Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo has told his players to embrace the hype around the Bulldogs, adamant it won't become an issue ahead of the NRL finals.
The Bulldogs have quickly become the fairytale story of 2024, having officially wrapped up their first finals appearance in eight years.
Street parties have become a constant in Belmore after wins in recent weeks, including after victories in Bundaberg and Auckland.
A crowd of close to 27,000 is expected at Accor Stadium for their blockbuster against Manly this week, which would double as the highest-ever NRL attendance for a Friday 6pm game outside of Magic Round.
But while clubs regularly try to avoid such hype, Ciraldo has told his players to take it in, with the advantage of 10 men in their first-choice 17 who have played finals before.
"It's good for us to realise we're inspiring people with the way we're playing and style of footy we're playing," Ciraldo said.
"Our boys really thrive on that, hopefully it grows over the next few weeks.
"It's because our purpose has been really clear about why we want to play finals and get this club back to where it belongs.
"It's not a (weight of) expectation to us, it's something we really value, it's really unique to our club. We'll continue to enjoy that."
A win against the Sea Eagles would be enough for the Bulldogs to wrap up a home final, unless they rise even further up the ladder and claim a top-four finish.
But despite being unbeaten in home matches at Accor Stadium this year, Ciraldo insisted a top-six finish was not make or break for the Bulldogs.
"It would be nice, but I think we have shown over the past six weeks that we are capable of playing anyone anywhere and at any time," Ciraldo said.
"There was a lot of talk about our away record at the start of the season that I wasn't too concerned about, because we were doing a lot of things really well.
"We've proved to ourselves and everyone that we can play away from home and do a great job."
Canterbury will get Josh Curran back from a shouder injury for Friday, countering Kurt Mann's season-ending collarbone surgery.
Captain Stephen Crichton has accepted a one-game ban for his high tackle on the Warriors' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
But Ciraldo pointed to two of the Bulldogs' best wins this year against Brisbane and Newcastle as proof his club could perform without their biggest-name player.
"That's what we've done well as a club, that next-man-up mentality," Ciraldo said.
"I've got no doubt the boys will come in and do that this week.
"He (Crichton) is going to be able to work on himself in the next week and a half and get himself ready for the (final-round) Cowboys game. It'll benefit him in the long run."
