A series of events including the AFL finals, a rugby Test and the demands of rival NRL clubs has conspired against Canterbury and left them with an elimination clash against Penrith on Sunday, meaning they will be without fullback Will Hopoate for religious reasons.
The draw for the first week of the NRL finals was confirmed on Sunday night, with fifth-placed Brisbane to host Gold Coast (eight) on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium, Canberra (second) playing Cronulla (third) at GIO Stadium on Saturday, Melbourne (first) hosting North Queensland (fourth) at AAMI Park on Saturday night, and the Panthers and Bulldogs closing out the round on Sunday.
![Downward spiral: James Graham is placed on report during the Bulldogs' loss to South Sydney.](/web/20160905042429im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/8/4/3/e/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gr8jkd.png/1472990615354.jpg)
The consequences for Canterbury, who have lost their past three games, of how the draw has fallen is they will not have one of their most consistent players all year in the line-up.
When Hopoate signed for the club in the off-season he did so with a clause that made him unavailable for games on Sundays to due to his Mormon faith. He missed a handful of matches throughout the season for that reason and won't be changing his stance despite the importance of Sunday's playoff.
![Special exception: William Hopoate is unavailable for games on Sundays to due to his Mormon faith.](/web/20160905042429im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/2/0/k/w/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gr8jkd.png/1472990615354.jpg)
The only match he may reconsider it for is the grand final, if Canterbury can make it. "We knew that was the deal," Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle said. "We knew that he wouldn't be playing on Sundays and if we were able to make the grand final we would discuss it at that stage. We had a long negotiation with Will and we were very open and clear with each other. We believed in getting to the position there were benefits for both parties."
It is understood the benefit for the Bulldogs in the deal was financial, acquiring Hopoate for less than they otherwise might have.
Des Hasler's team had hoped to avoid a Sunday scheduling in week one of the finals but were thwarted by a range of factors. Among them was a request by the Storm to avoid a Friday night home final because of a desire not to clash with the blockbuster AFL qualifying final between Geelong and Hawthorn at the MCG.
The Broncos' meeting with the Titans was therefore shifted to Friday – it could not be held on Saturday due to the Wallabies' Test against South Africa in Brisbane – and the Panthers' request for a fair turnaround after ending the regular season against Manly on Sunday night also ruled the Bulldogs out of a Friday final.
The Canberra and Cronulla final, meanwhile, wasn't a candidate for Sunday, like Melbourne-North Cowboys, because as top four teams they are rewarded with a longer turnaround before the second week of finals.
The Bulldogs will also be without Sam Perrett next Sunday as he continues to battle a neck injury. The New Zealand international hasn't played since round 23 due to a virus that is affecting the nerves in his neck.
The retiring Bulldogs outside back told Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show he will miss the sudden-death clash with Penrith. "Things are on the up but I won't be playing this week. Hopefully the boys can hold on until the week after," he said.
Canterbury will welcome back interchange forward Sam Kasiano from suspension next week and James Graham is free to line up after being cleared of a kicking charge.
"The guys need to get a bit more fun, enjoyment and passion in what we are doing," Perrett said.
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