Led by NZ Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich and guided by mastercoach Wayne Bennett, the expansion Dolphins have pulled an NRL ambush, shocking perennial contenders Sydney Roosters 28-18 at Brisbane.
Featuring a smattering of Kiwis and former NZ Warriors, the competition's newest team - affiliated to the Warriors' COVID base of Redcliffe - served warning that they won't be pushovers, with a performance that adds another chapter to Bennett's legendary status in the game.
Bromwich and NZ international hooker Jeremy Marshall-King were among the stars, while former Kiwi Jamayne Isaako scored more than half his team's points, with two tries and four conversions.
"It was a really big week, a really emotional week for the club and today was a really big day," said Bromwich. "They really made that atmosphere for a big day, it was really good."
The big-budget Roosters enter every season among the premiership favourites, with 15 titles to their name - the most recent coming in 2019 - and 15 runner-up finishes in their history, but they had little answer to a second-half display boosted by support from the passionate Dolphins fanbase.
"It's a great feeling to win your first game under a new club in the NRL, and it's a special win to all the fans and all the community out in Redcliffe, and what it means to them," said Marshall-King.
"I'm just glad to get that win for them and you could hear them in the crowd - it's just great performance by everyone."
Even the usually laconic Bennett managed a wee smile afterwards. Thirty-five years ago, he was at the helm of the expansion Brisbane Broncos, when they upset Manly Sea Eagles in their inaugural game.
"There's so many winners today, but the biggest winner is the game - that's the biggest winner.
"Of course it compares [to 1988]… we played Manly that day and no-one gave us a chance, no-one gave us a chance here today. It's terribly significant."
The Dolphins face Canberra Raiders next, with a first-ever meeting against the Warriors scheduled for Mt Smart Stadium on June 3.
