The Bulldogs are sitting pretty on top of the ladder but will have their depth tested with captain Stephen Crichton, lock Kurt Mann, prop Max King and five-eighth Matt Burton all on Origin duty.
When the sides clashed in their annual Good Friday showdown it was the Bulldogs turning on the power to win 32-0 as Blues prop Max King ran for 232 metres and Connor Tracey and Jacob Kiraz combined for 42 runs and 451 metres.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 15 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
14th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
1st Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rabbitohs have fought hard in 2025 with the supercoach Wayne Bennett back at the helm but injuries continue to cruel their campaign.
After taking the game right up to the Raiders to lead 12-0 at the break, the Bunnies were overrun in the second half as they lost Cody Walker to a groin injury on top of Campbell Graham being a late withdrawal with back spasms.
The two teams will battle it out for the Mortimer-McCarthy Cup, paying tribute to two of the finest Bulldogs in history; Steve Mortimer and Bob McCarthy - the latter of whom arrived from the Club via the Rabbitohs.
NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs vs Rabbitohs - Round 7, 2025
Team News
Bulldogs: After coming from the bench in the win over Souths, Lachlan Galvin moves into the starting side with Matt Burton in Blues camp. Jacob Kiraz moves to centre to cover for Stephen Crichton (Origin) and Blake Wilson comes in on the wing. With Max King also on Blues duty, Josh Curran shifts to front row and Jacob Preston returns from suspension in the second row. Jake Turpin and Kurt Morrin are the new faces on the bench with Kurt Mann set to make his Origin debut for the Maroons next week and Galvin joining the starting side.
Rabbitohs: Jye Gray will play fullback with Latrell Mitchell in Blues camp. Jayden Sullivan moves to five-eighth in the absence of Cody Walker (groin) and Jamie Humphreys takes over at halfback. Davvy Moale has been added to the bench after he was 18th man last week. Star centre Campbell Graham is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from the back spasms that ruled him out of the Raiders game.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 15 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye GrayFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack WightonCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Isaiah TassCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jacob Kiraz
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone MunroWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jayden SullivanFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie HumphreysHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Jai ArrowProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Josh Curran
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva HaviliHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan HubnerLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Bailey Hayward
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jake Turpin
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Liam Le BlancInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Tevita TatolaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis Morrin
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Ryan GrayInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Blake Taaffe
Reserves
-
Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 15 Sean KeppieReplacement for Bulldogs is number 16 Lipoi Hopoi
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won only three of their past eight games at Accor Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have not won both regular season games against the Rabbitohs since 2011.
- The Rabbitohs have won six of their past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 16 tries in 18 games against the Bulldogs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
