Sunday's NRL derby between two interim coaches looms as a perfect opportunity for either Canterbury or Wests Tigers to take a forward step in their next chapter.
While temporary Bulldogs boss Mick Potter had his first taste of success in Monday's incredible 34-4 shellacking of Parramatta, fill-in Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley is demanding a huge lift from his side after they copped a 30-4 hammering against Manly in his first game in charge.
The Tigers won't have the suspended Brett Naden nor the released Luciano Leilua who has headed to North Queensland, but they do get star Adam Doueihi back for the first time this season after doing his ACL last August.
Doueihi told media earlier this week he views himself as a long-term five-eighth, but Kimmorley said he'd back his return in the centres, named on the bench for Sunday's clash.
But he did add competition for spots, particularly in key positions, could bring the best out of his squad.
"Coming back from the second knee reconstruction, the long-term view from me and the club is that we want him to be a good player here for a long time," Kimmorley told reporters.
"We won't be rushing him, he won't be made to play big minutes, it'll be a planned return.
"I'll see what his movements are like over the next few weeks, see how many touches he gets.
"If we can get some consistency with players being able to play back-to-back games (we can) put some pressure on people in key positions ... if you feel like you're comfortable and you can't be replaced, you're not trying hard."
Kimmorley praised his side for how they came together after Michael Maguire's sacking before last weekend's game, but said there were no excuses for a similarly uncompetitive display this week.
"Much better clarity around attack, defence ... how we play, what we play and who the people are," he said.
"It was a massive week last week, I was proud of how the players in the club came together and got us through a pretty difficult time.
"There's effectively no excuses this week, we've prepared really well."
Forward Kurtis Morrin will get a debut for the Bulldogs, replacing Chris Patolo after he took a head knock in the win over the Eels.
The Bulldogs had lost five straight fefore Monday's win and are looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since rounds 22 and 23 in 2019.
