Canterbury coach Des Hasler isn’t entertaining any talk of “benchmark” NRL sides ahead of the Bulldogs’ clash with premiership front-runners Manly on Friday night.

The premiership-winning mentor has single-handedly introduced the term into the rugby league vernacular in recent years in an attempt to allow his sides to fly under the radar.

The Sea Eagles knocked over premiers the Sydney Roosters in a highly impressive display at Brookvale Oval last start that pushed last year’s losing grand finalists to the outright competition lead.

But Hasler, a two-time Manly title winner believes his former side hasn’t achieved title favouritism yet.

“Two weeks ago, (the media) were saying the Roosters were the team to beat so …,” Hasler said on Tuesday.

“Until you get through this last Origin game and everything starts falling into place, it is pretty hard to predict at the moment.

“But certainly (Manly) are up for the top four.

“It is difficult going into this game with a bit of disruption with our side.

“Manly have class on their edges, it is probably about minimising their opportunities, so we have to do that.

“We have to be pretty disciplined with the ball and make the most of our possession.”

Bulldogs prop James Graham said all but a handful of sides could win the competition this year.

“There is probably 10-12 teams all with a chance not just of making the eight but of winning the thing as well,” he said.

“We have a block of 10 games without a break before the business end and it is a cliche but it is true, it is a whole new comp come September.”