The Roosters had a fast start and looked like they would do it easy when Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i went over for a nice looking try that displayed his footwork. They nearly went back-to-back straight away, only for some great defence from Herbie Farnworth to deny James Tedesco who lost the ball just before the line.
They didn't have to wait long however to score again and were in an attacking mood early, with Sam Walker putting in a kick for himself over the top of Dolphins defenders, chasing it down to score their second for a 12-0 lead with his second successful conversion.
When it seemed it would be one-way traffic, the Dolphins - who lost Kodi Nikorima and Tavita Pangai Junior before kick-off - stemmed the tide with fill-in hooker Max Plath managing to go over from dummyhalf to post his side's opening try.
But it was the Sam Walker show with his fancy feet and another kick ahead to himself that put the Roosters further in front 18-6.
The 'home' side didn't drop their heads and continued to hang in and when they got their opportunity, they pounced, with two quick-fire tries to Felise 'Phin Diesel' Kaufusi and Jamayne Isaako locking up the scores 18-18 with the winger's successful conversions.
A penalty given right in front of their goal posts with just over eight minutes left in the first half for interference in the ruck saw Walker slot another two points for a 20-18 lead.
The Dolphins however refused to be shaken off and a penalty goal from the competition's leading points-scorer Isaako had the teams leaving the field at sold-out ground locked up at 20-20 at half-time.
In the second half, the Phins got on the board first, with Jake Averillo doing the hard work before offloading inside for a trailing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow who ran the rest of the way to score. Isaako added the extras and the Dolphins were in front for the first time 26-20.
The sides were going tit-for-tat and an error in the play the ball in their own half gave the Roosters a chance to hit back and they did, with Daniel Tupou the beneficiary. Again Walker's boot proved true to kick the conversion and draw level again.
Yet another error in their own 20 with a penalty for obstruction proved costly for the Dolphins with the Roosters then going back-to-back with Sitili Tupouniua, playing out wide in the centres, going over to once again retake the lead. He was in again seven minutes later to push the advantage even further.
As was the case the whole game, the Dolphins would not go away and pushed hard until the final whistle, but the Roosters - who had to battle their own injury concerns in the match with Lindsay Collins, Nat Butcher and Dom Young ruled out - doing enough to hold them at bay.
Next week, the Dolphins host the Warriors on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium while the Roosters will have a well-timed bye.
Roosters' Defensive Concerns
Despite the win, Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted his side must arrest their ongoing defensive deficiencies after once again letting in a pile of points. Robinson acknowledged that the team's tackle was the worst it's been this year and that they can fix it in a week.
The Roosters have conceded 64 points in their last two outings alone, including last week's 34-30 win over Manly. Robinson, however, remained optimistic and praised his team's composure and execution in attack.
Sam Walker's Star Performance
Roosters halfback Sam Walker was the standout performer, showcasing his exceptional playmaking skills. Walker scored two tries from chip and chases and kicked eight goals from as many attempts for a personal haul of 24 points.
Robinson emphasized Walker's exceptional game awareness and his ability to identify weaknesses in the opposition's defensive line. He highlighted Walker's composure and clear thinking as key factors in his success.
Dolphins' Errors Cost Them
The Dolphins, despite a valiant effort, were hampered by their own errors. They lost key players on match eve, including Kodi Nikorima and Tevita Pangai Jr, and struggled to maintain their momentum throughout the game. Coach Wayne Bennett expressed his disappointment at the team's lack of execution and errors that would make an Under-10s team blush.
Despite the defeat, the Dolphins remain in eighth position on 24 points, but are ahead of Canberra and St George Illawarra only by for-and-against after a seventh loss in nine games.
Perth's Future in the NRL
The game was a huge success in Perth, with over 20,000 fans packing HBF Park. This was a positive sign for the NRL's potential expansion into the west, with talks of a Perth team entering the competition as early as 2027 or 2028. Robinson and Bennett both expressed support for the idea, with Robinson stating that Perth is ready for a team.
A Game of Two Halves
The game was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with both sides trading blows throughout the encounter. The Roosters started strong with a 12-0 lead, but the Dolphins fought back to level the score at 18-all at halftime. The second half saw the Dolphins briefly take the lead, but the Roosters were able to regain control and secure a hard-fought victory. The game was a testament to both teams' resilience, with neither willing to yield an inch.
Final Thoughts
The Roosters' win was a hard-fought one, but it came at a cost with injuries to key players. However, the team's resilience and Sam Walker's exceptional performance proved crucial in securing the victory. The Dolphins, on the other hand, will need to address their errors and improve their execution to remain in contention for a finals berth. The game was a thrilling spectacle for fans in Perth, who witnessed a high-scoring encounter that showcased the best of rugby league. The game also highlighted the growing support for the sport in Western Australia and the potential for an expansion team in the future.
