The Dolphins regained defensive strength, overcoming a penalty disadvantage to secure a win against the Eels.
A couple of honesty sessions throughout the week proved telling for the Dolphins as they recaptured their defensive resolve from earlier in the season to leave Sydney with two valuable points thanks to some late heroics against the Eels.
After a slow start to the year, the Dolphins conceded just 64 points from rounds 4 to 7, but that number ballooned to 76 in their previous two games as the Raiders and Roosters piled on the tries in the second half.
The Dolphins had every right to fall apart on Thursday night as the penalty count swelled to 8-1 against them, but they held their nerve and defended stoutly to survive a furious late comeback from the hosts.