Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth has had a few "shocking games'' this year, but his coach says his return to top form has come at just the right time.
The England international was at his best in the 34-32 win over the Warriors last week, but now has the toughest assignment a centre gets in rugby league - marking Canterbury's Stephen Crichton, a three-time premiership winner with Penrith.
There is plenty on the line in Bundaberg on Saturday afternoon. The Dolphins are clinging to eighth position, while the Bulldogs have their sights set on a top-four finish.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said the Farnworth versus Crichton showdown would be one to savour.
"That will be a bit of a contest. They are both pretty proud men and both playing good football, so they will be doing their best against each other," Bennett said.
"(Farnworth) had to settle in. He had a few moments and a few shocking games that weren’t to his standard, but his last six weeks he has been getting better every week. He was very good on the weekend and I expect the same tomorrow."
Bennett gave Farnworth his first rookie contract at Brisbane and recruited the 2023 grand finalist this year to give the Dolphins strike, which he has mostly provided in averaging 164m per match and scoring six tries this season.
Prop Tevita Pangai Junior, another former Bronco recruited by Bennett midway through this year, will line up against Canterbury, the club he left last year to take up boxing.
Bennett said he did not need to give Pangai any special advice.
"He will handle that. He is a big dude. He doesn’t need any help," Bennett said.
"I have been pleased with him. He started late in the season, but he has settled in really well and the boys like playing with him. He has been very disciplined and I am sure he will be that tomorrow. He has got nothing to prove to Canterbury or anybody else."
Pangai has been a role model with his discipline, with no errors in six games.
"Tevita understands what errors do to you these days in the modern game. You want to minimise them," Bennett said.
"If you've got one player in the team making one error every week that is 17 errors you are going to have and that is expensive.
"You need to have players conscious of not making unforced errors, and he has been very good."
