Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa credits Kristian Woolf's belief with helping him control matches and play instinctively.
"If there is one word to sum up how much Woolfy has done for me it is definitely to show the confidence in me to go out and be myself, take control and play exactly what I see," Katoa said.
Woolf has guided the Dolphins to their first finals appearance and Friday night's grand-final qualifier against the Sydney Roosters.
CEO Terry Reader expects the 51-year-old coach to sign an extension after the season, despite technically being off-contract on November 1.
"That's something that will be taken care of quite quickly," Reader said.
"the intention is for him to be a long-term coach at the club, and that's his intention as well."
Woolf is signed through 2027 and succeeded Wayne Bennett after helping establish the club in 2022.
Before joining the Dolphins, he won three consecutive Super League premierships with St Helens and transformed Tonga into an international powerhouse.
The Dolphins were 12th after eight rounds, having lost four games, but Reader said the club never questioned Woolf.
Herbie Farnworth said Woolf demanded high standards while creating an environment where "all the boys look up to him."
Woolf could become the longest-serving Dolphins coach after Bennett, ending a pattern of short tenures that included Newcastle's Rick Stone and Brisbane's Anthony Seibold.
"It gave us great credibility and stability, and you've seen the fruits of that now," Reader said.