“I’AM LEAVING” Raymond Faitala-Mariner has announced that he is leaving the Canterbury Bulldogs today due to……….Read More…..

There’s no question the feel good stories of the NRL at this point of the season are the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Two famous clubs who haven’t had a lot to celebrate in recent times yet find themselves entrenched in the top eight with ten rounds remaining until the finals.

You’ve got to admire the job coach Cameron Ciraldo has done with a Canterbury-Bankstown side who leaked a record number of points last season.

This year the Bulldogs sit second to Penrith in terms of points conceded with an average of 16.7 per game.

With the astute buys of Stephen Crichton, Bronson Xerri, Josh Curran and Jaemon Salmon the Bulldogs have been able to create a style of play to suit the club’s roster.

They’re also finding ways to win with a forward pack which is on the smaller side with the only real star of note being Viliame Kikau.

Given where St George Illawarra are currently sitting it’s incredible to think Shane Flanagan wasn’t simply an automatic first choice as the Red V new head coach.

It took Jason Ryles knocking the gig back for Flanagan to finally convince the Dragons he was the right man for the job with the decision now vindicated by St George Illawarrra posting eight wins and seven losses to date.

Last year the Dragons only managed five wins all season while the Bulldogs finished with seven victories and a points differential of minus 331.

Red V backrower Jadyn Su’a made a huge statement in terms of retaining his Queensland State of Origin jumper as the Dragons scrapped and clawed from a 6-2 halftime deficit to an impressive 26-6 win.