Redcliffe Dolphins have overturned an eight-point halftime deficit to claim the Hostplus Cup premiership, overwhelming minor premiers Sunshine Coast after the break in a 28–18 Grand Final victory at Kayo Stadium.
Sunshine Coast had Redcliffe in trouble early, racing to 12–0 and taking an 18–10 lead into halftime. But the Grand Final changed dramatically after the restart as the Dolphins began finding space through the Falcons’ defence and, just as importantly, stopped giving them anything at the other end.
Sam Elliott’s try dragged Redcliffe within two before a tense stretch in which both teams had potential tries ruled out. Then came the break: Tevita Naufahu tore through the line, Jude Saldanha crossed to put Redcliffe ahead and Brian Pouniu completed his double barely three minutes later.
From 18–16 down, the Dolphins had surged to 28–18. Sunshine Coast had no answer.
Falcons Punish Redcliffe Early
The minor premiers took control through Zion Johnson in the ninth minute and Flynn Camilleri in the 16th, with Josh Lynn converting both for a 12–0 lead.
Redcliffe were making enough mistakes to keep themselves under pressure, but Jake Averillo’s 26th-minute try changed the feel of the contest. Pouniu followed five minutes later and Joshua James converted, pulling the Dolphins within two.
Sunshine Coast’s response was important. After forcing a dropout and earning another set through a ruck infringement, Taine Couper crossed in the 36th minute. Lynn remained perfect from the tee and the Falcons reached halftime ahead 18–10.
They had punished Redcliffe’s errors and regained control after the Dolphins’ first comeback. What they could not do was carry that control into the second half.
Elliott Ignites The Comeback
Redcliffe emerged with far greater penetration and were rewarded almost immediately.
After Sunshine Coast coughed up possession, Elliott broke through and scored in the 44th minute. James converted and suddenly it was 18–16.
The next 20 minutes were arguably the most important of the Grand Final. Sunshine Coast threatened through a Thallon Peters line break, only for the video referee to rule no try. Redcliffe then began punching holes through the Falcons themselves, with Naufahu breaking the line in the 52nd minute as James continued testing the defence with his kicking game.
The Dolphins also went upstairs shortly after the hour and were denied.
Instead of losing momentum, they came again.
Three Minutes Break The Falcons
A Zion Johnson error in the 65th minute gave Redcliffe another opening and Naufahu attacked it immediately, breaking through the line before Saldanha crossed seconds later.
James converted and Redcliffe led for the first time, 22–18.
There was no attempt to simply defend the advantage. James went back to the air, the Dolphins maintained the pressure and Pouniu crossed in the 69th minute for his second try.
Another James conversion made it 28–18 and left Sunshine Coast needing two scores against a defence they had been unable to breach since the 36th minute.
They never found them.
Redcliffe Do More With Less
Sunshine Coast actually finished with slightly more possession, 51 per cent to 49, and a marginally better completion rate. Redcliffe nevertheless produced 1,638 run metres to 1,277 and four line breaks to two, while averaging 40.96 metres per set compared with 29.7.
That attacking difference became increasingly pronounced after halftime. Naufahu’s carries caused particular damage, while Elliott’s break produced Redcliffe’s first second-half try and Saldanha’s came immediately after another breach through the Falcons’ line.
Sunshine Coast tried to control territory through the boot, kicking 21 times for 547 metres compared with Redcliffe’s 15 kicks for 374. The Falcons also forced three dropouts, but none of that pressure produced a second-half point.
For Redcliffe, that was the performance within the performance.
A side that had conceded three converted tries before halftime kept the competition’s minor premiers scoreless when the premiership was being decided.
Premiers On Their Home Ground
Sunshine Coast arrived at Kayo Stadium with seven consecutive victories behind them and had not lost since Redcliffe beat them there in Round 18. Their first half suggested that run might end with a premiership.
Instead, Redcliffe found another gear.
Pouniu finished with two tries, Elliott provided the immediate second-half spark and Saldanha scored the one that finally pushed the Dolphins in front. James landed four conversions, while Naufahu’s two line breaks were central to Redcliffe stretching a Falcons defence that had looked far more comfortable earlier.
There was no flawless afternoon behind the victory. Redcliffe completed at 70 per cent, made 14 errors and conceded six penalties. They simply became the stronger side as the Grand Final became harder.
By fulltime, an eight-point deficit had become a 10-point victory and a Falcons attack that scored freely early had been blanked for the entire second half.
At Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe had their premiership.
Match Details
QRL Hostplus Cup Grand Final
Redcliffe Dolphins 28 def Sunshine Coast Falcons 18
Halftime: Sunshine Coast 18–10
Saturday, 26 September 2026
Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Redcliffe tries: Brian Pouniu (2), Jake Averillo, Sam Elliott, Jude Saldanha
Goals: Joshua James 4/5
Sunshine Coast tries: Zion Johnson, Flynn Camilleri, Taine Couper
Goals: Josh Lynn 3/3
Published 26-September-2026
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