 The Grand Final was a low-scoring affair, with the Bulldogs defeating Parramatta 6–4.The Eels finished fourth in 1985 and, with defeats of Penrith and Balmain in the final series, progressed to the Preliminary Final against Canterbury-Bankstown with a chance to qualify for a fifth straight Grand Final.However, Parramatta were defeated 26–0 and Canterbury-Bankstown would go on to win the Grand Final.