There hasn't been a better feel good story this NRL season than the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who have returned to relevancy in a massive way in 2024.
After years in the football wilderness, the Bulldogs have exploded back onto the scene this year, and look set to not just make the finals, but are a chance to crack into the top four.
As the team has risen, so too have their ever-loyal fans, quickly becoming one of the most passionate and enthusiastic supporter bases in the league.
Now as the Bulldogs head towards their first finals berth in a decade, the Blue and White army are in full force, with a crowd of nearly 27,000 expected to fill Accor Stadium as they take on the Sea Eagles.
According to head coach Cameron Ciraldo, the team has been buoyed all season by the support of their fans, and it will be a crucial part of their success going forward.
"It's good for us to realise we're inspiring people with the way we're playing and style of footy we're playing," Ciraldo told AAP.
"Our boys really thrive on that, hopefully it grows over the next few weeks.
"It's because our purpose has been really clear about why we want to play finals and get this club back to where it belongs.
"It's not a [weight of] expectation to us, it's something we really value, it's really unique to our club, we'll continue to enjoy that.
"I think we have shown over the past six weeks that we are capable of playing anyone, anywhere, and at any time.
"There was a lot of talk about our away record at the start of the season that I wasn't too concerned about, because we were doing a lot of things really well.
"We've proved to ourselves and everyone that we can play away from home and do a great job."
Currently in fifth position going into Round 26, the Bulldogs will face the Sea Eagles and the Cowboys, as they look to continue what has been an historic season.
