The pain was obvious on Frank Pritchard's face as he came to grips with the realisation he might have been involved in the moment which cost Canterbury a shot at the NRL top eight.

Pritchard is adamant he did nothing wrong when penalised and put on report for coming down with his forearm on the head of Sydney Roosters forward Jason Ryles when the Bulldogs were leading 24-22 with less than a quarter to go at the SFS on Saturday night.

A Canterbury scrum feed was ordered for a Ryles knock-on but the video ref overruled the on-field officials and sent the message down that Pritchard had made illegal contact.

The star second-rower, who minutes earlier set up the try which got the Bulldogs back in front, said he was simply completing the tackle and didn't strike Ryles.

From the moment they squared the ledger, the Roosters rallied and went on to win 32-28.

"I don't know, I don't know. I thought he was falling back, I thought it was a legit tackle but obviously the ref has seen something different," said Pritchard, who even checked in on Ryles in the opposition dressing sheds after the match.

"I went and saw him after the game to check if he was alright. He seemed alright but I don't know what to think.

"I didn't think there was too much in it. I was just falling with him.

"It was 24-22 and the penalty put them right back in the game, the game was in the balance. I don't know what to think."

Canterbury's finals chances aren't over yet, however having Pritchard and fellow strike player Jamal Idris on report doesn't make life any easier.

Pritchard said he's confident the NRL's match review committee will agree with him.

"To me, I didn't see nothing wrong with it. I'm not going to bother too much with it," he said.

"I've got a clean record so hopefully (I will be okay)."

The New Zealand international said the Bulldogs couldn't rely on moments of magic from star players and must base their game on defence if they're to make the playoffs.

"It shouldn't have to come off individual brilliance. We're trying to build our game off good defence," he said.

"We've got to win games on the back of defence. Ben Roberts (corked leg) and Aiden Tolman (shoulder) came off the field against the Roosters, but both are expected to be right to tackle North Queensland on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.

The Bulldogs have Newcastle and Penrith in front of them in their quest to make the cut.

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