Their defence and belief in themselves is the big difference. Winning does become a habit, and to be able to overcome a one-sided refereering display like today and a host of injuries shows how much of a team they have become.
On paper we don't look like a top eight team, and without our two best attacking players (DCE and Turbo) we've had to rely on our forwards to dominate. And they have done just that. Having two hookers is fantastic because between them they do 50+ tackles a match and are fresher to make breaks. I'd rate our forward pack as the equal of Easts and Souths.
Our 'no-name' backs are playing far better than any of us could have hoped. Elliot, Loaf, Ginge, Miski and now Cust have done us proud.
LG has been good, but no better than I thought he'd be. Suli has also improved, and may not be able to force his way back into First Grade unless there are more injuries. Jorge has been safer than the Federal seat of Warringah....
Now it's up to the Doorman to get quickly up to speed.
When DCE and Turbo come back our 'no names' will have had NRL experience and be great foils to our attacking weapons.
If we can get a fair run with injuries then we'll give the current runaway leaders a real fight for the premiership.