Some serious soul searching has Dolphins primed to hit back

Fellow forward Tom Gilbert was also quick to take responsibility for the result, saying it was on the players, meaning it was also in their hands to rectify against the Cowboys.

“I know where (that result) came from, it came from us,” Gilbert said.

“It came from the 17 that put the jersey on the weekend and came out and played.

“I'm not at hiding from the fact that it was unacceptable and an embarrassing performance as a group and as a club.

“I know the playing group want to shed that load of responsibility for what we gave on the weekend.

“All I can say is we've moved on from that.

“We've come in … we've trained hard, we've enjoyed it, we enjoy the position we're in.

“We're happy for people to write us off … we understand where it comes from, the criticism too.

“But, we've been in this position before and we know if we put our heads down and come here every day with a great attitude, how quickly we can turn it around.

“No-one's lost confidence … we had a bad game, an embarrassing game, we didn't play well and we don't accept it here at the Dolphins.

“But reality is, it's happened now and we're moving forward.”

Currently sitting in seventh spot, the Dolphins are once again without superstar halfback Isaiya Katoa, who is still recovering from a wrist fracture.

The Cowboys however a hoping to have representative half Tom Dearden back in action for his first game since suffering a syndesmosis injury in Round 10.

A former North Queensland team-mate who has also run alongside him for the Maroons, Gilbert said his side were ready for the threat a returning Dearden might pose.

“We do prepare for the opposition as much as we can, but we have got to get ourselves right,” Gilbert said.

“A lot of our focus has been on us and what we need to do to be better and to be in the position to play.

“But we know the threat that Tommy Dearden brings onto any footy field, and we're very aware of the contribution that he'll make to that team.”

In team news, the Dolphins Maroon Origin contingent of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Tom Flegler and Max Plath – who has overcome an ankle concern – are set to play, but Blues Game Three debutant Jack Bostock has been ruled out, still managing concussion symptoms.

Round 12 debutant Brian Pouniu has been named for his second NRL appearance at centre, while the more experienced Tevita Naufahu on the extended bench could also swap into the role. 

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