The Dolphins have received a huge boost for their do-or-die clash against Newcastle, with centre Herbie Farnworth passed fit as Wayne Bennett revealed his two-word plan to stop Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga.
Farnworth, fresh from a man-of-the-match display in the 40-6 win over Brisbane, will play in Newcastle on Sunday after overcoming hamstring tightness.
The winner will secure eighth position and play finals.
The England international had ice on a hamstring during the week and did not finish two training sessions, but Bennett confirmed he was fit to play.
"He's all good today," Bennett said after captain's run.
"He certainly did play very well (against the Broncos), but we all forget that Herbie missed two months of the season with (a shoulder injury) this year as well, so it was a big loss to us at the time because of what he brings … and he’s good to go tomorrow."
Knights fullback Ponga was a recruitment target for the Dolphins when they came into the competition.
Ponga, who Bennett said was a "special player", is capable of carrying his side on his back to victory. The coach was succinct when asked how to nullify his impact.
"Tackle him," he said.
Bennett made several key position changes for the Brisbane win with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moving to centre, Jake Averillo shifting from centre to No.6, Sean O'Sullivan starting at halfback and Trai Fuller recalled at No.1.
The coach did a major Broncos revamp in the run to the 2006 grand final win when he moved Shaun Berrigan to hooker, Justin Hodges to fullback and put faith in unheralded half Shane Perry.
It worked a treat 18 years ago, as did Bennett's changes last week.
"You take a risk and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t," Bennett said.
"It worked for us last week … you've got to sometimes take that risk, otherwise you're not going to get where you want to go."
The Dolphins have two key returns for the Knights clash with the versatile Kodi Nikorima and captain Jesse Bromwich returning from concussion.
"Kodi has been a wonderful player for us this year and there’s a part of me that doesn't like putting him on the bench at the moment because of what he brings to the team every week," Bennett said.
"At the same time I've got to stick with what worked great last week.
"We're going to use Kodi a fair bit. You talk about leadership qualities and Jesse leads by example."
Bennett, who coached Newcastle for three seasons, said McDonald Jones Stadium was "a wonderful place" to play football and added his side would not be daunted by the challenge.
"We've matched it with the top teams all year," he said.
"It's just a case of getting our game right tomorrow and playing to our capabilities."
Bennett conformed prop Thomas Flegler, who has only played four games this year due to a shoulder injury, would have nerve transfer surgery next week in an attempt to get him on the field in 2025.
"The nerve hasn't responded," Bennett said.
"There's restricted movement and a fair bit of pain, so they believe this is an opportunity that they can take and hopefully get it right.
"No guarantees they will, but that's the risk he's taken and we'll see where it goes."
