Moore keeping a lid on Dogs title talk
Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore isn't about to let his high-flying side get carried away with their blossoming NRL premiership credentials.
The Dogs proved their ability to overcome adversity, bouncing back from last week's controversial loss to St George Illawarra, to topple title favourites Melbourne 26-10 on Saturday night.
The victory looked unlikely when star halfback Brett Kimmorley hobbled from the field early but the Dogs showed their resolve - and trusted their instincts and skill - as they went on to outplay the star-studded Storm in a four-tries-to-two win.
Kimmorley will be monitored this week but the club is confident the in-form playmaker will overcome a badly corked thigh in time for next Sunday's blockbuster against Newcastle.
While Moore admits his top-of-the-table side will draw plenty of confidence from the victory over last year's minor premiers, he maintains the finals race remains wide open.
"The title is a long way off, it's like being in front on the first lap of the Melbourne Cup," Moore said.
"It certainly gives us confidence we can compete with anyone if we turn up on the day and play good footy, we know we're in with a shot of beating whoever the opposition is.
"We still are in many respects a new team but at the moment we're meeting all of the challenges that are being thrown at us.
"But we're also realistic enough and have enough experience around with Bobcat (Andrew Ryan), Luke Patten, Noddy (Kimmorley), Mick Ennis and many other blokes to know that a year in football is a hell of a long time, you get your ups and downs."
But Moore admitted the win over the Storm was one of the sweetest this year for the 2008 wooden-spooners.
"It was probably a little bit special that win, (especially) with Noddy going down," he said.
"Obviously just playing Melbourne, who have been one of the best sides in the past three years, and probably been the best side overall over the last three years of the competition.
"It feels good when you put in a performance like that and it comes off."
The Bulldogs task won't get any easier when they head to Newcastle on Sunday to play the Knights.
"We've got a really good spirit within the side, everyone's enjoying life at the moment, we turn up to training every day and people are happy and we're working hard," Moore said.
"You've just got to keep your head down and keep working hard and we'll front up next week against Newcastle, who've been outstanding, so it's going to be another really good challenge."
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