With three rounds remaining, alarm bells are ringing at the Bulldogs.
They have dropped two of their past three games and were battered from pillar to post by the Roosters on Friday night in the 32-12 drubbing.
The manner in which the Roosters rolled right through them has cast plenty of doubt over Canterbury’s ability to get the job done in September.
They are all but certain to finish in the top four but their credentials are looking shaky and they need to get their campaign back on track next Friday in the toughest of all NRL destinations – a trip to AAMI Park to face the Storm.
The team that whipped them, the Roosters, are trending upwards in a big way.
Although they’ve probably left their run a little too late, they could do some damage in the playoffs.
Here’s how the teams stack up after Round 24.
1. Raiders (Last week 1): Had the bye, which gave them plenty of time to gear up for their Mudgee showdown next Friday with the Panthers.
Somehow, despite being played on neutral turf, the Raiders are the outsiders with the bookmakers.
2. Storm (2): The next time anyone complains about being without a key player, remind them that since reigning Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes dislocated his shoulder, Melbourne have rallied to beat the Roosters and then peeled off wins over a committed Eels side, the Broncos and premiers Penrith.
Joe Chan celebrates scoring a try with Harry Grant. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
3. Panthers (3): They suffered their first loss in 10 outings last Thursday against the Storm.
And if not for Moses Leota being in the wrong place at the wrong time, they probably would have made it 10 on the trot. But after they conceded five tries and scored just three, the better side definitely won on the night.
4. Roosters (5): They thumped the Bulldogs by 20 a week after putting 64 on the Dolphins.
Every season has a big what-if, and this year’s one revolved around the Roosters and Sam Walker’s injury – if he had been fit all season, they would be in the top four.
5. Bulldogs (4): Cameron Ceraldo is getting hot around the collar after two losses in three weeks.
They were manhandled by a bigger, more aggressive Roosters pack on Friday night. And that appears to be the blueprint for taking the Dogs down as we reach the business end of the season.
Max King is tackled. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
6. Broncos (5): With Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo watching on from the grandstand, it did not look good for Michael Maguire’s team when they conceded 14 points within the first 10 minutes of the second half to go down 28-14 to the Dolphins.
After one of his usual rocks (kicking the ball out on the full from a kick-off), Reece Walsh then delivered a few diamonds in the form of try assists and a booming 40-20 kick.
If he ever becomes the complete player, Brisbane will be genuine premiership contenders.
7. Sharks (7): Yes, they scored 54 points, but they did concede 22 and they were playing at home against the Titans, so they stay seventh on the rankings.
8. Warriors (10): They get a couple of bumps up after getting the better of the Dragons.
But in the fair dinkum department, they were lucky that St George Illawarra lost three players in the first half to concussions and ran out of gas in the dying stages, otherwise the Warriors would have continued sliding down the ladder.
9. Tigers (11): That’s two impressive wins on the truck. First over the Bulldogs before the bye and now over Manly.
They have absorbed the body blows of Lachie Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva departing mid-season and with Adam Doueihi in career-best form at halfback, they are finishing the season with a wet sail.
Terrell May charges forward. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
10. Dolphins (8): Unfortunately for them, they are sinking like a stone.
They looked to be bouncing back from their Roosters shellacking when they surged to a 14-point lead against the Broncos with half an hour on the clock but their defence was again found wanting and they are now on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.
11. Eels (9): They have done well to be competitive throughout most of the season, but they are starting to show signs of wear and tear in the past couple of weeks.
They never really got going against South Sydney on Saturday night, but these growing pains are to be expected with a young squad.
12. Dragons (12): They woulda, shoulda, coulda beat the Warriors in Auckland. But they didna.
And although Shane Flanagan blew up about the obstruction call, which went against them, the Bunker got it right by denying their claims for a penalty under the interpretations that have been in vogue all season.
Corey Allan is tackled by Jackson Ford. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
13. Rabbitohs (15): Just when it looked like Wayne Bennett would be getting his first wooden spoon, the Bunnies have bounced back with an unconvincing win over the Titans and then a solid takedown of Parramatta.
14. Sea Eagles (13): When they beat the Storm a month ago, Manly fans started to fool themselves into thinking their team was playoff bound.
But four straight losses has shown that the Storm upset was the exception to the rule in what has been a lacklustre season all round at Brookvale.
15. Cowboys (17): George Costanza wished that there were “pig men” running around New York because he would look good in comparison to these genetic freaks.
That is the Cowboys right now – they can hang their hat on not being as bad as the Knights and Titans, who are a collective show about nothing.
16. Knights (14): They may as well give a few more young players a run in the final few rounds.
Rookie fullback Connor Votano looks to have something about him and he will be better for the run in 2026 after getting some game time ahead of schedule due to Newcastle’s injuries.
17. Titans (16): It does not look good for Gold Coast’s hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon.
They were putrid against Cronulla and the final curtain looks set to be drawn on Des Hasler’s coaching career.