The NRL is set to investigate whether a Bulldogs player threw a bottle in the direction of departing Rabbitohs prop Nathan Brown while he lined up a last-minute conversion which could further mar Canterbury's late season slide.

Bulldogs skipper James Graham was placed on report for lashing out at his English teammate and longtime adversary Sam Burgess in retaliation for an apparent prowler tackle as Canterbury's late-season spiral continued on Friday night.

Manly have bolstered their pack with the signing of Warriors forward Shaun Lane on a two-year deal.

David Klemmer knows exactly when and who were the last team won the competition from outside the top four, and his Canterbury teammates insist they have the roster to end the 21-year drought since the club achieved the feat in 1995.

It is only considered an outside chance, but the NRL could revive the concept of a finals doubleheader which has western Sydney rivals the Bulldogs and Panthers on a collision course to meet in the city's east.

Alarming statistics show exactly why Canterbury's season is falling to pieces.

The Panthers will lobby the NRL to play its first finals match on a Sunday in order to be given adequate rest after wrapping up the regular season, in a move which could create scheduling havoc for potential finals opponents the Bulldogs.

It was supposed to be all about the Bulldogs, but former Canterbury half Johnathan Thurston once again had the Belmore fans ruing the club's decision to let him leave in 2004.

The North Queensland Cowboys are back on track to defend their NRL premiership after beating Canterbury, who have slipped out of the top four.

Josh Reynolds will run out at Belmore with emotions vastly different to what they used to be.

Retiring Canterbury winger Sam Perrett has a fight on his hands to get back on the NRL field before he hangs up his boots at season's end.

The Bulldogs have gone to extra lengths to ensure their second and last match at Belmore for the year is not marred by the ugly scenes which plagued their first.

The Bulldogs won't roll the dice and fight a two-game ban dished out to enforcer Sam Kasiano for kicking Broncos veteran Corey Parker in the head, despite teammates arguing his innocence on Monday.

Sam Kasiano's suspension for kneeing the head of Isaac Luke during last year's "Bad Friday" clash threatens to rub the Bulldogs brute out of the first week of the finals should Canterbury fight his controversial kicking out at Corey Parker at the NRL judiciary.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett said whether Kasiano's kick was deliberate or not, it certainly caused concern in the Broncos' camp.

It's not quite the "lifetime agreement" in the Jarryd Hayne mould, but soon-to-be-departing Curtis Rona has pledged any NRL return will be with the Bulldogs.

The usual cut-off point for the final eight, 28 points, might not be enough to make the playoffs in 201

Tony Williams has asked his critics to understand what it's like to "walk in his shoes" as the man resigned to leaving the Bulldogs hopes a grand final appearance will help throw him an NRL lifeline.

The likelihood of Will Hopoate having to make a decision on whether to play in an NRL grand final is increasing as the Bulldogs firm as a top four prospect. But he won't receive any pressure from his Canterbury teammates.