Rugby League

Dolphins' relief as stars dodge bans before finals

By Jasper Bruce

Aug 30, 2026

Thomas Flegler is one of three Dolphins players who have avoided bans after the match review. -AAP Image

The Dolphins have received a triple boost ahead of their first finals campaign after Tom Flegler, Kurt Donoghoe and Morgan Knowles all dodged suspension for illegal tackles.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Knowles landed in the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle on Rob Toia during Saturday's 26-12 defeat of the Sydney Roosters, after Flegler went on report for a crusher tackle.

Important link man Donoghoe also looked a chance to receive a suspension for a high tackle on James Tedesco that went unpenalised on field.

Any of the the trio would have been rubbed out for round 27 and the first week of the finals had they received grade-two charges.

Given their judiciary records, Knowles and Flegler would also have missed a second finals game in that case.

But all three can accept fines with early guilty pleas to their grade-one offences and will be free to face Gold Coast next week.

The news is a major plus for the third-placed Dolphins as they embark on a maiden finals campaign in their fourth season in the premiership.

Returning South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell also dodged suspension for the high tackle he made on Keano Kini during his first game since May.

The morning after the Rabbitohs' 42-22 defeat of the Titans, the match review committee offered Mitchell a $1000 fine for his grade-one careless high tackle.