The wooden spoon race appears to be a battle between three teams after Canterbury lifted themselves further away from the bottom of the table and gave a bright glimpse of their future.
After one of the most difficult years in the club's recent history, the Bulldogs are now four points clear of last-placed Parramatta and two ahead of both Manly and North Queensland - the three of whom have a game in hand.
Thursday's 36-22 win over Brisbane was easily the Bulldogs' best performance of the year, even with star forward David Klemmer suspended and just months after releasing Moses Mbye and Aaron Woods.
Lachlan Lewis continued to come of age at five-eighth, despite finding out just two hours before the match that halves partner Jeremy Marshall-King would be out with tonsillitis.
Winger Reimis Smith was also impressive, breaking the line twice in the lead up to four-pointers for teammates while forward Rhyse Martin continues to be a contender for NRL rookie of the year.
"We're giving some young boys some opportunity and they're taking it," coach Dean Pay said.
"That's where we are as a club. We just keep building with these young boys and we keep getting better with our performances.
"They're getting some confidence out of each and every performance they put in. We're delighted with the result."
Pay was also full of praise for captain Josh Jackson who scored a try in the win, as the Bulldogs claimed back-to-back victories for the first time this year.
"He plays some fantastic tough footy each and every week for me," Pay said.
"He keeps turning up. He keeps leading for me and they keep firing. His football is starting to go to another level with his passing game.
"He's got more footy in him than just running some good lines ... He's a footballer."
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