A red-hot start helped the Roosters shoot out to an early lead with Joseph Sua’ali’i crossing first fresh off celebrating his 21st birthday on Thursday.

Sam Walker then produced some magic when he chipped over the top for himself to score.

The Dolphins desperately needed to score next to halt the Roosters’ momentum and they did exactly that through Max Plath, who burrowed over from dummy-half.

But their joy was short-lived with Walker producing yet another brilliant try. The star No.7 ducked and wove before putting another chip over the top to score his second of the night.

The Dolphins hit back through Felise Kaufusi, who beat Angus Crichton and then was simply too big, too strong for Luke Keary close to the line. And then backed it up with Jake Averillo’s fast hands setting up Jamayne Isaako.

A penalty goal each locked up scores at half time.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow broke the 20-all scoreline three minutes into the second half to give the Dolphins their first lead of the game. But then the Roosters ran in three tries — including a double to Sitili Tupouniua — to snatch back a 12-point lead.

The Roosters finished the game one-man down after Joseph Manu was sin-binned for a high shot. The Dolphins capitalised on the advantage a minute later as Jack Bostock crossed.

The twists and turns didn’t stop there with Jamayne Isaako being forced off in the final six minutes with an ankle concern. He initially got it strapped up and intended on playing through it but the orders from referee Gerard Sutton were that because play was stopped he had to leave the field.

An off-side penalty allowed the Dolphins to slot a penalty goal to take the scoreline to 40-34 and set up a thrilling finish. But the Roosters hang on.

WALKER MASTERCLASS

Sam Walker has at his devastating his best against the Dolphins with his instinctive style of play setting himself up for a first-half double.

Walker noticed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was up in the defensive line so chipped over the top for himself to score the Roosters’ second try of the night.

He backed it up seven minutes later with — can you believe it – another chip and chase. Walker escaped the grasp of Felise Kaufusi, span around and put the ball up for him to secure his second career double.

Fox League expert and four-time premiership-winner Cooper Cronk declared Walker was “the reason they won that (game)” and was in awe of his big plays.

“This is tremendous,” he said as he watched a replay of the tries.

“We spoke about his instinct and his reaction to play before the game and that is top shelf from one of the rising stars in our competition. There’s not many other players that can do what Sam Walker’s done in the first half.”

Michael Ennis was equally impressed.

“Gee I love watching this boy play… What a season he is having,” he said.

“The fans here in Perth are being given a treat, you don’t see that every week. He doesn’t even hesitate, he just backs his skill. He turned on an absolute clinic in the opening 20 minutes.”

Walker’s goalkicking was also on point with the 22-year-old nailing six conversions from six attempts and two penalty goals to finish with 24 individual points.

TEAMS

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 17. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 18. Oryn Keeley 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 19. Tesi Niu. 18th man: 10. Tevita Pangai Junior

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 14. Sitili Tupouniua 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May. 18th man: 20. Ethan King