Not even the most optimistic Dolphins fans could have envisaged their team would be unbeaten as they headed into their historic first meeting against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
The promoter's dream pits master mentor Wayne Bennett against Kevin Walters, the man he shared five premierships with as coach and player at the Broncos between 1992 and 2000.
Former Broncos Anthony Milford, Jamayne Isaako, Tesi Niu, Brenko Lee and Kodi Nikorima will be out to get one over on their old club as the Dolphins look to continue their fairytale start to their debut season.
The battle in the middle between Jesse Bromwich and Payne Haas promises to be a beauty with the Broncos enforcer already churning out 210m per game in 2023 and the former Storm man leading by example with 29 tackles and 115m per match at the Dolphins.
In front of a heaving Friday night crowd at the home of Queensland rugby league this promises to be a memorable clash between two sides looking more than capable of playing finals in 2023.
If Bennett's men can get past their crosstown rivals they can set their sights on a clash against another one of their coach's former teams in St George Illawarra and a very real shot of starting their debut season with five wins on the trot.
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Team News
Dolphins: Rookie five-eighth Isaiya Katoa dropped out an hour before kick-off after being troubled by an elbow issue this week. Veteran playmaker Anthony Milford comes into the side against his former club. Mason Teague has been moved into the starting line-up with Kodi Nikorima going to the bench. Felise Kaufusi was found guilty of Dangerous Contact at the judiciary on Tuesday night and will miss four matches, with Poasa Faamausili coming in to start in the second row.
Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with no late changes. Forward Kobe Hetherington dropped out of the reserves on Thursday meaning his NRL return is at least another week away, following a pre-season biceps injury. Deine Mariner is 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds has come up with four try assists so far this season and Dolphins No.7 Sean O'Sullivan has three.
- The last time the Broncos started a season 4-0 was 2003.
- Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich has won 21 games from 23 against the Broncos.
- Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam has scored eight tries in nine games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Dolphins boast the NRL’s leading point scorer (Jamayne Isaako) and two of the leading try-scorers (Isaako and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow).
- Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored 16 tries in his past 15 NRL games.
- Wayne Bennett has won five of his past six games coaching against the Broncos.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .