The Bulldogs break a long finals drought on Sunday when they host Manly in an elimination final.
It has been eight years since the Bulldogs last played a finals match in the NRL, where they were defeated in the same stage by the Penrith Panthers.
There have been a lot of downs for the boys from Belmore, but a hot second half of the season catapulted them to a 6th placed finish, though they come into the game on the back of a two-match losing streak.
Their clash against the Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium is arguably the most difficult to call in week one of the finals, and pundits on Morning Glory with Matty Johns are divided on whether the Bulldogs will live to fight another day.
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Can the Bulldogs win NRL elimination final vs. Manly Sea Eagles?
Matty Johns believes the Bulldogs can still come out on top in their clash against the Sea Eagles despite their recent defeats, one of which was against Manly.
"I'm not overly concerned by the Dogs' last two performances," he said, "I reckon they've been treading water a little bit, I still think they've got a few punches left in them."
His co-panelists Denan Kemp and Andrew Webster were less enthusiastic about Canterbury's chances, saying they have may have reached their limits, and an overachieving and injury affected squad may run out of legs.
"I think they're all punched out," Kemp said, "they've been throwing punches all season long, they've got the fourth most injuries of the year.
"I think it's been incredible, and I know they've been given hype - I actually don't think they've been given enough hype [in] how incredible their year has been - [but] I think they've been rattled with confidence, I think they lost their swagger to a degree after two big, tough losses.
"I think Manly understand how to beat them."
Webster concurred, saying: "I couldn't back the Dogs, there's no way after the way that they've lost the last two games."
Johns continued his defence of the Bulldogs, saying if they can start fast and put Manly on the back foot early, it could set them up for success in front of a big and passionate home crowd.
"What I like about the Dogs is they are a point of difference one way or the other," Johns said.
"If they dictate the terms of the fight, they can beat anyone because of that mismatch.
"What's really important [for] the Dogs win this game.. they've got to start the game at a cracking tempo. Even little things can make a massive difference.
"Don't let the Manly forwards breathe, your whole mindset is about generating extra possessions, you want 55 per cent of the ball, you want to burn Manly out of gas, and then you start to take the big guys apart with short passing."
The Bulldogs know they will need to improve on their performance against Manly two weeks ago, where a poor defensive game saw them lose 36-20, though they were missing captain Stephen Crichton through suspension.
