Kristian Woolf knows Tom Gilbert won't be firing on all cylinders as the powerful lock makes his return from an injury-ravaged 18 months.
But the Dolphins coach wants the Queensland State of Origin forward to mark his comeback with the same intensity and passion that has made him one of the NRL's most admired competitors.
Gilbert will enjoy his first hit-out in more than a year when the Dolphins host the Gold Coast Titans at Kayo Stadium on Saturday as part of the NRL's pre-season challenge.
A shoulder injury just 11 games into the Dolphins' maiden campaign in 2023 ended Gilbert's season.
And the 24-year-old didn't even get on the park last year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in a trial match.
Woolf knows the popular forward will be apprehensive but is encouraging Gilbert to play without fear.
"He's going to have some nerves, but I just want to see him go out and enjoy 30 minutes of footy and we'll all be happy," Woolf said.
"It's been over 18 months since he's played a game of footy, and he's ready to go.
"He's done all the work, he's been enthusiastic around training, he just needs to go out and be confident.
"He plays with emotion and his heart on his sleeve, and that's what we want him to do."
Gilbert's return will give the Dolphins some much-needed power up front alongside the club's major off-season signing of Daniel Saifiti from Newcastle.
Woolf is not done there and has already set his sights on raiding St Helens, where he won three Super League titles, by going after England international forward Morgan Knowles.
Knowles' contract with St Helens expires at the end of 2025, and the Dolphins have expressed interest in the the 28-year-old for the 2026 season.
"He's a player we've got some interest in, but he's got to sort out whether he wants to be a Super League or an NRL player," he said.
"Once he sorts that out we can figure out what we need."
