Dolphins vow to bring their best for Knights road trip

After hammering Brisbane, the Dolphins know a 12th win of the season seals their finals spot. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Dolphins players have vowed to back up their stunning demolition of Brisbane when they play a virtual sudden-death final in Newcastle.

The two sides, both on 28 points, clash in the final game of the regular NRL season on Sunday, with the winner securing eighth spot and a place in the finals. 

The Dolphins walloped Brisbane 40-6 on Saturday night in the most accomplished win of their short history.

Replicating it against the Knights in front of a parochial home crowd won't be as easy but it is vital Wayne Bennett's men do if they are to play finals for the first time.

"We are not in the clear yet," Dolphins prop Tevita Pangai Jnr said after the win over the Broncos.

"We have still got next week to go and the Knights are going to be hungry. They are fighting for a top eight spot as well and we have got to get up again.

"Hopefully we can get a win down there for Wayne because his stint in Newcastle (as coach) wasn't too good.

"Wayne has always had my back and that is why I love playing for him."

Tevita Pangai Junior.
Tevita Pangai Jnr charges into Brisbane's defensive line at Suncorp Stadium.

Pangai was the best forward on the park against Brisbane. Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako collected 16 points for the match to take his season tally to 221.

Isaako had no doubt the Dolphins would recalibrate and meet the next challenge in Newcastle.

"We have definitely got the belief in the team and the players in the top 30 to do a job for this club," he said.

"I think everyone that comes into the squad is willing to put the jersey on and play for each other.

"Next week is a huge occasion for us. We will re-focus ourselves and look forward to Newcastle."

The man of the match against the Broncos was Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth. He said if the Dolphins were to play finals they would not just be making up the numbers.

"I think anyone watching that game can see we can match it with those top four teams," Farnworth said.

"Against Panthers (in a 28-26 loss) we were unlucky not to win. It was the same against Melbourne the first time we played them (in a 30-24 defeat) and against the Roosters (when beaten 40-34) in Perth when we got a couple of injuries.

"We haven't really put 80 minutes together apart from (the Broncos win) so it's good timing for the finals."

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