It was a case of the one that got away as Sydney Roosters centre Robert Toia showcased the talents that only injury has impeded in a 36-26 win over the Dolphins.
After back-to-back ACL ruptures, the 20-year-old former Redcliffe junior's career is starting to take off.
His two tries and a try assist, combined with tackle busts and offloads galore, were just too hot for the Dolphins to handle.
The Roosters did wonderfully well in front of 48,359 fans at Magic Round after five-eighth Sandon Smith was concussed in the seventh minute.
Half Hugo Savala was magnificent while lock Victor Radley, captain James Tedesco and hooker Connor Watson all took on playmaking roles with aplomb after Smith left the field.
The Dolphins were without injured middle forward trio Daniel Saifiti, Felise Kaufusi and Max Plath and it showed.
Starting prop Mark Nicholls made his first run of the game in the 31st minute and was replaced one minute later. It was one of the most bland and listless opening halves by a Dolphins pack.
Toia scored the opening try with a body swerve and dancing feet after a dazzling Tedesco bust. His effortless flick to put winger Mark Nawaqanitawase over for the first of his two tries was all class.
Placid Dolphins defence had no answer to a charging Radley in a try that epitomised the difference in attitude between the sides.
At halftime the Roosters had run for 976m to just 626m for the Dolphins and had dominated in every facet of play except goal kicking. Somehow they still only led 14-8.
There was nothing doing for the Dolphins until fullback Hamso Tabuai-Fidow snatched a lobbed bomb by Isaiya Katoa out of the grasp of opposite number Tedesco to score on the cusp of halftime.
Tedesco took control from a scrum play after the break for Nawaqanitawase to score his second try. Zabala set up Radley with a sublime grubber and then Watson continued the carnage for a 32-8 lead after 49 minutes
The game appeared well gone by the time Tabuai-Fidow scored his second.
Katoa put centre Herbie Farnworth in to set up a tight finish but Toia iced a great display with a giant right foot step to score his second.