Despite the 11-goal margin, the Dolphins could hold their heads high, with Russell Gabriel, Clint Proctor, Warwick Miller, Luke Potts, Shane Hockey, Matthew Clark and Nick Bateman the standouts.

Needing all the help they could get against the VFL ladder leaders, the Dolphins lost the toss and were forced to kick into a six-goal breeze and, sure enough, trailed by 34 points at the first break thanks to the accurate kicking of Little. As the second quarter began, the wind stopped and the rain started, robbing the visitors of the chance to level the scores, and the half-time deficit was 36 points.

The gale resumed after half-time and the Seagulls made the most of it.

Dolphin Daniel Campisano had blanketed Rose in the first half but a reshuffle saw Langwarrin's Mark Baguley get the job in the third term, and he was given a lesson. Rose booted four for the term as the Seagulls piled on eight goals for the quarter.

The Dolphins finally got their chance with the wind at their backs in the final term and dominated, sending the ball inside 50 20 times and booting 4.8 for the quarter, inaccuracy wasting the chance to close to a respectable margin.

The final game of the season is this Saturday against fellow stand-alone team Port Melbourne, which thrashed Geelong by 101 points last week to secure a top-four berth.

Another strong effort like last Sunday will allow the Dolphins to hold their heads high after a season that has produced few wins but a lot of promise for the future.