Defence is the buzz word for the Bulldogs as they begin a late season charge they will hope will land them an NRL finals spot.

Starting this weekend's round four points off eighth spot, the Bulldogs boosted their finals aspirations with a gritty 14-6 win over high-flying North Queensland on Friday.

The Bulldogs restricted the competition's leading pointscorers to just one try late in the game at ANZ Stadium.

"I thought defence won us the game and that was something that (interim coach) Jimmy (Dymock) and the coaching staff spoke about all week," said Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan.

Dymock made it clear the emphasis on defence was no one-game tactic.

"We've just been ripping them this week on defence and it's what the club is about and what the club's been built on and it's going to be no different to the end of the year," said Dymock.

Headlining the improved defensive effort was tough forward Frank Pritchard, who produced several enormous hits.

"Jim is trying to drill into us defence is going to win us games," Pritchard said.

"We've got nothing to lose at the moment. So if we just go in there positive and just working hard for each other things can happen."

The win earned the Bulldogs the Reconciliation Cup to go with the Bandaged Bear Cup they won against Parramatta in their only other victory in four games under Dymock.

"I wish we could play for trophies every week, anytime there's a trophy up for grabs, we seem to win 'em, so hopefully we can make up one next week!" Dymock joked.

At which point Dubbo product Ryan piped up "The Dubbo cup, maybe, in a few weeks."

Ryan said there was no extra emotion,for him after last Monday announcing he would retire at the end of the season.

"We're a footy team you don't need any extra motivation, you want to win games and you want to play for each other and that's how you win," Ryan said

However, Dymock revealed Ryan's announcement was one of a number of factors that galvanised his team going into the game.

Another one was the death a few days earlier of the older brother of winger Jonathon Wright.

"There was a lot to play for tonight, Bobcat (Ryan), Jono Wright and also our whole season was on the line," Dymock said.

"If we keep winning at least we've got our own destiny in our hands instead of relying on other teams winning and losing."

The Bulldogs final four fixtures include matches against current top eight teams Manly and Newcastle plus games against Cronulla and Canberra.

A potential concern for the Bulldogs is the placing on report of forwards Joel Romelo and Sam Kasiano, with both incidents involving the Cowboys' Tariq Sims.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP