Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has leapt to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s defence, but he also needs his star fullback to make his presence felt if the team is to overturn a winless start.

Despite being one of the NRL’s leading talents, “The Hammer” has been kept quiet in 2025 – his 92 running metres from 11 carries against Wests Tigers arguably his quietest showing since arriving at Redcliffe.

The Queensland Maroons livewire’s promising second half against the Broncos was also offset by the 24 minutes it took him to register a run.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos

South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback and Souths Logan Magpies product Jye Gray leads the Dally M Medal count, averaging 23 runs a game for 213 metres.

Of the 21-year-old’s competition-leading total metres, less than 20 per cent have come from kick returns. He injects himself into the contest.

Meanwhile, Tabuai-Fidow’s numbers (149 running metres – 48.41 per cent from kick returns – from 16.75 carries a game) indicate a man who needs........

© The Sydney Morning Herald