It’s a funny thing confidence; after a recent form spurt – the Bunnies are still mathematically a chance to sneak into the NRL Top 8 in 2008, but they would have to mirror the historic 1955 ‘Red and Green miracle’ to do it.
In 1955 the Bunnies were victorious in 11 successive games, to win the comp after being stuck at the bottom of the ladder for the first part of that year.
Only 3 weeks ago South Sydney were certainties for the NRL wooden spoon, but this round the Bunnies head into their clash with the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Monday night full of confidence and ready to make up lost ground. They face a Bulldogs side in plenty of trouble themselves, down on personnel, confidence and victories – it’s an ideal chance for Souths to really click into top gear and nab some competition points.
“We haven’t been talking about making the semi-finals or top 8,†Souths forward Roy Asotasi said of his team’s chances.
“We had a bad patch, but now that we have put a couple of wins together we are just focusing on getting the two points each week.
“We are just looking to build on momentum, last week against the Cowboys was a good win, but it wasn’t convincing enough for us and we are just looking to start off well against the Dogs on Monday night.â€
After winning just a single clash after their first 11 games in 2008, things hit rock bottom, but after 3 wins in a row, including the equal 2nd largest comeback in NRL memory against the Cowboys last week, there is a new-found confidence at the club.
“The first half of the season wasn’t great,†Asotasi said.
“We just weren’t enjoying ourselves, the losses don’t help, but after the last couple of wins that we have strung along and the bye, we have just started to find we are enjoying our football a bit more.
“It plays a big part in the game, confidence. At the moment we are feeling that it is a new club and we are just looking to build on it.
“That’s our main focus right now and we can’t underestimate the ‘Dogs on Monday night.â€