The Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs share arguably one of the most underrated rivalries in Australian Rugby League. Tonight, that rivalry is set to fuel another thrilling contest - with everything on the line for both teams.
The Bulldogs will be licking their wounds after a thrilling contest with the first-placed Roosters last week, while the Rabbitohs escaped from the clutches of defeat against Parramatta.
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Match: Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Round 24 -
home Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 24 Match Preview.
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Rabbitohs and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
Just the one change for Cameron Ciraldo after barnstorming back-rower Sitili Tupouniua suffering another hamstring injury last week. He is replaced on the bench by Alekolasimi Jones in his fourth NRL game and first Round 16.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt BurtonCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Tallis Duncan
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Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari TualaCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton
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Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro RinakamaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
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Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen CrichtonFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden Sullivan
Forwards
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
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Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon Smith
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Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Adam Elliott
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Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jye Gray
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi JonesInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Euan Aitken
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Bronson XerriInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Peter Mamouzelos
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Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake TurpinInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Edward Kosi
Reserves
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Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Sean O'SullivanReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Jonah Glover
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Sean O'Sullivan
Rabbitohs Ins
- Campbell Graham
- Edward Kosi
- Euan Aitken
- Jonah Glover
- Peter Mamouzelos
Bulldogs Outs
- Sitili Tupouniua
Rabbitohs Ins
- Ashton Ward
- Jamie Humphreys
- Moala Graham-Taufa
- Thomas Fletcher
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
The loss of halfback Ashton Ward to a season-ending hamstring injury brings Jayden Sullivan in at halfback for just his third game in the starting side in 2026. Winger Campbell Graham (calf) is back on deck so Jye Gray slides to the bench. Jamie Humphreys is out with an ankle injury. The new faces on the bench are Euan Aitken, Ed Kosi and Peter Mamouzelos.
History vs Rabbitohs and Last Time Out: Round 4, 2026
Since 1935, Canterbury-Bankstown and South Sydney have faced one another a whopping 172 times, with the Bulldogs holding a slight ledger with 86 wins.
The two clubs hold very similar values when it comes to community; from developing local juniors to become stars of the game to connecting with their working-class Members and supporters.
NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs vs Rabbitohs - Round 15, 2025
While the Rabbitohs got the chocolates on Good Friday back in Round 4, the Bulldogs have had a habit of returning serve with late-season wins.
You only have to look back to last year's 24-18 victory under floodlights, the high-scoring 36-32 thriller back in 2023, as well as the colossal upset in Round 19, 2020 where the Josh Jackson-led Bulldogs toppled the preliminary final-bound Rabbitohs 26-16.
With both teams' finals hopes on the line, you can bet this one is going to be another classic between these cross-town rivals.
Key Match Up: Colossal Back Row Battle
Viliame Kikau and David Fifita are two of the biggest back rowers in the competition, and there will be plenty of colossal collisions between the two of them on Friday night.
The Fijian force's return to the field in Round 20 after three months on the sidelines, it's no surprise to see the Bulldogs gain some form. In his 11 matches, Kikau has scored a try, broken the line four times while assisting twice, and averages 92 metres per match.
Kikau Beats Four To Score!
However, it's his ball playing that is one of the more underrated parts of his game, having offloaded a massive 31 times, averaging nearly three per game.
Fifita has been a revelation since his move down south this year, proving to be an attacking lynchpin for the cardinal and myrtle. In his 12 appearances, he's scored three tries, made four line breaks and three line break assists while offloading 14 times and averaging 139 metres per match.
Keep an eye on these two blockbusting forwards to break the line and set up their edges tonight - they'll have their fair share of meetings as well.
What They Said: Kurt Mann, Max King & Cameron Ciraldo
Kurt Mann Round 24 Media
Max King Round 24 Media
Coach Media: Round 24
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- The Bulldogs have won five of their last six games at Accor Stadium.
- Bulldogs centre Matt Burton requires three points for 700 career points.
Bulldogs Captain Stephen Crichton has scored 11 tries in 14 games against the Rabbitohs. - The Rabbitohs have conceded an average of over 29 points per game since Round 18.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 13 tries in his last 11 games against the Bulldogs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Where to Watch
Bulldogs Members and supporters will be available to watch the match on Channel 9 and FoxSports, or stream via Kayo.
