Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been one of the standout performers in both of the Dolphins' wins and he is feeling right at home in his new surroundings.
‘The Hammer’ was one of the earlier signings for the Dolphins, making the move from the North Queensland Cowboys, and has quickly become a fan favourite to the Redcliffe-based fans, even before scoring the first try for the club in their upset win against the Roosters last weekend.
But as much as the Dolphins fans love Tabuai-Fidow, the former Queensland Maroons State of Origin player is also soaking in their vocal support.
“It's crazy coming in as the new club in the NRL,” Tabuai-Fidow told media following the game. “There was some chat that we would win one game, but we're two-from-two, so the buzz around the club is good for us and we're all happy to come training every day.
“The community out here in the peninsular, they really love their footy and they love the club, and you see out there, they helped us get through 80 minutes.
"It’s good to get a packed house here.
“The vibe around the club, it’s only going to grow more from here, obviously it’s a long season, but we’re looking forward to it.
“Last week was the first win for the club in the NRL, but back at home at Kayo Stadium, the crowd here, and in the community, got right behind us ... it was a really tough game, but it was good to get the win in the end.”
It seems Tabuai-Fidow is also feeling equally home at fullback, relishing the responsibility. While a noted attacking weapon, he’s been working hard to perfect other aspects of the position since joining with the club and has learnt to back himself more under the guidance of coach Wayne Bennett.
His match-winning showing in Round 2 featured the two tries, including the winning four-pointers, 157 run metres, a line break and a tackle break. However, it was his positioning at the back and safe hands in tough, wet conditions that proved vital for the Dolphins.
“I thought I handled it pretty well back there with the weather,” Tabuai-Fidow said of his performance.
“I just thought in the back of my mind to back myself, even though the weather wasn't what we wanted it to be.
“It was a good solid game out there and it was a good win for us.
“That’s built on pre-season, just Wayne having confidence in me, and just having confidence in myself.
The Hammer snatches the lead
“At training I do work on my ‘d’ with Woolfy (assistant coach Kristian Woolf) there to get better.
“Obviously, just to know what the teams are we are playing each week, but I do work on it hard and I do want to improve each week, and I feel like I'm improving and just trying to get better from here."
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The Dolphins face their next challenge next week when they head to their first away game, taking on the Knights in Newcastle who will be captained by fellow Queenslander Kalyn Ponga who until his recent switch be to five-eighth was one of the leading fullbacks in the game.
“There's really talented fullbacks out there, but I'll just take it week-by-week just to get better each week," Tabuai-Fidow said of the range of skilled custodians in the game at the moment and drawing inspiration from their play.
"I'm just looking to improve every day at training and hopefully keep going up from here.”