The Hammer strikes back in attacking return to form

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow rediscovered his attacking flair to help lead the Dolphins to their first win of the season, crossing for an impressive try as the visitors led the Titans from start to finish in a 36-10 triumph.

After scoring 15 tries in 16 games last year, ‘Hammer’ had been kept quiet in the opening four rounds but was able to set the tone for his side after capitalising on some good lead-up by winger Jamayne Isaako, trailing in support before sprinting away for the first points of the game, adding to his try assist and 190 run metres.

Tabuai-Fidow credited the belief of Kristian Woolf who has supported him through questions about his involvement, with his coach saying the team bore much of the responsibility for the lack of attack from the fullback in the opening few rounds.

“What I worked on during the week was just getting my game right and helping out with the numbers and my defence as well; and I think we went out there with a good mindset and we bounced back from last week and it's a good feeling (to get the win),” Tabuai-Fidow told NRL.com.

“Just the way I came out there and just played my game and not putting too much pressure on myself, that's when I play my good footy.

“Woolfy’s been big for us; the first four weeks have been hard, but he just said we need to stick together and something will come out and we're not too far off. It showed out there what we can do with the ball and how we defend.

“The way he's been carrying himself for the last four weeks shows the type of person and coach he is and he doesn't blow up too much and I think because we weren't that far off, there was no need to do that, (he has been) putting the belief and confidence in what we can do and our ability.

“Woolfy’s just been saying stick together and it'll come and I think the more patient we were, it turned out better for us.”

Speaking after the game, Woolf again praised the performances of his fullback and was happy to see him celebrate his four-pointer.

“I think Hammer’s been improving every week and we have a responsibly as a group to make sure we get the ball, and we did that a little bit more tonight and you can see how dangerous he was with the ball and how well he was moving,” Woolf said.

“I'm sure it helps him, he likes scoring tries, you can see that I enjoyed that one tonight, and he'll enjoy getting plenty more.”

While the side had not been getting the results, there had been some strong performers, with English centre Herbie Farnworth and 2025 recruit and former Fiji Test plater Daniel Saifiti leading the way.

The duo were again amongst the side’s best in Multicultural Round, with Saifiti – who had been the only forward in the team to top 100 metres in the past few rounds – repaid for his efforts with a try.

“I think D Saf and Herbie have been pretty big for us for the last few weeks, they've tried so hard,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“I think all that hard work has paid off (today) where everyone was connected, trusting each other and just going out there and playing footy; but big wrap to them, they have been big for us and I know they are only going to get better as well as the team gets better.”

The Dolphins however don’t have much time to soak in their win, taking on the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

“It’s a short turnaround, but this win gave us a big confidence boost in what we can do,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“We just go back to the drawing board this week and we go again.”