NRL Anticipates big Turnout for
Knights - Bulldogs Clash.

Large number of Bulldogs fans are expected to make the trip up the freeway to EnergyAustralia Stadium this Sunday for what is expected to the toughest battle yet in the Bulldogs extraordinary winning streak.

Ticketek reports that yesterday over 1,000 tickets were sold to fans in Sydney.

Overall, pre-sales for the game are rivalling the Knights v Sharks game in Round 6 which sold out two hours before the game. Plenty of tickets are still available for this game and Knights officials are urging fans who are travelling from Sydney to ensure their place at the game by buying their tickets early. The Bulldogs this Sunday are attempting to win their sixteenth consecutive game making it the second longest winning streak in Telstra Premiership history. A win by the Knights on Sunday will almost guarantee a home final for the Knights in the first week of the Telstra Premiership Final Series in September.

After fifteen wins, optimism amongst Bulldogs fans is sky high with Bulldogs fans also picking up about 100 tickets yesterday for their Round 23 meeting with the Parramatta Eels at Sydney Showground. This same game was sold out in 2001 with 21,895 fans attending the Showground game.

Most Clubs in recent weeks have reported strong walk up sales. The Bulldogs had to put back kick-off last Friday night due to the walk up and the Northern Eagles reporting over 8,000 fans purchasing tickets in the ninety minutes before kick-off. A similar story was also reported at Aussie Stadium for the Souths v Dragons game.

NRL Chief Executive David Gallop has encouraged fans attending this weekend's games to pre-purchase tickets or arrive early and see a First Division game.

"We've seen some great crowds in recent weeks and the interest, particularly at games in Sydney, has been fantastic".

"There was always going to be an increase in interest once the representative season ended, but the feedback we have received from clubs has been huge".

"Interest is only going to grow as we approach the Telstra Premiership Final Series and I encourage fans to either pre-pay for their tickets or get to the game early".

This weekend's round of the Telstra Premiership includes five Premiership games in Sydney with Round 20 kicking off on Friday night when the Eels face the Broncos at Parramatta Stadium.