Having won the battle for the signature of Tevita Pangai, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett now wants to win the NRL war against big guns Melbourne.
The Dolphins host the ladder-leading Storm in a top-four blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, with mid-season recruit Pangai suiting up for his first game since quitting the game last year.
The Storm chased the 28-year-old Tongan international but he opted to reunite with Bennett, who coached him at Brisbane.
Naming him on the bench, Bennett said Pangai, who left league to focus on a boxing career, looked big and strong but he isn't expecting too much given he'd only played a handful of Queensland Cup games this year.
"I know what he can do and I know what he's got to give, but I'm not expecting all that tomorrow night," Bennett said.
"He's a big, mobile man and he's got a bit of mindset that he can change a game, whether it's a tackle he might make or whether it's a ball he might steal or an offload that he can get away with that no-one else can get away with.
"He's had some games and he's been boxing so he's in good shape and I'm sure he will handle it, but I'm not looking for miracles for him."
As well as Pangai, the Dolphins pack has been bolstered by the return of captain and ex-Storm veteran prop Jesse Bromwich, who has overcome a rib injury.
In their only previous clash last season, two former Melbourne players Felise Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich found themselves in trouble in a fiery affair, won by the Storm 24-16.
Kaufusi, who will miss this match after a Maroons Origin call-up, was sin-binned and subsequently suspended for a high tackle on Christian Welch, while Bromwich was placed on report for a forearm to the face of Nick Meaney that sparked an all-in melee.
Bennett said he hoped to see a more disciplined display this time around with his team looking for another heavyweight scalp after upsetting third-placed Cronulla last round.
"Last year one of them gave away two penalties, the other one got a fine and the third fella got three weeks' suspension.
"I just hope they've got it all out of their system now and we can go out and play footy so I don't have to worry about guys being sin-binned or penalised for doing stupid things.
"I'm sure they learnt a lesson from that last year."
Star Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is back after missing five games with an ankle injury, with coach Craig Bellamy pushing Sua Faalogo to the wing in place of Maroons flyer Xavier Coates.
Will Warbrick has overcome COVID-19 to take his place on the other wing while lock Trent Loiero is expected to be released from the Queensland Origin camp to start.
"He (Papenhuyzen) has been training really well for the last couple of weeks, so it wasn't too hard of a decision for him to be straight back in," Bellamy said.
"He's been really confident and he's a great addition with his talk and leadership."
