The Bulldogs version of the Kiama Kid was enjoying Mad Monday after their disappointing season ended on a high with a stunning upset of Manly.

The final-round performance of Josh and his team-mates means Brett's Dragons are preparing to euthanase a Manly season on life support instead of facing Canberra in Sunday's qualifying final at Kogarah.

At the NRL finals captains gathering at the Sydney Football Stadium yesterday, St George Illawarra captain Ben Hornby diplomatically stated the Dragons had to be prepared to beat any team still in the title race if he is to lift the NRL trophy on October 3.

But Hornby later went on record, declaring the Raiders are the team to beat.

"Canberra's the biggest challenge at the moment," he said.

"They've won seven of their last eight - they're playing the best footy at the moment."

The winning streak includes a thumping 32-16 victory over the Dragons at Canberra Stadium, their 11th in the past 12 games head-to-head.

Canberra would have finished eighth if Manly had beaten the Dogs, but they will now travel to Penrith's CUA Stadium to tackle the Panthers on Saturday night.

Raiders captain Alan Tongue returned Hornby's compliment, claiming the Dragons were the team everyone would need to overcome in the next four weeks.

If St George Illawarra win on Sunday, they could meet Canberra in a preliminary final.

If the Dragons lose to Manly's walking wounded, they will be travelling to Canberra Stadium - a venue they haven't won at in a decade - provided the fast-finishing Raiders beat Penrith.

"All year they've shown their consistency right across the board," Tongue said of the Dragons.

"From one to 17 they are playing such great footy."

Tongue denied the Raiders would have preferred to take on the minor premiers rather than Penrith.