Like many people, I expected the Dolphins to start well before falling in a heap. Once again, Wayne Bennett is proving us wrong.
The last few weeks have been exceptional for the Dolphins because they have been missing key players like halfback Sean O’Sullivan, Felise Kaufusi and Anthony Milford.
Yet they keep coming up with wins.
Second-rower Tom Gilbert has really impressed me. He doesn’t stop, loves the hard work and constantly inspires his teammates. He’s one of those footballers you hate playing against.
The Dolphins’ recruitment has been astute, going after solid, experienced forwards; all those hard heads who keep them in the fight.
Then there’s the genius of Bennett: the way he prepares individuals, the way he knows their personalities, the way he keeps everyone happy.
Bennett poses for a selfie with a Dolphins fan after the win over the Roosters.Credit: Getty
He wants his team to play simple but effective football with high completion rates off the back of a good kicking game. The Dolphins attack teams with their defence and, as a result, they are always in the contest, working hard for each other.
Gilbert is impressive, but the big standout is Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback.
I knew he had all the tools to be a really good winger, but under Bennett he’s become a world-class No.1. His speed and the way he puts himself in a position to score tries has blown me away.
Skipper Cameron Murray soaks up the atmosphere at Souths training.Credit: Sunny Brar/South Sydney Rabbitohs
On Thursday night, Bennett comes up against his former team, South Sydney, at Suncorp Stadium.
The Bunnies’ form has been indifferent, although they’ve been missing key middle forwards. They will be happy Jai Arrow returns this week.
Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell fired in the 50-16 win over the Bulldogs last start – their best performance of the season. When they fire, Souths fire.
Captain Cameron Murray gets through so much work – almost too much. He usually tops the tackle count, and his ball-playing in the middle, the way he links with his halves, is critical.
However, just watch how often he gets hit after he passes the ball. He digs so far into the line I worry how many knocks he gets.
Wayne Bennett celebrates after beating the Broncos in 2019.Credit: NRL
The Dolphins can cause another upset in this match, but the key is not giving away too many penalties.
When Souths get penalties, they fall into their set sequences with Walker, Mitchell, Damien Cook and Lachlan Ilias. Everyone knows what’s coming, but they can’t stop it.
The Dolphins need to keep the ball in play and tire them out. They need a high completion rate and to kick early, especially in the first 20 minutes, because Souths struggle with their set sequences from kick-reception football.
Souths can’t get frustrated. Don’t let them drag you into that arm-wrestle. Play your own game.
Should the Dolphins win, I expect Wayne to be dancing in the dressing room like he did when Souths beat the Broncos in 2019.
It’s like watching The Simpsons’ Mr Burns at a dance party – and it’s something you can’t unsee.
Joey’s tip: Dolphins by 4.
First try-scorer: Jamayne Isaako.
Man of the match: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Mitchell Moses celebrates the win against the Tigers on Easter Monday.Credit: Getty
Moses making waves
As a half, there are several ways to get your side over the line. Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses showed against the Wests Tigers that one of the most effective options is kicking your side to victory.
The biggest compliment I can give him is to say the performance was Ricky Stuart-like.
We’re going to see Moses at his best over the next four or five years. The game’s really slowed up for him and it’s starting to show.
Penrith’s Nathan Cleary is the game’s premier No.7 but, if something happens to him, Moses is the next NSW and Australia halfback in line.
What we don’t appreciate enough is how quick he is, scoring long-range tries, and his passing game is brilliant.
But his kicking and game management, as we saw on Easter Monday, has come to the fore. He continually parted the Tigers defence like that other famous Moses parted the sea.
As long as he’s in form, the Eels are a threat. People are knocking them, but in my mind their premiership window remains open.
The Eels are specials against the Bulldogs on Sunday at CommBank Stadium.
Dylan Edwards scores one of his four tries against Manly last weekend.Credit: Getty
Panthers start to purr
After the first few rounds, I was worried Penrith would struggle to make the top four.
They had a slow start, losing the World Club Challenge and then to the Broncos, and we all dismissed them, forgetting they’d lost those matches only by a point.
Their key players are still there. Api Koroisau has been a big loss but Soni Luke is improving all the time. Cleary and Dylan Edwards never play poorly.
Penrith’s big test will be how they handle the Origin period because they’ll be missing a lot of those key players. But if they’re fit and healthy after Origin, I expect them to make the top four.
The Roosters are still the premiership favourites in my eyes but, if the Panthers’ spine is fit and healthy, they’re going to be hard to beat.
