The Bulldogs are determined to ensure record crowds become a regular occurrence as they prepare to play in front of more than 70,000 fans on Monday afternoon.
Canterbury set a record crowd for a regular season game when 65,305 spectators turned out to watch the side dominate South Sydney on Good Friday, with an even bigger attendance expected for the King's Birthday clash with the Eels.
Canterbury's rise throughout the past 18 months has seen the club emerge as a force both on and off the field, with the side sitting atop the NRL ladder and the average standings.
Monday's match will evoke memories of the 2009 preliminary final, when 74,549 crammed into Accor Stadium to watch Parramatta edge the Bulldogs and punch their place in the decider.
Bulldogs v Eels: Preliminary Final, 2009
Having snapped an eight-year finals drought last season, utility Bailey Hayward said the King's Birthday clash is the perfect dress rehearsal for September football.
"We've got the best fans in the game," Hayward said. "We're breaking records and it's amazing to see our supporters showing up and shutting down the streets of Belmore. You get goosebumps and chills running on, it's an unreal feeling that you can't describe.
"We got to taste [finals] last year and with our fans supporting us and getting big crowds this year it gets us a taste of what finals is going to be like because that's the atmosphere of what it's going to be like.
"The more we can do that and play week in, week out like that, it puts us in good stead for later in the year."
Match: Bulldogs v Eels
Round 14 -
home Team
Bulldogs
1st Position
away Team
Eels
16th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Bulldogs have attracted plenty of additional attention in the past fortnight after the recruitment of former Tiger Lachlan Galvin.
While there are external fears the playmaker may disrupt a settled side, the players are confident his arrival is a boost to their premiership pursuit.
The Eels went all-in on their pursuit of Galvin, however he ultimately opted to join Canterbury and will make his club debut on Monday afternoon against the side he spurned.
Hayward and teammate Blake Wilson took time out of their preparation last week to visit a Young Academics childcare centre in Harris Park.
The pair interacted with the children as part of a program that introduces young kids to the importance of mental health and provides age-appropriate knowledge of emotional wellbeing and resilience.
One hell of an entrance!
Hayward instantly connected with the youngsters and said his own childhood memories have highlighted the importance of interacting with young supporters.
"I know how much joy kids get from [meeting players] and I remember being a five or six-year-old in pre-school and primary school when people would come in, give back to the community and how much it meant to me.
"I know how much it means to the kids so whenever I get the chance to do it, I love to come out and do it."
Monday's clash will carry extra meaning for Canterbury fullback Connor Tracy, who is preparing to line up for his 100th NRL match.
The 28-year-old career was nearly over before it even began after he suffered three ACL ruptures in the space of three years from 2015.
Tracy was a highly touted Cronulla junior at the time and later left to make his NRL debut at the Rabbitohs in 2019. He returned to the Sharks in 2020 before joining the Bulldogs last year.
Connor Tracey Try
Since then he has made the No.1 jumper his own and Wilson said Monday's milestone is a testament to his teammate's commitment and perseverance.
"Everyone goes through their own adversity coming through and he's been through a bit more," Wilson said.
"He's a massive part of our attack. He gets through a lot of work in the backfield, like most outside backs. He's super important, he's the backbone of the team."
