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Bulldogs feel benefit of ultimate restart in NRL finals run
Scott Bailey, AAP •  August 11th, 2026 3:09 pm
Bulldogs | Photo: AAP
Canterbury players believe the NRL's reduction in set restarts has played into their hands at the right time, as the Bulldogs brace for a make-or-break run into September.
Friday night's clash with South Sydney looms as season-defining for both clubs, given a Rabbitohs win would almost lock in the top eight and leave Canterbury needing a minor miracle.
Canterbury also meet St George Illawarra, Penrith and Brisbane in the final three rounds, and would likely also need to win at least two of those if they defeat Souths.
Data clearly shows this has been a season played in two halves, with a 15 per cent drop in set restarts since round 14.
The ninth-placed Bulldogs have been among the form teams of the competition since, holding a 6-2 record after winning just four of their opening 12 matches.
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Cronulla (7-2) have also turned their season with only the Sydney Roosters (8-1) having a better record than the Sharks and Canterbury since round 14.
Canterbury's revival can be put down to many factors, including the return of injured stars and Stephen Crichton's shift to five-eighth with Matt Burton at centre.
But players admit a game that is more similar to 2025, when Canterbury sat first for most of the season, has helped.
"We definitely struggled at the start of the season just because it was such a momentum-based game," Bulldogs prop Max King said.
"But it's really drawn back now and let the footy speak in the grind.
"I'm not putting the start of the season down to just that, though. We were off, and we were outenthused (sic).
"But it's definitely helped us, the grind and building the game, letting fatigue in ... The game has turned into a tussle."
While Canterbury and Cronulla have turned their season around, Manly headline a list of teams to have plummeted in that time.
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The Sea Eagles sat fifth at the end of round 13, but have gone 2-6 in the past 10 weeks.
Ladder leaders Penrith have also dipped after their dominant start, albeit with the slip coming in a period where they have been without key players.
Bulldogs forwards believe a more mobile pack is part of the reason they have benefited, while lower-scoring games have brought their defence to the fore.
"Our defence is what held us together all of last year and we finished in the top three," veteran lock Kurt Mann said.
"And the game has gone back similar to last year.
"We're a smaller, more mobile pack and when the game flows we get our advantage at the back end there."
If the Bulldogs do recover to play finals, they will enter with one of the best records of all teams over the second half of the season.
"We have the confidence to go toe-to-toe with anyone there, but there's a big mission to get to the semi-finals," King said.
"If we start talking about semi-finals now, it's a waste of time."
