The Cowboys are underdogs in the elimination final against Cronulla at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, and rightly so with the defence of the Todd Payten-coached outfit having been atrocious far too often.
The 652 points they've conceded over the season is the worst in the NRL era for any side that has made the top eight. An 82-12 thrashing by Sydney Roosters was the low point but last week's 50-30 thumping by Canberra was another flimsy display.
On the flip side, they have also had gritty wins over the Sydney Roosters (18-12), Penrith (26-12) and Canterbury (28-12) which proved they do have the capacity to muscle up. A 46-34 win over the Sharks, although defensively leaky, was another confidence booster.
"Our best and our worst this year has probably been too far apart for my liking and the club's liking," Mahoney told AAP.
"That is something we will certainly look at next year but when Toddy challenged us against the big teams we beat Penrith comfortably, where we were physical early. We did the same to the Sharks and the Roosters.
"On multiple occasions we have shown we can do it."
Mahoney, who has played in 10 finals previously for Parramatta and Canterbury, insists the playing group is "strong and connected" and that their rollercoaster ride this season has not diminished belief.
"Every week you come in and learn a lesson of who you are and your identity as a club," he said.
"We have probably been inconsistent at times but there is plenty of evidence that when we get our mindset right, everything between the ears right, we are a really good football team.
"Everything that has happened this year has been a great journey for us. We deserve to be in the finals but now it is not about what you have done. It is about what you can do.
"We are in a do-or-die stage and we are going to attack everything like our lives depend on it."
Half Tom Dearden has only played three games in the past 17 rounds due to injury but is ready to unleash his best. With five-eighth Jake Clifford's booming boot and attacking whiz Scott Drinkwater at fullback, Mahoney said the Cowboys had the right men in key positions to inspire the team
"I don't like the spine. I love it. It is one of the most elite spines I have been part of," Mahoney said
"When we are all connected and doing the right thing … the team follows.
"The challenge for us this week is that the spine needs to lead the way defensively and our attack will take over and bring our forwards and backs with us.
"We work really hard on our craft as a spine and I hope we will see our best."
