The Canberra Raiders aren't surprised assistant Dean Pay has emerged as a Bulldogs coaching candidate.

Canberra's Josh Papalii has been ruled out of the Kangaroos' Four Nations campaign.

"We should not look back," Des Hasler said at Canterbury's season launch back in February, "Unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience."

Outspoken Canterbury sponsor Gary Johnston believes it would be "insane" to sack Des Hasler, but his support is unlikely to prevent the club from parting ways with the two-time premiership-winning coach by the end of the week.

Canterbury legend and director Steve Mortimer fears the Bulldogs are "losing our DNA" under Des Hasler ahead of a critical meeting that could determine the coach's future at the club.

There are some strange things going on at Belmore and it might not be the place where finals specialist Des Hasler should be plying his trade.

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.