Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa is seeking big improvements in his game as he prepares to lock horns with opposite number Nathan Cleary, the master playmaker he modelled his game on.
Katoa and Cleary have gone head-to-head twice in classic battles and will do so again in Darwin on Friday night when the Dolphins "host" Penrith.
"It's awesome to come up against someone you looked up to and tried to base your game off," Katoa told AAP ahead of the match-up.
In 2024 at Penrith it was a stunning 43m golden point field goal by Cleary that sealed a thrilling 28-26 win.
Last year Katoa was magnificent in a 30-10 victory at Suncorp Stadium against the maestro.
In 2024 Katoa had an opportunity at Penrith Park to ice the match with a late field goal but didn't take it.
"I took a lot of lessons out of that game and hopefully it has made me a better player now," Katoa told AAP.
"I remember having a conversation with Wayne Bennett about why I didn't take a field goal in the last 10 minutes.
"When the big moments come the biggest players in the game stand up and Nathan did that … and he did it right in front of my face when I went to charge his shot down."
The Dolphins co-captain, who came through the Panthers system, stressed the upcoming clash was "definitely not just about the two of us" but it is the No.7 in any NRL team that owns the result.
The 22-year-old had 23 try assists in 24 matches last year and has five in as many games in 2026 but none in the side's last two defeats, which include a shocking 52-18 loss to Manly in their last outing.
The average running metres, 69, are down on last year's 108m but Katoa has not been assisted by the absence of injured hooker Jeremy Marshall-King whose darts from dummy-half get the side on the front foot.
Katoa said he needed to be "a lot better" and get more involved.
"I have to take more ownership even if it is with the slightest amount of possession," he said.
"We have to do more with the footy than we have been lately. That is up to me … whether that is running, getting my hands on the ball and putting guys through space or chasing contact in defence."
Katoa said last year's win over the Panthers gave the side confidence but warned the competition leaders were "a different beast this year".
