The Bulldogs did enough on the weekend to put away a gallant Newcastle side to hand the Novocastrians their 14th straight defeat in 2016.
While there has been plenty of talk surrounding a number of other sides within the top eight, the Bulldogs 14-point win moved Des Hasler's men into the top four after the Cowboys went down to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.
THERE will be no love lost when they Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs clash with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium.
With four weeks until finals, the Bulldogs are in a perfect position to secure a home final, flying under the radar.
“We’ve worked pretty hard all season and that’s where we want to be,” Tolman said.
"A few results on the weekend fell in our favour and we now find ourselves in there.
“There’s still four rounds to go. Four big games for us and we know we want to be finishing there, because if you want to be there on the big day, then you need to finish in the top four.”
The Bulldogs have received unwanted criticism about their consistency and ability to put sides away, but this is not an issue within the walls of Belmore.
“That is fine by us. We don't really care what everybody writes about us.
"The media has their own agendas and for us we’re just going about our business.
"We are not playing our best footy yet but we find ourselves in the top four and that is where we want to stay."
The Bulldogs know themselves they’re not playing their best footy, but the challenge will come over the next four weeks as the side builds towards finals and an opportunity to cement a top four position.
“We’re playing some good footy, but I know we can play better and we need to make sure when we’re coming into finals that were ticking all the boxes and make sure were getting the best out of our next four weeks.
“The next four games are big for us, but it is one week at a time.
“We’ve got Manly this weekend who need to win every game to make the finals, so it’s going to be a big game.”
