Interim Canterbury coach Mick Potter says he wants to make his stay at the club a permanent one, even if he loses out to Cameron Ciraldo in the battle to get the top job.
Potter has been in charge of the Dogs on a temporary basis for the best part of two months and declared for the first time on Thursday he would be open to taking it on a full-time basis.
The Bulldogs have picked up just four wins this season - two of them coming under axed coach Trent Barrett - but Potter has Canterbury playing with freedom in attack.
Potter's public declaration comes the day after Ciraldo, who is currently an assistant coach at Penrith, was pictured meeting with Canterbury sponsors.
"It's a really tough one and I think I could take it on," Potter said of the head coaching vacancy.
"I think it would be a really good challenge.
"I know there are another couple of tough seasons to come for the Bulldogs but I think I could handle it.
"I think it would be a big challenge for me personally, but I'd be up for it."
After assuming the interim role, Potter, 58, had indicated he was only filling in for the club he served with distinction as a player for six years.
He had planned to step back to coaching at NSW Cup level once a replacement for Barrett had been found.
Despite Potter's late pitch for the role, Ciraldo is still expected to get the head coaching gig after he turned down the Wests Tigers role last month.
Potter, who has extensive experience coaching at the top level with Wests Tigers, Fiji, Catalans and St Helens, could also be the perfect sounding board for Ciraldo, 37, as he embarks on his first head coaching job.
"If I can play some part with the club going forward that's great," Potter said.
"But I know what they are after and I think he (Ciraldo) would be a good fit for the club.
"Going forward, I would love to stay involved in the club and do something in a football capacity.
"Whether it be (as an) assistant or something in the football department, I'll have a discussion later. I think I can do various roles."
Potter will be without fullback Jake Averillo for Sunday's game against the Gold Coast after he tested positive to COVID-19.
