Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered the Dolphins to the doorstep of their four year finals dream by torturing his old club at Suncorp Stadium.

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The nightmare that was the Dolphins 66-0 defeat by Cronulla last round was flushed away by a rousing, if not flawless 36-16 decimation of the Cowboys before an excellent crowd of 35,213.

With 11 wins and a positive points for and against, the Dolphins are likely to need to win just two of their last six games to seal the finals berth they have steadily advanced to with finishes of 13th, 11th and ninth in their first three seasons.

The Cowboys, who now slip to eighth place after their fifth loss in a row to the Dolphins, must curse the day they decided Tabuai-Fidow was superfluous to their short term plans and he went to the Dolphins.

It’s one thing watching him carve up other teams but it’s quite another having him play one of his best matches of the season against you just when both teams are scrambling for a finals berth.

The Dolphins of the opening minutes looked like the shell-shocked rabble they were against the Sharks but the Hammer seemed to hear the alarm bells and his energy and creativity sparked the fightback.

His highlight was a shrewd delayed pass which enabled winger Jamayne Isaako to flash over for his second try.

Dolphins bounce back in top 8 clash | 09:09

FLYING PHIN

Ultra-consistent, twinkle-toed winger Isaako is Melbourne-bound next year and the massive gap he leaves behind was summed up by the try which dragged the Dolphins out of their early slumber.

Isaako somehow managed to stay infield as he tiptoed down the right touch line and his body was floating into touch when he put the ball down. Then came the centimetre perfect conversion.

But all is not lost. One of the reasons the Dolphins were not totally devastated to see Isaako go was because they feel former New Zealand schoolboy Tevita Naufahu is a long term first grader.

After rising through Redcliffe under-19s and the Hotsplus Cup, Naufahu has impressed as a jack-in-the-box flyer. His game smarts, pace and evasive skills were exceptional against the Cowboys – we tip he will become a cult figure on the Peninsula.

Isaako flys high! | 00:18

I SAY ISAIYA

The Dolphins may be back in the winners circle but to keep pace with the competition’s big boys they desperately need their inspirational halfback Isaiya Katoa.

Many of their last tackle options against the Cowboys were rushed and poor.

Stand-in halfback Brad Schneider has had his moments this season, and continues to defend well, but Katoa is the man with the stardust.

Schneider, while willing, lacks the class and conjure of Katoa who is set to return from his fractured arm in a fortnight.

THE MASTER’S BACK

The Cowboys may have lost the game but expect them to be a better team now that their flint-hard general Tom Dearden is back.

Playing his first game since his severe ankle injury in round 10, looked slick and mentally clocked in from his first touch.

He cemented his reputation as one of the game’s best tackle-breaking halves when he powered through for the first try of the match, with Jeremy Marshall-King sliding off Dearden as if he was coated in butter.

Then he displayed the touch a true craftsman with a angular grubber which was pounced on by Jeremiah Nanai who lodged his 50th NRL try quicker than any forward has before him.

Dearden starts fast in injury return | 00:21

JUDICIARY WATCH

Helium Luki was placed on report mid way through the first half for dangerous contact on a kicker. He has three charges this season including a dangerous contact in round 5.

Morgan Knowles was placed on report for a high tackle at around the 30 minute mark. He has one unrelated hip drop charge in round 7.

STAT ATTACK (via Fox Lab)

Expected Set Points: Dolphins 23.7, Cowboys 17.6

– A quality attacking performance from the Cowboys. Finishing with 57 percent possession, completing almost 85 percent of their sets and making 11 linebreaks to the Cowboys two.

– Dolphins losing streak ends at two. After their worst ever defensive effort, their 10 points conceded is their equal best for this year. Just their second win from eight games missing Isaiya Katoa.

– Third team to lose 50 plus to nil this season and win their following match (Eels and Wests Tigers)

– Dolphins third double figure comeback this season – the equal most with Wests Tigers and Titans. First time this season the Cowboys have bombed a 10 point lead.

– Cowboys eighth loss of the season – and their eighth time conceding 30 points or more. They retain eighth position, but now have Manly and the Bulldogs just one win behind, and Storm and Raiders just one further back.

– Dolphins continue their great recent record against the Cowboys – Their five game winning streak is the club’s best against any opponent. The last four all by more than 18 points.

– Jeremiah Nanai scored the 50th try of his career – his 28th from a kick. The only player with more tries from a kick his since his debut in 2021 is Xavier Coates (31). The next most for a forward is Hudson Young and Eli Katoa with 15.

– Jamayne Isaako grabbed his fourth try double this season, and the 20th of his career. He is equal third on the try scorers list this year with 17, behind Tom Jenkins (25) and Alex Johnston (20).

Fox Lab POTM – Kurt Donoghoe came on in the 33rd minute with the Dolphins down 10-6 and changed the momentum of the match providing two try assists including a glorious no look ball to Kaufusi in the 38th minute to give Dolphins the lead at halftime.

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