I live in the Shire and have hated them since 1967, as to whether they're the real deal remains to be seen.
At the moment I suppose they are the real deal and at just over halfway into the comp it appears they will finish in the top four which gives them a big advantage, their form is very good based on the teams they've defeated so far , but several factors have to be taken into account.
The Bulldogs are a worse this year than last year and apart from their big forwards have no attack plan when in the opposition twenty, they struggled to beat a depleted Manly side at home when everything went their way, including a disallowed try to Manly which would have won the game.
They have had a lot of luck winning all of their very close games and maybe this tide will turn.
At this stage they have suffered very little injuries, and if they remain injury free and finish top four then they're a big chance, but are still behind the Cowboys and Brisbane and probably Melbourne, and perhaps Canberra