Dolphins aim for '80-minute game' amidst Bromwich boost

After riding the wave of posting a record win against the Titans last week, the Dolphins will need refocus this week before taking on a Raiders side keen to make amends for their Round 2 loss.

The Dolphins have defied the odds this season to sit inside the top eight with five wins from their eight games – including their scrappy 20-24 come-from-behind win the last time they faced Canberra at Kayo Stadium – but have struggled to put together two whole halves, something the side need to address moving forward.

“(I was pleased with) the way they went out and regrouped themselves and played the whole second half, 40 minutes. It was excellent, it was a complete contrast to the first half,” coach Wayne Bennett told media at the post-match press conference about the way his side were able to turn around their 26-6 halftime deficit against the Gold Coast.

“We fixed that one up today (second halves); we need to fix the first half up now.”

Speaking to NRL.com in the winning sheds after the game, Dolphins winger and competition leading points scorer so far with 86 Jamayne Isaako said it would “make things a whole lot easier” if his side were able to play their best football for a full 80 minutes, rather than relay on a game-busting opening half or record-equalling second half to post wins.

“Obviously, the first half this week wasn't our best and our second half last week (against the Rabbitohs) was pretty ordinary,” Isaako said.

“Our second halves haven't been too great, so we're just taking each week as it comes and hopefully build on each game. 

“But we need to put together a consistent 80-minute game and we'll be pretty unstoppable if we can do that.”

For their match this Saturday, the side have been boosted by the return of representative forward Kenny Bromwich from suspension, meaning the Dolphins had their full-strength forward pack available for selection for the first time since Round 2 of the season.

With Bromwich named in the front row alongside brother Jesse, Connelly Lemuelu and Felise Kaufusi have held their spots in the second row.

Kaufusi returned from a four-game suspension in his side’s win last week and was one of the side’s key performers, earning praise for his defence from coach Bennett in the process.

“You can’t replace match fitness, you can get flogged as much as you want which I did in that past four weeks, but nothing compares to that game fitness,” Kaufusi told reporters of his return to the field.

“It’s going to take a couple more weeks to get that game fitness back and it’s something I am going to work hard on.”