The Canterbury Bulldogs will be looking to strengthen their hold on a top-four spot when they host the Manly Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night. To follow all of the action make sure you join us on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST).
While some may be writing them off as premiership hopefuls, the Bulldogs have put themselves in a great position heading into finals.
Sitting in fourth spot on the ladder, a game clear of the Cowboys in fifth, the Bulldogs will be looking for a big win in Round 23 to fasten their grip on a top-four spot.
With consistency having been their arch enemy all season long, expect the Bulldogs to come out firing as they look to build up a head of steam in the run to the finals.
A season of two halves would be an accurate way to describe 2016 for the Manly Sea Eagles as they have picked up their performances since the half way point of the season.
After being ravaged by injury early in the year, many wrote off the Sea Eagles as a finals chance but a mini resurgence sees them still a mathematical chance to play finals.
While it would take something special to get that far, expect Manly to play spoilers for a few other teams in the final month of the minor rounds.
In selection news for this game the Bulldogs have added Kerrod Holland and Lloyd Perrett to an extended squad while the Sea Eagles welcome back Jamie Lyon who will start at five-eighth which means Dylan Walker will start in the centres.
The Bulldogs come into the game on the back of consecutive victories against the Knights and Dragons, while the Sea Eagles are coming off a nail-biting loss to the Eels last week.
While there is plenty at stake for both teams in terms of the season, there will also be plenty of intriguing story lines to follow in this game.
The battle of the forward packs is always one to watch and this one will be no different as Aiden Tolman, James Graham and David Klemmer of the Bulldogs will face off against Darcy Lussick, Martin Taupau and Jake Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles.
One final duel to watch will be between the talented fullbacks as Will Hopoate will be looking to outshine the Sea Eagles young gun Tom Trbojevic, who has been taking all before him.
Prediction
Despite the Sea Eagles having had a solid last month, the Bulldogs will be too powerful up front and this will set up the win for them.
Bulldogs by 12 points.
Will the Bulldogs consolidate their spot in the top four or can the Sea Eagles keep their mathematical finals chances alive? Join us on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) to follow all of the action.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
That's it. It's not the rules it's the refs. They're so terrified of being criticised for a match deciding penalty in extra time they simply won't blow the whistle. It's ironic that I'm sitting here bashing them (and I'm normally in support of referees due to the less than appreciative nature of the job).
Widget
Roar Guru
Was close to giving Reynolds but then I saw Taupau had 4 offloads and 8 tackle breaks and that tipped him just in front for me.
MAX
Guest
Ben, whatever your ailment I wish you a speedy recovery.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I thought Reynolds 3, Taupau 2, Graham 1
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed. The players for both teams were standing 10 metres behind the ruck and defenders were still getting to them before they had a chance to kick. There was one late iwhere the Bulldogs markers were standing either side of the guy playing the ball and down in sprinters crouches. If it wasn't so bad it would be laughable. The NRL has said no golden point for semis - it will be 10 mins of extra time. Will the refs suddenly come out and start vigorously enforcing the rules in extra time? Will teams be given a heads up that this will be the approach? What a crazy situation we've created when refs need to let teams know that they will be enforcing the rules...
catcat
Roar Rookie
I have enjoyed watching golden point in the past...but its the refereeing (or lack of) that is doing my head in at the moment. Half of the poor field goal attempts are due to offside defenders charging at the kickers. Also few teams have cottoned on to the fact if the kick isn't on - go for field position or a try. The refs cannot ref it at the moment and its ruining it. Bring in golden try and get the whistle out of your pocket.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I think you just go to 10mins extra time to be completed if you are going to keep it. It's still Golden Try, but field goals, penalties etc count only at the end of the 10mins. That should be enough for the ref to blow the whistle and see a fairer game. Plus more teams chancing there hand at a try cause it will win them the game.
Stuart
Roar Rookie
Thanks for ending a dismal Manly season Des, it was painful to watch. I guess Trent gets another season, fair enough and just enough to survive. Pity Killer doesn't get a run in the finals but Manly have been terrible this year so Killer gets an easy end to a fabulous career. Next season year not expecting much better, will be happy with not getting the spoon, same as this year. 2018 there better be a top eight finish.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
His best spot is probably the bench as a reserve prop or lock, I don't mean that disparagingly, he was absolutely scary for the Kiwis there a little while ago -- lined up slightly tired players and just ran over them. But clubs don't pay international forward money for a bench player, even if that player can come on at the 20 and play until the 80.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You should have got the three Josh - so good you won the game twice...you should have got 6.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Brilliant - that's the best description of GP that I've read...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Because it is a lottery. If you get a pay rise at work, for example, for greater qualifications or whatever, it feels good. When you win the lottery, which has absolutely nothing to do with you other than being in it, you go through the roof. I think Golden Point is like that.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
The players seem to love it. They go bezerko every time they pop a golden field goal over, compared to if they scored the winning points in normal time. Why is that?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Big J on fire as always you numpty...did you watch the game...? So good he won it twice. The kick I was referring to, he was on his own 45 and drilled it into touch 10 metres out from the Manly line
The Barry
Roar Guru
If they reffed the game fair and square - and I'm not talking about tonight - it would be fine. But all of a sudden the game is reffed to different rules. I was watching thinking "Manly are all offside!!" But then realising "oh well we were all of the last set". It's dumb.
Widget
Roar Guru
I struggled with a best on ground tonight, so I gave it to him after a massive performance.
Widget
Roar Guru
You'd have to think something will change with Golden Point next season. Not too many fans of it left in the league.
Widget
Roar Guru
It will be interesting to see what changes are made to Golden Point or even if it is ditched next year and going forward. Not too many fans of it left after we have seen it on so many occasions this year.
Josh 'Habib' Reynolds
Roar Rookie
Gummon, show me some love.
Josh 'Habib' Reynolds
Roar Rookie
I scored the winning try Richard. 2192 Represent!