Even before South Sydney stormed away with a statement win over defending premiers Melbourne, they were declared NRL title contenders.
And it was by none other than premiership-winning coach Phil Gould.
"South Sydney can win a premiership this year. They're a seriously good football team this year," Gould said on the Nine Network midway through the second half of the Rabbitohs' 30-20 win.
However, just as Rabbitohs fans begin to dream of another trophy, coach Anthony Seibold was quick to quash any fantasies of a deep finals run.
"'Gus' is involved with Penrith as well, you've got to remember that," he said.
"He's trying to take a bit of heat off them. He's probably learnt that from Wayne (Bennett).
"We're really pleased with the result and pleased with the performance, there's no doubt about that. (But) we're certainly not getting carried away."
He also pointed out that it was only last week that his side were deemed to have dropped in form following a shock loss to the Wests Tigers and an unconvincing win over Parramatta.
"Everyone said we were going down the other side of the hill," he said.
"We just focus on what we can do. It's my job to be consistent and the players' job to be consistent. We can't control external noise."
Regardless of Seibold's desire to hose down the talk, his Rabbitohs have bolted straight back into premiership reckoning after reclaiming top spot from the Storm with the win.
And it was electric hooker Damien Cook who starred, taking full advantage of his forwards' dominance to score a try and set up another in a scintillating performance.
The NSW State of Origin hooker made inroads into the teeth of the Storm defence all night, including a match-turning 40m individual effort midway through the second half.
"Cookie was really good. He's been very good all year. It was good to see him jump out of dummy half and put some pressure on the markers," Seibold said.
"I thought the big boys did a good job because Cookie can't do his thing unless they get quick play-the-balls. Sam, Tom, George, Clarkey when he come on, they did a particularly good job."
The only sour note was a likely season-ending knee injury to utility Adam Doueihi, while Seibold also confirmed skipper Greg Inglis would miss next week's match with the Sydney Roosters.
Share
