South Sydney coach John Lang is not a betting man but even he conceded he'd be willing to part with some of his hard-earned to put on St George Illawarra to end their 31-year premiership drought next month.
That was the experienced Rabbitohs coach's blunt declaration after watching the Dragons douse his side's finals hopes with a comprehensive 38-24 victory at WIN Jubilee Oval on Sunday night.
The Rabbitohs went into the match needing to beat the under-strength Dragons by five points to leapfrog Manly - who lost earlier in the day - into eighth spot but were simply blown away by the power and class of the home side in the first half.
While Souths season is over, the first-placed Dragons march on and will host a wounded Sea Eagles side at Kogarah in the fourth qualifying final next Sunday.
The Red and Whites were in a similar position this time last year but lost back-to-back finals matches to Parramatta and Brisbane to embarrassingly bomb out in straight sets.
But Lang said there was no chance of a repeat this season and he expects the Dragons to lift the trophy on October 3.
"I'd be putting my money on them if I was a gambler," Lang said.
"They're a top class professional side. We weren't great tonight but I thought they showed a bit of real spark."
"It's their big challenge, they're here again after they went straight out last year but I think you'll be losing some money if you back them to do same thing this year."
"Their favourites to win the comp and they deserve to be favourites."
Asked what makes them near-certainties to win their club's first premiership since 1979, Lang said: "They're just strong right across the field and have been unbelievably consistent."
"They've also got some big game players there and they're a top class outfit."
"Obviously you've still got to go out and do it on the day but they'll take a lot of beating."
Dragons coach Wayne Bennett admitted his side were heading into the finals in the best shape possible but was typically understated when pressed on his side's chances over the next few weeks.
"It remains to be seen doesn’t it whether we are or we aren't," Bennett said when asked if his side was better placed for a tilt at the tile 12 months on.
"We are now where we were last year so the next month and weeks ahead of us now we'll see if we have learned anything, if we've improved or if we haven’t."
"We've just got to wait and see haven't we?"
A match that started full of hope for the Rabbitohs to sneak into the top eight was basically over inside the first 17 minutes as Dragons back-rower Ben Creagh grabbed a hat-trick as the home side raced to an 18-0 lead.
While the Rabbitohs did lift their game - and even won the second half - the damage was already done.
Lang admitted his players struggled to cope with pressure once they knew their destiny was back in their hands.
"It was exciting to be given an opportunity to try and force our way into the finals but I think the occasion did get to some of the boys," Lang said.
"We just weren't good enough to take the opportunity we were given."
"I do think the whole situation during the week, then two