Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has described the club's win over the Sydney Roosters in its first NRL match as "terribly significant".
The Dolphins — who went into their debut appearance as underdogs — sprung a major upset with their 28-18 victory at Lang Park in Brisbane on Sunday.
They scored five tries to three, thrilling the home crowd of more than 32,000 with their historic win as the NRL's 17th club.
Bennett said the importance of the Dolphins' triumph could not be underestimated.
"It's terribly significant," he told a post-match media conference.
"One of the most difficult things is to get that first win. It settles everything down.
"A loss here today would have put us under a hell of a lot more pressure.
"It was important and the way we played was important."
The Dolphins had targeted Bennett as their foundation NRL coach when they were given the league's 17th licence in 2021.
The seven-time premiership coach was experienced in helping to build a club from the ground up, having been the Brisbane Broncos' inaugural coach in 1988.
The Broncos won their first match 44-10 against defending premiers Manly at Lang Park in 1988 and the comparison made with the Dolphins' historic victory was not lost on Bennett.
"Of course it compares," Bennett said.
"The Broncos were game one. The Dolphins are game one. We played Manly that day and no-one gave us a chance.
"No-one gave us a chance much here today."
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made history as the Dolphins' first try scorer, while teammate Jamayne Isaako crossed for a double.
Mark Nicholls and Connelly Lemuelu also scored tries for the NRL newcomers, while Isaako kicked four conversions.
The Dolphins play Canberra in Redcliffe in round two.
ABC/AAP
