy Saturday in the NRL unfolded.

1. Pressure mounts on Walters with Broncos on brink

Kevin Walters’ job could be under threat with Brisbane’s season on life support after the derby defeat to the Dolphins.

Walters’ declaration that his side would play finals in 2024 is now unlikely to come true after Brisbane fell to their local rivals for the first time on Saturday night. Despite the more encouraging recent form to keep their season alive with two straight wins, the Broncos came out flat and things never really improved, managing only a simple try to Patrick Carrigan from point-blank range with their season on the line.

“There’s pressure every week at the Broncos, and that’s what players have got to understand,” Walters said.

“It’s just not part of who we are as a club or as a team. The longer the game went, the worse we got, the confidence left. Trying to push passes, look for the miracle… that’s what I can see.”

Heavy losses like tonight’s, as well as the one inflicted by Canterbury at Suncorp and the defeat to Gold Coast capped off by petulant infighting tell the tale of the Broncos’ campaign, a huge regression from last season’s run to the Grand Final which they never should have lost.

With two years left on his contract, Walters will be hoping for a significant return to form in 2025 or Brisbane powerbrokers could be looking to end the deal early.

2. Dolphins in box seat for eighth after Battle of Brisbane victory

The Dolphins’ chances of a finals finish in their second season have firmed considerably after a dominant victory over the Broncos in the Battle of Brisbane. A sold-out Suncorp Stadium was the scene as Wayne Bennett’s side put on an attacking clinic, running in four first-half tries despite losing Felise Kaufusi to the sin-bin after 17 minutes.

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In truth, the contest was over at half-time but when Herbie Farnworth crossed for a four-pointer early in the second half to very little resistance to extend the Dolphins’ lead to 24 points the result was in zero doubt and Farnworth added another as the Broncos were blown away.

Bennett shuffled his deck, moving Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to the centres and it worked as the Maroons flyer was heavily involved, scoring two tries and setting up another while holding his own defending in the line.

3. Eels hold on after wild finish as spoon-bowl looms

The diehard Parramatta fans who made the trek to CommBank Stadium were rewarded with a rare glimpse of joy in a 2024 campaign to forget as the Eels demolished St George Illawarra in the Sydney sunshine. Error after error from their opponents gave Trent Barrett’s men more than enough opportunities to score as the result looked assured shortly after half-time – by then Parramatta had scored seven tries to one as the Dragons imploded.

In the end it was just a four-point victory as the Eels almost managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, conceding five times in the final ten minutes.

Facing criticism across rugby league media this week, Clint Gutherson showed he is still a handy attacker as the Eels skipper crossed either side of half-time for a double and five-eighth Dylan Brown was in fine touch, scoring a try and setting up three more with veteran Mika Sivo adding a hat-trick.

Barrett always had his work cut out for him after taking over following Brad Arthur’s sacking and by all accounts is well-liked within the dressing room but was never likely to be the long-term option for head coach. The former NSW representative faces one final task: avoiding the wooden spoon in a loser takes all clash with Wests Tigers next week.

4. Warriors end season to forget in style as curtain falls on SJ’s career

New Zealand ended their season with a dramatic last-gasp victory over Cronulla in star No.7 Sean Johnson’s final career match. After an insipid first-half display, the Warriors rallied in the second stanza with the scriptwriters giving Johnson the match-winning assist.

Despite the positive finish to the season, the Warriors will finish in the bottom quarter of the table, easily missing the finals, let alone the top four. Andrew Webster will have a big job on his hands to turn the club around in 2025.

After 14 years, 32 appearances for New Zealand and over 250 NRL games, Johnson’s career has come to an end. He finishes his career without having tasted premiership glory but led the Warriors to the 2011 Grand Final, where they were defeated by Manly.

“(To) play 14 seasons in the toughest competition in the world is something I’m proud about,” Johnson told Fox League.

“To the fans who have supported me along the way, I can’t thank you guys enough. I’ve said it plenty of times already – you guys have given me a platform to play, inspire and be a role model. That’s something I’ll never take for granted.”

A talented playmaker and one of the best Kiwis to grace the NRL, Johnson also represented the Sharks, making PointsBet Stadium a fitting venue for his final game if it could not be at Mount Smart Stadium.

5. Sharks let top-two chance slip after last-minute defeat

With all of the media’s attention on premiership favourites Melbourne, Penrith and the Roosters, Cronulla have been steadily going about their business, putting together a consistent if unspectacular campaign. The clash with New Zealand was a chance to put pressure on the Roosters for a top-two finish but the late magic from Johnson will likely mean the Sharks play away from home in week 1 of the finals.

In complete control of the contest in the second half, Cronulla conceded a flurry of late tries and saw Kayal Iro sent to the sin-bin. When Samuel Stonestreet scored his second try of the night and Braydon Trindall converted from the sideline it looked like Craig Fitzgibbon’s men would sneak home, but Johnson had other ideas.

The Kick: Finals slip away from ‘disgraceful’ Dragons

It has all gone wrong in the last two weeks for St George Illawarra. After establishing themselves in the bottom part of the top eight with a finish in the playoff spots looking likely, Shane Flanagan’s side are now in danger of missing the finals for the sixth consecutive season following a poor defeat to Parramatta at CommBank Stadium.

A mistake in their first set of the afternoon set the tone for a dreadful first-half showing as the Eels ran in five tries with the visitors only managing one through Connor Muhleisen – and despite copping a passionate verbal barrage from Flanagan in the sheds at half-time the score had blown out to 36-6 just minutes into the second stanza, Parramatta scoring twice from their first two sets.

Ultimately it was an admirable comeback but just too little, too late as the Dragons passed up a golden opportunity to keep their destiny in their own hands.

“We can’t get confused with only getting beat by four points – it was a disgraceful first half,” Flanagan said post-game.

“I apologise to the Dragons fans, sponsors, everyone – it was just not good enough. I know I’ve got to take ownership for that… just not good enough for the Red V jersey. That first 40 minutes was unacceptable. We were terrible, absolutely terrible. It looked like our first day together.”

Flanagan took only a couple more questions before making an abrupt exit from the press conference.

“I don’t want to be rude, but I’ve had enough,” he said.

Progress has been made at the club and the shrewd recruitment of Valentine Holmes will have supporters hopeful for more in 2025 but missing the finals from this position would be disappointing. St George Illawarra will need to defeat Canberra and hope other results go their way to sneak back into eighth.