The shame of what he forced his family to endure amid allegations of domestic violence almost tormented Ben Barba to the point of no return.

NRL referees boss Tony Archer has conceded his whistleblowers blundered in not referring the controversial Josh Morris no-call to the multi-million dollar Bunker in the Bulldogs' season-ending loss to the Panthers on Sunday.

Cronulla are in advanced negotiations to bring Canterbury forward Tony Williams to the club next season.

Canterbury, as their record attests, are September specialists. They can meander through the final rounds of the regular season, knowing they had already done enough to make the eight, and then flick the switch when it matters.

Tim Browne knows "something special" is building at the foot of the Blue Mountains – he just hopes the Panthers' revolution is not quite ready to hit top gear just yet.

Brett Morris' stunning debut season at fullback last year has him ready for his return to the custodian role in place of Will Hopoate, according to Canterbury coach Des Hasler.

Josh Reynolds concedes that, on occasion, he lets his passion get the better of him. Which is why he's no longer upset when fans do likewise and lay the blame for Canterbury's spluttering attack at his feet.

Josh Morris has heard all the critics who reckon the Bulldogs are done. He has a simple message for them.

The Bulldogs have lost three matches in a row to qualify seventh and must defeat the Panthers without the services of fullback Will Hopoate, who will missing for religious reasons.

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The Bulldogs fullback will miss Sunday's sudden-death match against the Panthers in the first week of the NRL finals.

The fullback is unavailable for the sudden-death match against Penrith due to his religious beliefs.

There were fears Graham would be charged for kicking out at countryman Sam Burgess, while Klemmer faced a nervous wait after appearing to throw a bottle.

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.