Dolphins forwards Ray Stone and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki count the lessons learnt and a fully fit forward pack as key reasons why the squad is primed to surprise in their maiden finals campaign.
Having helped the side achieve their finals goal in his final season with the club; the retiring Stone said one major factor to their success so far this season had been a relative good health of their forward pack, despite losing Daniel Saifiti to medical retirement earlier this year.
Last season, Stone was forced to play through AC joint sprains, getting weekly needles in both shoulders as an injury crisis struck the club, with players like Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert sidelined.
“I think our whole squad's been a lot more healthy, which has definitely helped the middle rotation,” Stone said.
“Last year, I think pretty much our whole start pack was in rehab, so being a lot healthier this year, the minutes have been distributed a lot differently, which has helped me keep my body a lot fresher.
“I think every pre-season, we've had the squad to do it (make the finals) … I think we could have done it earlier if we had have been healthy those years.
“It's good to see that our whole squad's been healthy this year and we're really pushing on that potential we've got.”
Gilbert's blessing in disguise
For rising forward Finefeuiaki, the feeling around the club was “pretty high”, but the players were focused on the task ahead, taking on an in-form Warriors side in front of their home fans.
Although they finished third on the ladder, the club also suffered some of the worst losses in their history, with two especially poor showings in front of their fans at their spiritual home in Redcliffe - 52-18 against the Sea Eagles and 66-0 against Cronulla - providing an opportunity to grow.
“I want to be part of history,” Finefeuiaki said.
“For the club to play their first finals, it's pretty special, not just for me but for the team that we have as well.
“I think we took a lot of lessons from those games that we could have won and the games that we got blown out of the park; those ones have made us come together more and work more on our defence.
“I think our defence was the thing that we needed to work because our attack is probably one of the best attacks in that we can score from anywhere if we wanted to …
“We came together as one and just to work together on that (our defence), so for us to secure that top four spot and … a chance to go straight to the prelims this weekend, (that would) be pretty special.
During the regular season, the Dolphins and the Warriors claimed one win apiece, with a combined margin of four points the difference between them.
However, despite the Warriors having the home crowd and more finals experience behind them, the New Zealand-born Finefeuiaki was looking forward to the challenge of upsetting the pride of Aotearoa.
“I reckon most of us like this kind of stuff, because every time we go into a game we feel like we're the underdogs,” Finefeuiaki said.
“Especially going over to New Zealand, with the crowd they have got and how passionate their fans are.
“We're pretty loud, but I don't know if we'll be able to hear each other on the field, but I think that's what we've got to embrace as a team.
“I reckon it'll be one of the best venues to play and to be a part of too.
“I know that it will be a physical game this weekend against the Warriors; I know our boys will be up for it and I know that they'll be up for it too.”
Match: Warriors v Dolphins
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
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