Are Dogs playing a dirty trick?

As NRL Grand Final days go, the 2014 edition appears to be as good as it gets - fine and sunny in Sydney and barely an empty seat in the house at ANZ Stadium for the decider.

Greg Inglis is a key man for the Rabbitohs. Source: News Corp Australia

FOLLOW our live coverage of the 2014 NRL grand final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for blow-by-blow game coverage. Kick-off is 7.20pm EDT.

6pm — WILL ENNIS PLAY OR WON'T HE?

THE conspiracy theorists are out in force as the countdown continues towards tonight's NRL grand final, with rumours circling that influential hooker Mick Ennis will indeed take the field.

Ennis, who was yesterday ruled out with a foot injury, was seen at ANZ Stadium in a moon boot today.

But AAP reported that people with inside knowledge of Bulldogs coach Des Hasler's workings have said Ennis could yet make a "miracle recovery".

The rumours were also fuelled by a tweet from the official Bulldogs account, which read: "The locker for injured skipper Michael Ennis is all set and ready #unleash #NRLGF."

Channel 9 personality and former NRL star Beau Ryan also fuelled the rumours, tweeting yesterday: "I just walked past Belmore and saw Michael Ennis doing sprints. He spotted me and started limping #WhoLetTheDogsOut."

Just before 6pm this evening — little over an hour before kick-off — Channel 9 showed footage of Ennis in the locker rooms still on crutches, suggesting he will not play.

Will Mick Ennis play or won't he? Source: News Corp Australia

4.55pm — JOEY JOHNS: 'I CAN'T SEE SOUTHS GETTING BEATEN'

SOUTHS are hot favourites to finally end their 43-year premiership drought against an injury-hit Canterbury side.

As well as the probable absence of Mick Ennis, halfback Trent Hodkinson will take a knee injury into the game. Rabbitohs back-up rake Apisai Koroisau will take the place of suspended hooker Issac Luke.

Most pundits don't give the Dogs much of a chance to beat the rampant Rabbitohs.

"I just can't see Souths getting beaten," rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns told the Channel Nine Footy Show.

Andrew Johns is tipping the Bunnies. Source: News Limited

4.45pm — YANKEE TIPS DOGS TO 'WIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP'

AMERICAN Bulldogs fan Bill Mullin flew in from New York on Friday — just for the weekend — to attend his first ever rugby league match, watching the Bulldogs taking on South Sydney in the grand final.

While Bill's knowledge of the Dog's history might not be up to scratch, his commitment can't be faulted.

He has never seen an rugby league match live but Bill Mullin of New York has made his first trip to Australia to see his beloved Bulldogs in the flesh for Sunday's Grand Final, all in the name of charity.

4.30pm — HOTTEST GRAND FINAL DAY ON RECORD

THE players will be thankful this is a night grand final.

The mercury has soared to 33.9 degrees in Sydney ahead of tonight's Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs decider, setting a record for the highest temperature on grand final day in rugby league history, according to Fairfax.

But by the time the match kicks off at 7.20pm EDT, the temperature is tipped to drop to a more tolerable 24 degrees.

The hottest temperature recorded during actual game time in the past 50 years is believed to be 32 degrees in the 1987 grand final between the Manly Sea Eagles and Canberra Raiders.

The previous record for highest temperature on grand final day was 33.4 degrees, set last year.

Rabbitohs fans get in the spirit. Source: News Corp Australia

4.15pm — WHAT IS THE GREATEST GRAND FINAL PERFORMANCE IN HISTORY?

TO GET you in the mood for tonight's big dance, check out the list of the top eight grand final performances in NRL history, courtesy of Big League magazine.

How will tonight's Clive Churchill Medal-winner match up against the greats?

FULL STORY: Greatest NRL grand final performances

Andrew Johns features prominently in the list of greatest NRL Grand Final performances. Source: News Corp Australia

4pm — WARRIORS WIN UNDER-20s GRAND FINAL

THE Warriors repelled a dramatic Brisbane fightback to win the Holden Cup under-20s rugby league grand final 34-32 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

On the back of three first-half tries to Solomone Kata, the Warriors raced to a 34-6 lead after 53 minutes before the Broncos scored 26 unanswered points in draining Sydney heat.

Jayden Nikorima scored for the Broncos with two minutes to go but pushed the conversion wide to give the Warriors the win.

The Warriors scored two tries in two minutes last weekend against Parramatta to qualify for the decider. — AAP

The Warriors repelled a dramatic Brisbane fightback to win the Holden Cup under-20s rugby league grand final 34-32 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

The Warriors celebrate winning the 2014 under-20s Holden Cup grand final against the Brisbane Broncos. Source: Getty Images