Laser focus for must-win clash

Dolphins NRL second rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki says the team has focused on a key area of their game this week, ahead of their must-win clash with the Sea Eagles at Brookvale this weekend.

Heading into round 25, the Dolphins are ninth on the ladder and Manly are 10th.

The game is a must-win for both teams to keep their finals hopes alive. It will also be Manly Captain Daly Cherry-Evans’ 350th for the club which will celebrate his achievement at the game.

“Three games left, back end of the season. We’re sitting at ninth right now, so these next three games are pretty important for us. As a team, we’re just going to look at taking it week by week … not too focused on any other games but focused on this game, this week,” Finefeuiaki says.

“Manly down at Brookvale, Cherry-Evans’ 350^th (game) … they’re going to come out firing. It’s a challenge for us to go down there. We’ve never won there, as a club, so to go down there and take up that challenge will be a real chance for us.”

The 21-year-old concedes there is one key area of their game the Dolphins need to tighten up this weekend if they want to play finals - defence.

Finefeuiaki says it has been a focus at training this week, after lapses proved costly against the Broncos in the Battle for Brisbane.

“I reckon we all can play a role in that one. We weren’t all on our A-game in our defence on the weekend. Today (Tuesday), we did a lot more D instead of attack,” he says.

“We just need to work on what we need to work on, and we’ll be ready for this weekend.”

The return of enforcers Felise Kaufusi and Frank Molo will give the side a much-needed boost up front.

“Having those two back and what they bring to our team, especially to our attack and defence. They’ve both got that aggression that us guys love playing out the back of. They just give us more confidence,” Finefeuiaki says.

So, what is he looking for from own performance?

“Just to carry hard and make my tackles. On the weekend (just gone), I missed a few crucial tackles. I just need to keep moving, stay on my feet … it’s a contact game … just help my edge, especially on the right edge. If I do my job, then the boys will do their job as well,” Finefeuiaki says.

There’s a good feeling in the squad, despite two losses in a row.

“Everyone’s excited, everyone’s refreshed from the weekend … that’s in the past now and we’ve just got to focus on this weekend. It will be a big game for us. We know how important it is for us,” Finefeuiaki says.

The Dolphins play the Sea Eagles on Saturday at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale (kick off 3pm).