Superstar’s ominous contract statement; masterclass that sparked boilover — Player Ratings

The Dolphins secured a huge 26-16 win over the Warriors in their first ever finals appearance, booking a slot in the preliminary finals.

Kristian Woolf's side once again started slow and trailed by eight points just after the 20-minute mark, before surging late to deliver a huge comeback victory.

A superstar outside back proved why he's rated alongside the best players in his position, while an Origin gun delivered when it mattered most.\

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Read below for foxsports.com.au's Dolphins player ratings!

1. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW - 8.5

His speed played a crucial role in his side's first try, but the Dolphins superstar fullback was kept largely quiet in the first half. But Tabuai-Fidow wouldn't stay silent, making an awe-inspiring break from a kick return before getting the ball back to score what proved to be the matchwinning try.

2. JAMAYNE ISAAKO - 6.5

In typical fashion the gun winger slotted his first conversion from the sideline and had seven runs in the first half, ending his night with 128 running metres and five goals from five attempts.

3. JACK BOSTOCK - 7.5

A patchy first half saw the Origin centre give away multiple penalties, while referee Adam Gee also laid down the law, being caught by Fox League saying "Jack, stop the whinging". However, Bostock scored from a messy kick in the dying stages of the clash and consistently probed throughout the contest.

4. HERBIE FARNWORTH - 9.5

Delivered a pinpoint tip-on for Selwyn Cobbo's first try, which was described as "too good" by Fox League's Greg Alexander. As has become his trademark, the English international's darting runs back to the centre of the field were on full display and he scored a crucial try in the 61st minute to silence the Warriors fans. Throw in the mix a wild pass to find Tabuai-Fidow for the matchwinning four-pointer and it's fair to say Farnworth delivered a centre masterclass the included 255 running metres. It was a timely display too, considering Farnworth is set to hit the open market if he doesn't put pen to paper on a new deal before November 1, and more strong displays could only boost his market value.

5. SELWYN COBBO - 6

Scored the Dolphins' first of the afternoon, but was sent to the sin bin after coming "from the other side of the field", according to Adam Gee, during the melee that followed Isaiya Katoa's lifting tackle on Jackson Ford.

6. KODI NIKORIMA - 7

Was unable to stop Taine Tuaupiki with a missed tackle in the 17th minute, with the Warriors fullback scoring the first try of the clash in a quiet first half. However, Nikorima was more involved in the second half and recorded two line break assists, combining with Farnworth on the left edge.

DOLPHINS' HISTORIC WIN: Warriors stunned to silence in FIERY finals thriller

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7. ISAIYA KATOA - 8.5

Probed and organised in the first half. However, the talented halfback missed the mark in attack with a big dummy in the 25th minute with his outside backs in space. Katoa was also lucky to avoid the sin bin for a lifting tackle on Jackson Ford, but laid on a try assist in the second half and his kicking was excellent throughout the contest. He recorded an impressive 594 metres off the boot to go with 22 tackles.

8. TOM FLEGLER - N/A

Suffered a nasty head knock in the opening stages of the clash, attempting to tackle Mitch Barnett and subsequently left the field with a category one head knock which ruled him out. Lucky for the Dolphins, he will be free to play in their next game after earning the week off.

9. JEREMY MARSHALL-KING - 8.5

Looked to be a real threat early in the clash with darting runs from the ruck and his defence was stellar throughout the opening 40 minutes, making 23 tackles, including a number of crucial defensive efforts. Ended the game with 51 tackles and was one of the Dolphins' most reliable players throughout the contest.

10. TOM GILBERT - 6.5

Got through his defensive work, making 36 tackles and did his job in the middle of the park. Not a huge night by Gilbert's standards across his 39 minutes, but his determination and will to win is always key for the Dolphins.

11. MAX PLATH - 7.5

His dynamic footwork with the ball in hand proved to be tough to handle, but the Origin gun missed a crucial tackle in the lead-up to the opening try of the clash, slipping off Taine Tuaupiki. He made up for it in the second half, totalling 92 running metres and making 39 tackles in a typically tough display.

12. KULIKEFU FINEFEUIAKI - 8

Solid with ball in hand as has become the trademark of the Phins' damaging back row. 110 running metres and 34 tackles, without a single miss. A tough, rugged and reliable 80-minute performance overall.

13. MORGAN KNOWLES - 6

Across his 40 minutes, the English international did his job in the middle of the park. Knowles made 22 tackles and ran for 42 metres.

14. KURT DONOGHOE - 8.5

The Dolphins cult hero was thrown into the clash early after Flegler's night came to an end and he made an immediate impact. Donoghoe was consistently first receiver and he put his halfback in strong attacking positions across his 70 minutes on the field. Throw in the mix 34 tackles, 97 running metres and four tackle busts and Fox League's Luke Keary described his performance as "enormous".

15. RAY STONE - 5

Came on with a target on his back, and his brave run from the kick-off saw Adam Pompey go to the sin bin. Only 22 minutes for Stone, but his toughness certainly lifts his teammates.

16. FRANCIS MOLO - 5

It was Molo's first final in 13 years of NRL football and he made a solid impact off the bench. The prop's first run has 12 post-contact metres alone but his time in the game was brief, with only 25 minutes.

17. CONNELLY LEMUELU - 6

Lemuelu was largely quiet after coming on the field and avoided the sin bin for what appeared to be a hip drop tackle on Ali Leiataua. He played 52 minutes overall, with 17 tackles and 52 running metres. The gun back rower was returning from a hamstring injury and shuffle Plath off an edge and into the middle.

19. BRADLEY SCHNEIDER - N/A

Didn't take the field.

22. TEVITA NAUFAHU - N/A

Didn't take the field.