In a stunning turn of events, the Dolphins have emerged victorious against the Melbourne Storm, securing a 42-22 win at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, April 18, 2025. This match marked a significant milestone for the Dolphins, as it was their first-ever victory over the Storm, a feat made even more special by Josh Kerr celebrating his 100th NRL game.
The Dolphins, who had started the season with four consecutive losses, have now strung together three wins in a row, including back-to-back triumphs over last year's grand finalists, the Penrith Panthers and the Storm. Coach Kristian Woolf emphasized the importance of maintaining composure throughout the match, especially after trailing early on.
Melbourne's night took a turn for the worse as key players fell to injury. Jack Howarth dislocated his shoulder in the 17th minute and may require surgery, while captain Harry Grant is set to miss four to six weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained just a day before the match. The Storm's already thin outside backs were further depleted, with Dean Ieremia out until late June due to an Achilles injury, and Will Warbrick's fitness for the next match against South Sydney still uncertain due to a concussion.
Despite leading 16-2 early in the game, the Storm faltered, allowing the Dolphins to mount an impressive comeback. Kerr, who previously played in the Storm's under-20 squad, expressed his delight at achieving this milestone against his former club. "It’s crazy. My family and I were just talking about it. What a coincidence, they were the first club that gave me a chance and now for me to play 100 games against them for Dolphins, do you know what I mean?" Kerr said. "I love this, this is honestly insane to me. I got to play my 100th game at Suncorp Stadium – the bees knees of stadiums by the way – somewhere I always grew up watching Queensland play and then against Melbourne Storm, the team that gave me my first opportunity, so it was like what are the chances of that happening?"
Ray Stone also made headlines, scoring two tries in the match and earning praise from both Kerr and Coach Woolf. Woolf noted, "He [Josh Kerr] was really hard to handle. Every carry he had he was hard to handle. He sort of got his nose through and he has been able to do that for us the last couple of weeks. He has been outstanding." Stone's performance was integral to the Dolphins' success, as he contributed significantly both offensively and defensively.
The Dolphins showcased their resilience, overcoming a significant early deficit to score 40 unanswered points against the Storm. This dramatic turnaround highlighted the team's potential and ability to capitalize on their opponents' mistakes. Kerr remarked on the team's unity and determination, saying, "The boys set a great platform at the start … so I just have to come on and bring energy and be myself and I feel like I don’t have to be anyone else, I just have to do my job and I felt like I did a pretty good job tonight."
As the Dolphins look ahead, they face a challenging match against the Canberra Raiders next week, with their depth being tested further by injuries to Max Plath and Felise Kaufusi. Kerr acknowledged the challenge but remained optimistic, stating, "I think our depth is going to be tested, but I think we're all doing a great job. However, Canberra are red hot at the moment, aren’t they? So we've got a big job to go down there in their home territory."
On the other hand, the Storm's coach Craig Bellamy expressed his frustration after the loss, admitting that the team's reliance on attack was concerning. "It seems to be a bit like that. It is a big concern to just rely on your attack. We have been aware that our defence hasn’t been as good as we’d like it to be," he said. Bellamy also pointed out that complacency may have played a role in the team's collapse after their early lead.
This match not only marked a turning point for the Dolphins but also raised questions about the Storm's defensive strategies moving forward. With key players sidelined and others struggling, Melbourne will need to regroup quickly if they hope to turn their season around.
As the NRL season progresses, the Dolphins are building momentum and confidence, showing that they can compete with the best in the league. The excitement surrounding their recent performances suggests that the Kristian Woolf era could indeed be the beginning of something special in Redcliffe.
With the Dolphins now sitting with a 3-4 record, the future looks promising as they aim for their first finals appearance since joining the NRL in 2023. The foundation is being laid for a competitive squad, and with players like Kerr and Stone leading the charge, fans have every reason to believe that the Dolphins are on the rise.
As for the Storm, they will need to address their defensive issues and find a way to rally their squad amidst the growing injury list. The upcoming matches will be crucial for both teams as they navigate the challenges of the 2025 season.
