They've beaten the Sydney Roosters twice this season, but Steve Folkes expects his Bulldogs to be overwhelming underdogs when the pre-season premiership favourites meet in Saturday night's National Rugby League preliminary final.

The 'Dogs booked their place in the grand final qualifier, beating the Melbourne Storm 30-0 at Aussie Stadium.

At the same time, the Roosters were busy on the training paddock getting a head start on their opposition.

The two sides were the pre-season pundits' pick to play in this year's grand final but only one will get there, where the winner will face the victor of the Penrith-New Zealand Warriors game at Telstra Stadium on Sunday.

The sides have already met two times this season, with an 80th minute Matt Utai try the only thing separating the combatants after a titanic struggle in round nine when both were at full strength.

But that victory and the one which followed in round 13 will be pushed into the background come Saturday night.

"It doesn't get you points on the board and it doesn't get you across the line during that game but ... we're not going to be shrinking violets come next Saturday night," Folkes said.

"They're probably the equal of (last year). Obviously they have had a couple of injuries and guys coming back but the guys who have taken those spots have been pretty good.

"I would expect we go in fairly overwhelming underdogs but ... that's no big deal.

"We'll have another week that's fairly laid back and relaxed and I'm sure we'll come out and play well next week against the Roosters and we'll need to go up a couple of notches from that today."

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