“For what we’re building, I’m just so proud of them,” Pay said.
“We spoke about wanting to finish season off the best way we possibly can and spoke about defending well and putting a lot of energy into our defence.
“Over the last six or seven weeks that’s what kept us in games and gave us the opportunity to win games.”
An inspirational effort in both defence and attack from skipper Josh Jackson led the way.
“I say it every weekend, he’s the heart and soul of this team, him and Aiden Tolman,” Pay said.
“But there wasn’t a bad payer out there.”
A monumental 263 metres, 10 busts and a try from centre Will Hopoate – forced to spend time at fullback after a shoulder injury to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak – was a standout while Pay was also heartened by impressive games from younger players like Nick Meaney, Kerrod Holland and Corey Harawira-Naera.
With six wins from their past eight games – every one of those six against a team that was inside the top eight at the time – Canterbury remarkably remain a mathematical chance of making the eight if they win their final two games and a raft of other results go their way.
Pay laughed when reminded the door is still ajar.
“We’ve got to go to North Queensland next Thursday, we will get ourselves ready, they want to finish their season off in best fashion as well,” he added.
Payday finally for Dogs
A PROUD Bulldogs coach Dean Pay says he is aiming to build the team into a top-four force and was rapt with yet another top-eight scalp in his side’s late-season, exciting surge after his team barbecued the Eels 12-6 on Thursday night.