Rugby, Australian Football: Bulldogs - we won't step back

THE Bulldogs have vowed to meet fire with fire if the Roosters spark an early confrontation in Sunday's grand final.

In the best of grand final week traditions, Dogs players Braith Anasta and Willie Mason yesterday gave firm assurances to the Bondi Junction club a repeat of strong-arm tactics used against the Cowboys will not be tolerated.

A clash in the third minute of the preliminary final at Telstra Stadium, which saw Luke Ricketson charged with striking yesterday, saw fired-up Roosters swarm into a melee with the Cowboys.

Among many skirmishes, North Queensland halfback Nathan Fien ended up with loose teeth and fullback Matt Bowen was slugged by centre Justin Hodges.