Canterbury second-rower Josh Jackson says the side have reclaimed their NRL heavyweight status with the finals just around the corner.

Before last week, the Bulldogs had been lacklustre in big clashes, with two wins from nine matches against top-eight teams, however they turned that around with an 18-16 defeat of ladder leaders Brisbane.

Jackson said the side had overcome a mental hurdle with their defeat of the Broncos which had them well poised with four regular rounds to play.