Canterbury hooker Michael Ennis has hit back at critics of his creativity, and is adamant the Bulldogs can still make the NRL top eight.

Ennis produced a masterful dummy half display in Sunday's nail-biting 36-32 loss to the Sydney Roosters, scoring a try and creating two more.

It came less than two weeks after a barrage of criticism of the NSW No.9's discipline and flair in the Blues' crushing 3-0 State of Origin series loss.

"You blokes will write how non-creative I am at times but I had some opportunities yesterday and I took them," Ennis told reporters on Monday.

"It was pleasing, we did some damage through their ruck.

"It's just disappointing we didn't get the win in the end because we'd laid such a good foundation early and we defended our line so well in that tough period in the second half.

"Just to shut up shop with 10 minutes to go and let in two soft tries was disappointing."

Ennis is adamant the recent barbs were not responsible for stinging him into action in a Sunday afternoon classic at the Sydney Football Stadium.

"You're always going to have people criticise you but, in this sort of game and where we're at, you can't put your tail between your legs and sook and sulk," he said.

"It's just about getting back and playing well for the Dogs."

With 28 competition points generally considered the minimum needed to make the eight, Canterbury need to win six of their last seven games.

Ennis is certain the Dogs, who finished second last year, can still feature in September.

"Of course we can," he said.

"You've got to believe otherwise you put the white flag up.

"There's an opportunity for us and it's up to us guys to take it."

The Bulldogs believe they can continue their improved attacking display at ANZ Stadium on Friday when they meet the Jarryd Hayne-inspired Parramatta.

"We need to keep finding that energy and that zip every week to perform and if we can do that we're still in the hunt," Ennis said.

"If we can play the footy that we've played over the last four or five weeks then we're going to be in with a chance."

Brett Kimmorley said it was difficult to know whether Hayne could sustain his stellar form in a run to the finals similar to last year's.

"They are on a roll," he said of the Eels.

"Obviously the Hayne Train's going forward and how many stops it's got before it comes undone I don't know."

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