Just three rounds into the season and the Rabbitohs find themselves at a crossroads as they head into the traditional Good Friday clash against an improving Bulldogs outfit.
Losses to the Sea Eagles, Broncos and Roosters have Souths in unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the ladder and coach Jason Demetriou is feeling the heat as he looks to guide them out of the slump.
With big guns Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker failing to fire, the Rabbitohs were picked apart by the Roosters last Friday, coming up with 15 errors and 36 missed tackles on their way to a 48-6 defeat.
In stark contrast the Bulldogs found their mojo in a 32-0 demolition of the Titans as Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney and Jacob Kiraz produced standout performances.
With his new-look side starting to gel, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo will be confident of springing an upset in front of a bumper crowd at Accor Stadium and avenging a 50-16 defeat in the corresponding game last year.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Team News
Rabbitohs: No changes on game day with Lachlan Ilias 18th man. Damien Cook is back at hooker and set for big minutes with Siliva Havili left out. Sean Keppie was the other player to make way with Michael Chee Kam and Shaquai Mitchell joining the 17 Cameron Murray (knee) is right to go after picking up a knock earlier in the week.
Bulldogs: Josh Addo-Carr has been called up an hour before kick-off with Blake Wilson going to 18th man. Addo-Carr hasn't played since suffering a shoulder injury in Round 1. That is the only change to the side that downed the Titans last week.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 4 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Blake Taaffe
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Connor Tracey
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack WightonCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Isaiah TassCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane MilneWinger for Bulldogs is number 23 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Dean HawkinsHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Drew Hutchison
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Liam Knight
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Michael Chee KamInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Tallis DuncanInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Samuel Hughes
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Shaquai MitchellInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis Morrin
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Lachlan IliasReplacement for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won the past five Good Friday games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time in more than a year (Round 2-3, 2023).
- The Rabbitohs have conceded an average of more than 37 points per game in 2024.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 21 tries in 21 games at Accor Stadium.
- Rabbitohs second-rower Jacob Host will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 4 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
16th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
14th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
