In simplistic terms, that's the best way to sum up South Sydney's court bid to gain re-entry into the National Rugby League. The Rabbits are underdogs yet again. News Ltd and NRL types have been leaking the word to the right places that they are close to getting over the line. That's the style of their cocky legal team, but it is working. Even the most ardent Rabbitohs man was on the phone offering some grim news for Souths types.
Legal sources say it is hard to read the mood of the judge.
He is yet to really warm to the emotion of the Rabbits. Souths appear to be making strong ground on the trade practices front, but are not moving as well on their fairness claim. A big positive for Souths is that the judge has asked for a representation from the Rabbits about their likely player strength and sponsorship involvement for next season. News Ltd are confident they made enough early ground when they had Souths boss George Piggins in the box. Souths observers say Piggins, in his rough and tumble way, stood up to News and gave a fair account of himself.