Centrals Trinity Beach on-baller Josh Maher admits the Bulldogs' stellar 2009 AFL Cairns season caught him unawares.
As the playing group assembled before round one, Maher thought finals football was a possibility if the team performed to its potential.
But five months and 14 wins later the Bulldogs have genuine cause to upgrade their expectations agead of a final premiership charge.
"I think the secret's been that we're such a close knit group," Maher said of the Bulldogs' success.
"We sit back and have a beer with each other after the game or go to someone's house to watch the footy. All the new blokes who have come in have fitted in really well."
Last Modified on 04/09/2009 13:50