The Bulldogs are one win away from a grand final berth after coming from behind to beat Newcastle 26-12 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
The home side booked a preliminary final and week off with the four-tries-to-two win, which eliminated the Knights from the finals and kept Manly's hopes alive for another day at least.
The Bulldogs showed they could get the job done without injured halfback Brett Kimmorley, but will no doubt welcome the week off, with the veteran playmaker some chance of returning in a fortnight in what would no doubt be a massive boost to the blue and whites' premiership hopes.
In the other game Brisbane held on to beat the Gold Coast 40-32.
