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Kiwi Dolphins star braces for Warriors onslaught
Joel Gould, AAP • September 10th, 2026 7:20 am
Jamayne Isaako | Photo: Photosport
Jamayne Isaako credits nightly saunas as integral to him playing 96 consecutive NRL games for a Dolphins club that he never wanted to leave.
The Melbourne-bound winger will play the Warriors away in Saturday's qualifying final with a goal to play at least 99 consecutive matches for the Dolphins.
"To have played all 96 games in a row is something to be proud of and I would happily take 100. To do that inside four years would be something special," Isaako told AAP.
"I'd be equally happy with 99."
To get to 100, the Dolphins would need to lose against the Warriors and progress to the grand final the long way.
"We will take this week first and worry about that when it comes," Isaako grinned.
Isaako puts his iron man ways down to his nightly sauna ritual.
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For a long time he was a regular at recovery centres in the Redcliffe area.
"I ended up buying a sauna of my own, but then I managed be hooked with a company called Nordhaus who sponsored me with a great sauna," he said.
"I do it every night and I swear by it. It plays a big part in keeping me on the field and my body healthy. It helps me sleep as well.
"My ability to stay on the field is a lot to do with my recovery. The things you do off the field contribute to how you perform at training and in games.
"I have prioritised my preparation, which at this level is key."
Isaako is without doubt one of the keys to the Dolphins winning a maiden title. In 2026 he was the NRL's regular season leading points scorer for the third time in his four-year stint at the club and for the fourth time in his career.
This year, his 288 points is his best points return yet, including 21 tries and 102 goals from 121 attempts.
Dolphins training days are intense and don't allow Isaako time to spend a lot of time on his goalkicking craft, so his extras are key.
"So when I have time off I go down to the Albany Creek Crushers and kick goals down there," he said.
"I bump into a whole heap of the public who see me kicking there as well, but if I want to be good at it I have to incorporate in my training schedule."
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The 30-year-old New Zealand international is rightly proud of his point-scoring awards.
"You don't do it for the accolades, but being a try-scoring winger and having the goalkicking job, I am grateful to score that many points," he said.
"Throughout the last couple of years we have been a great attacking team and that has helped me get those awards."
Isaako's intent is to leave with a premiership before joining the Storm in 2027.
"There are young players coming through and I couldn't really come to an agreement with the Dolphins," he said.
"I would have loved to have stayed but it wasn't meant to be, I guess.
"I love this club and I love the people. I have created some of my fondest rugby league memories at this club. Playing in the inaugural Dolphins game and being a foundation player is something I will hold dear to my heart forever."
Isaako's partner is from Melbourne, which will make the move south easier.
"She was born and raised there and all her family are still there," he said.
"It will be nice to be close to that support."
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