Described as "a genius' by Phil Gould, mastercoach Wayne Bennett has provided a glimpse into the philosophy that has been the catalyst for the Dolphins' fast start to the NRL season.
"If you believe the saying, 'You are only as good as your last game', then that is where I am always at," Bennett said.
It sounds simple, which it is. That is the Bennett way, and explains why the Dolphins have been able to win four of their first six NRL games of the season.
South Sydney, the team he coached to two preliminary finals and a grand final in three seasons, await at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
It will be a stern test, but Bennett's approach won't change.
His core belief on coaching explains why the Dolphins won against Canberra and Newcastle after a stirring 28-18 victory over Sydney Roosters in their inaugural match.
It also unpacks why a disappointing 36-20 loss to St George Illawarra in round five was followed by a 32-22 win over North Queensland.
"We walked away from the Dragons two weeks ago. That wasn't pretty and that wasn't nice," Bennett said.
"We got to play the Cowboys, and we turned up there. That is the competition. That is the nature of what we do. So you don't get too far ahead of yourself and giving yourself pats on the back.
"After the Dragons game there were no pats on the back. Nobody felt good about what they did. It is a week-by-week proposition, and you are only as good as your last game.
"We need to show ourselves we can consistently play at a high level. Anybody else - whether they support us or criticise us - they can do what they like. We have just got to turn up and do our best."
Bennett's players have embraced that mantra.
Winger Jamayne Isaako is the competition's leading point scorer with 72 points in six games, after recapturing the form he showed under Bennett at the Broncos in 2018 when he was Dally M rookie of the year.
Teenager Isaiya Katoa has been a match winner in his rookie NRL season in the halves despite losing playmakers Sean O'Sullivan and Anthony Milford to injury in consecutive weeks.
Lock Tom Gilbert has gone to another level after a brilliant season at North Queensland last year where he made his State of Origin debut for Queensland.
The list goes on. The bottom line is despite the Dolphins' cruel injury and suspension list in six games they have still found a way to get into the top four.
Gould, one of the great coaches of the modern era, told Channel Nine recently "you can't get these performances without a togetherness, connection, resilience and all of these things have nothing to do with talent."
"Wayne Bennett has been able to instil it in this group in one off-season at a new club and that's what's winning them the big moments in games," Gould said.
Veteran Dolphins prop Mark Nicholls agreed.
"We just want to turn up every week and that is the strength of Wayne. He can bring the group together no matter who is in or out and give us clear focus and direction," Nicholls said.
"The boys have bought into it and we've been able to win off the back of it."
