Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has defended his side's record against fellow top eight teams ahead of their final regular season match against the Cowboys on Saturday.
The Bulldogs already have a place in the finals secured and will be hoping to wrap up a home elimination final. However, they are in danger of being branded as 'flat track bullies' due to their underwhelming record against fellow NRL heavyweights.
The boys from Belmore have won just three of nine games against sides currently in the top eight, falling to a disappointing defeat at home to Manly last weekend.
Ciraldo lamented the lack of energy and desire in his side's defence during the loss, with the team with the best defence in the competition shipping 34 points.
Speaking to media ahead of the match against the Cowboys, Ciraldo said the 3-6 record against top eight sides is misleading.
NRL LATEST NEWS: NRL live ladder | Every NRL club's updated injury list | Every NRL fixture and result for each club
"I think a few of our losses earlier in the year against those top sides were as we were learning our style of play and learning how to play and get combinations that hadn't played before," Ciraldo said.
We definitely learnt some lessons there, and over the last six weeks we have got a lot of confidence about what really works for us, and we're going to be in a good position once that starts.
"But we're not looking too far ahead, we're focused on tomorrow night."
He says the recent run of fixtures against sides such as Manly and the Dolphins in front of big and expectant crowds will help prime the side for the cauldron of finals.
"Our run into the finals has been good for us," Ciraldo said.
"We've been playing semi-final type teams against real quality opposition who are vying for those same spots.
"Every game has been a real good contest, we've felt like we've been building our game for a while."
Ciraldo relishing the return of captain Crichton for finals
Many of the players do not have finals experience, meaning Ciraldo will be leaning on the likes of Josh Addo-Carr and returning captain Stephen Crichton to help lead the side in September.
"A lot," Ciraldo responded when asked how much he would be looking to his experienced players to lead the side in the finals.
"Those guys have been about and understand what a big game like this means, we're definitely leaning on those guys and for our younger guys as well.
"Our younger guys are mature beyond their years. I'm so impressed with how they walk into any occasion, particularly over the last six weeks.
"We've had four or five sellouts in a row, but the way they went about their preparation and their game gave me great confidence."
Crichton is returning after missing a game due to suspension, and Ciraldo admits a week on the pine before the intense finals period wasn't the worst outcome for his star centre who has played a lot of football this season.
"As a coaching staff you're always considering who you rest at this time of year, and if we were to rest someone, Critta was probably going to be at the top of the list," Ciraldo said.
"While it was a shame to miss him last week, it will help us in the long run and he'll come back with a bit more energy this week, and he's keen to lead the boys tomorrow night."
