Bulldogs fans issue defiant message amid eight-year first for NRL finals clash with Manly
Support for the Bulldogs will be loud and proud for the finals showdown against Manly.
They're unapologetically loud, proud and in your face – and if you don’t like it, take up knitting. That's the message from the Bulldogs Army as it prepares to mobilise and head to Accor Stadium in huge numbers for Canterbury's NRL elimination final against Manly on Sunday.
Accor Stadium officials are expecting a crowd of at least 52,000, with around 70-80 per cent behind the Dogs for the club's first appearance in the play-offs since 2016. Their side may be limping into finals on the back of two thrashings and the dramatic loss of star winger Josh Addo-Carr, but the Bulldogs Army won’t hear of defeat.
The blue and white face of the Bulldogs Army – the kilt-wearing, Braveheart-inspired fan known as Brave Dog - has no doubt he and his fellow supporters can help lift their team over the line and into the second week of the finals. He told Yahoo Sport Australia: "I can feel the buzz in the air for this Sunday.
"We’ve been waiting a long time for finals football, and now it’s here - it’s going to be wild, intense, and absolutely thrilling. We’re not just fans, we’re a force. We are loud and we are proud."
Bulldogs supporters issue message for Manly fans
And should Sea Eagles fans have a problem with that unbridled passion, Brave Dog (real name Alfio Stuto) has a message for them. "If Manly fans think that’s intimidating, maybe knitting is more their style," he said.
"This isn’t just any club - we’re a family that thrives on deep connections and unbreakable bonds. We come from every corner, every walk of life, united by our passion. As Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton recently said, ‘It’s no secret in sports psychology and performance studies that crowd noise can have a powerful impact on how teams perform'.
"I have no doubt that Bulldogs fans, especially the Army, will be a driving force behind firing up the lads. Let's go Bulldogs." Warburton this week issued an open letter to fans, thanking them for getting behind Cameron Ciraldo and his team.
"The Bulldogs have always been more than just a club; we're a family that welcomes everyone," he wrote. "Our strength lies in our diversity, and we're committed to making every fan feel valued and respected.
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"As we look forward to our first finals match since 2016 against Manly at Accor Stadium on Sunday, we celebrate the unity and passion that make our club truly special. To all our fans: thank you for your unwavering support. Together, we are the Bulldogs family."
