With four on the trot the Dolphins are emerging as one of the hottest teams in the NRL and will fancy their chances of making it five when they meet Wests Tigers to close out Magic Round on Sunday.

After grinding out another impressive victory over the Sea Eagles, Wayne Bennett's side are riding high in the NRL's top four and could be an even bigger threat this weekend as they look to welcome back star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) for his first game since Round 6.  

With Herbie Farnworth returning in style from a shoulder injury and veteran forwards Mark Nicholls and Felise Kaufusi producing some of their career-best footy, the Dolphins don't look to be slowing down anytime soon with games against the Warriors and Raiders before their Round 14 bye.

Wests Tigers, meanwhile, are riding a six-game losing streak and will be desperate to turn effort into points as the Concord club continued as missed tackles (38) and penalties (6) ultimately cost them a win at Tamworth on Sunday. 

The going only gets tougher with star forward Isaiah Papali'i set to join veteran halfback Aidan Sezer on the sideline after being suspended for a Tripping offence but Tigers fans will be hoping young guns Lachie Galvin and Jahream Bula can step up and find the magic at Suncorp on Sunday.

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Team News

Wests Tigers: A late change an hour before kick-off with Asu Kepaoa moving into the starting side and Alex Seyfarth going to the interchange bench. Brent Naden moves back to his preferred position in the centres with Starford To'a (hamstring) out, while Sione Fainu will make his debut from the bench. Tallyn Da Silva is 18th man.

Dolphins: Mark Nicholls goes to the bench, Felise Kaufusi to prop and Connelly Lemuelu will start in the back row in a late shuffle. Star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns from a hamstring injury, pushing Trai Fuller to 18th man. Max Plath (head knock) is out this week, which sees Kenny Bromwich move into the run-on side at lock.

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Stat Attack 

  • Wests Tigers have won three of their four Magic Round games.
  • Dolphins winger Jack Bostock has scored seven tries in his past seven games.
  • Wests Tigers have won only two of their past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
  •  The Dolphins have the second highest tries per game average in the NRL (4.9 per game).
  • Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau will play his 200th NRL game.

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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.