Wayne Bennett was feeling more popular than the Easter Bunny after the Dolphins went top of the NRL ladder with a 30-14 win over Gold Coast.
The coach was handing out Easter eggs to his players in the dressing room after the match - and showering several of his key men in compliments at the post-match press conference after his side came back from a 10-0 deficit to win.
The victory at Robina took the Dolphins to six competition points and top of the ladder on for and against.
Whatever occurs for the rest of the round, the Dolphins will share the lead at worst after recording two wins and having a bye in the opening four rounds.
"I probably won't get near the Easter Bunny now. I'll be more popular than him," Bennett grinned, when told where the Dolphins stood on the ladder.
"How good is that? Three weeks into the comp."
The Dolphins re-signed Isaiya Katoa until the end of 2028 earlier in the week and the 20-year-old halfback had a stellar match, digging deep into the defensive line and kicking with aplomb to justify the Dolphins' faith in him.
"I am pleased for him and pleased for the club. I hope he stays with us his whole career," Bennett said.
"There is no reason why he shouldn't now. It wasn't difficult to sign him. There was no long procrastination.
"He is happy and we see him as a wonderful player who can have a long-term future."
Former Broncos duo Thomas Flegler (prop) and Herbie Farnworth (centre) impressed captain Jesse Bromwich in Saturday's win.
Flegler rampaged against the Titans, while Farnworth scored his first try for the club in a complete performance.
"They are world-class players and that makes the guys around them better," Bromwich said.
"They are doing a lot of good things off the field which translate out there. They were really good."
Winger Jamayne Isaako, the club's player of the year in 2023, landed five goals from as many attempts and gave the Dolphins impetus from the back.
His two conversions from the sideline in the first half gave the Dolphins a 12-10 lead at the break.
"He practises a lot. He is so dedicated and a wonderful player for us," Bennett said.
"He does all the little things that give you an edge."
