Even though the Dolphins’ Round 16 match against the Melbourne Storm ended in a loss on Friday night, Wayne Bennett didn’t let it stop him from expressing his pride in his team.

Bennett led his team to victory this season, and the expansion team finished in the top four, exceeding pre-season expectations that were significantly lower than actual results. Bennett played his final season with the Dolphins before returning to the South Sydney Rabbitohs the following season.

Bennett said that his team didn’t know when to give up and that they would have won if the game had gone an extra five minutes. The Dolphins, who were defeated by the Storm on Friday by a mere four points and also played without winger Jack Bostock for the majority of the contest, were courageous despite their lineup changes.

One of my favorite things about hanging out with these guys is that. In his news conference following the game, Bennett stated, “They just don’t know when to give up; they don’t give up; they just stay at it.”

We simply ran out of time at the conclusion of the game; additional five minutes and we would have probably won. However, they made a really good attempt.

For the match, the Dolphins, who lack forward depth owing to injuries this season, welcomed back Jesse Bromwich and gave Tevita Pangai Junior, who retired last year, his NRL comeback and club debut. Bennett expressed his satisfaction with the returning player.

“I was rather happy with him. He was excellent, and since it was his first game, I was pleased with him,” he remarked.

Pangai Junior might be able to keep his place in the Dolphins lineup when they play the St. George Illawarra Dragons on the road the following weekend.