Canterbury admit they remain wary of injury-hit Manly's extensive finals experience ahead of Saturday's do-or-die NRL semi-final.
The Sea Eagles' 10th successive finals campaign began in disastrous fashion last week when they were thumped 40-24 by South Sydney in Friday's qualifying final.
But the resurgent Bulldogs, who bounced back from a shock last round defeat to the Gold Coast to ambush Melbourne 28-4 in their elimination final on Sunday, know the tables could be turned at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Bulldogs British prop James Graham is expecting the toughest of battles, and he should be.
Since two-time Manly premiership winning coach Des Hasler left Brookvale in such acrimonious circumstances at the end of 2011 to move to Belmore, results between the sides are locked at 3-a-piece.
"We are under no illusions how good this team is," Graham said of the 2008 and 2011 premiers and 2007 and 2013 grand finalists.
"A week is a long time in sport. You look back they finished second they probably should have finished top. So we know how good these guys are.
"We are not reading too much into the performance from Friday night, we know how tough it is to beat them we have played them twice this year. This is a good side."
Manly prevailed 12-10 over the Dogs in Hasler's first game in charge of Canterbury against his old club in 2012 at ANZ Stadium in round eight, before Canterbury turned the tables in the return fixture at Brookvale in round 20, winning 20-12.
Manly again won 20-6 at ANZ Stadium in round five in 2013, before the Dogs bounced back at Brookvale in round 14, 32-30.
Earlier this year in round 13 at Brookvale, Manly were too good 32-10, before the Dogs returned the favour four rounds later at the Olympic venue 23-16.
"We have played them before when they were light on numbers, this is a team that is big on experience," Graham said.
"They have been there and done it in the big games.
"They know how to get the job done.
"They have an outstanding backline, the forwards are still strong with guys there like (Jason) King and (Brenton) Lawrence as good go-forward as any."
Manly will be without Glenn Stewart (ankle), Jamie Buhrer (knee), Anthony Watmough (suspension), with hooker Matt Ballin unlikely to make a shock return from a leg fracture.
Back-up rake Jayden Hodges is set to return from a neck injury in Ballin's place.
Share
