Canterbury have shown there's light at the end of the tunnel after claiming the NRL State Championship with a 42-18 thumping of Redcliffe.
Josh Cleeland, Rhyse Martin and Zac Woolford starred as the Bulldogs' reserve grade side ran over the top of the Queensland Cup premiers with a seven tries to three rout.
While the Bulldogs club had a year to forget - highlighted by NRL salary cap problems and a controversial Mad Monday drinking session - they indicated they have plenty of bright young talent coming through their grades.
Martin - who already made his mark on the NRL this year - got his side off to a flyer when he crossed in the fifth minute.
Five-eighth Cleeland then broke the game open in the five minutes before halftime, crossing for a quickfire double.
After finishing off a break by hooker Woolford in the 35th minute, Cleeland gave his side a 16-6 lead at the break after slicing through off a beautiful Renouf To'omaga offload.
Cleeland is off contract at the end of this season but has yet to sign with another club.
"Joshy Cleeland has been great for the last two years," Bulldogs coach Steve Georgallis said.
"For a kid of that talent not to play first-grade, or even have a crack at one game because of a top 30, I don't understand it. He should had had a first-grade game by now."
The Dolphins suffered a big blow when hooker Jake Turpin came off late in the first half with a calf strain.
Seven minutes after the resumption their plight worsened when Chris Smith stepped past halfback Cameron Cullen and muscled his way over.
To'omaga effectively sealed the victory when his try pushed the Bulldogs out to 28-6 in the 51st minute.
The contest was summed up when Jamil Hopoate offloaded on his own line, straight into the arms of Fa'amanu Brown who scored the simplest of tries.
Kotoni Staggs was one of few bright spots for the Dolphins, with the Brisbane-contracted centre crossing for two tries including a 90m runaway after he scooped up a loose pass.
The Bulldogs' triumph means the NSW Cup premiers have now won the last three interstate grand finals against their Queensland counterparts.
"I knew we were in trouble as soon as we left the hotel," Redcliffe coach Adam Mogg said.
"Cause that's what coaches know, You know you're in trouble if you know your team. I knew my were in trouble."
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