There was a spring in the step at Belmore.

Bulldogs skipper Steve Price, fresh from a successful night at the NRL judiciary, trained alongside his teammates with Sunday's semifinal in his mind rather than a grade one striking charge.

"We trained really, really well," Price said.

"I don't know whether that was because I would be playing."

Across town, things were looking up as well.

Sydney Roosters halfback Brett Finch had his grade two dangerous throw downgraded, clearing him to play in the preliminary final on Sunday week.

"It's the first and last time I want to be there," Finch told Sydney radio station 2UE.

"It was one of the most nerve-wracking things I have had to do and I don't want to experience (it) again."

There was no underselling the effect of Wednesday night's results on the respective sides, who remain the favourites to meet in the grand final.

Price is the Bulldogs' figurehead, the club's most dominant presence on and off the field.

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