Mitchell crucifies Bulldogs in milestone match

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have continued a run of dominance on Good Friday with a 50-16 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.

Latrell Mitchell was the star of the show in his 150th first grade appearance, scoring 26 points from a hat-trick and seven goals, as the Rabbitohs recorded their fifth consecutive Good Friday victory in front of a crowd of 35,211 supporters.

The Bulldogs struck an early blow with Jake Averillo (3rd minute) racing the length of the field to score from a scrum, however the joy was short-lived with Josh Addo-Carr sustaining a serious ankle injury forcing the speedster from the field less than ten minutes into the game.

Having scored a hat-trick in the corresponding fixture last season, Damien Cook was denied after grounding the ball on the dead ball line; the Rabbitohs hooker atoned by sending Cameron Murray (17th minute) over next to the posts to lock up the scores at 6-all.

A penalty goal from Mitchell pushed the visitors ahead before a devastating run of tries late in the half changed the momentum of the match in favour of the foundation club.

The Rabbitohs relentlessly exposed Jackson Topine, filling in for Addo-Carr in the Bulldogs backline, with Izaac Thompson bursting down the right edge and finding Mitchell (32nd minute) in support, while in the very next set a near identical play involving Campbell Graham and Cody Walker allowed Mitchell (34th minute) to grab a first half brace. 

Jacob Host (38th minute) completed the first half scoring by running into space created by Walker to send the Rabbitohs to the sheds up 26-6.

After being denied a try to Hayze Perham shortly after halftime due to an obstruction, the Bulldogs struck back with Matt Burton (55th minute) finishing off a lovely grubber from Reed Mahoney to narrow the deficit.

Taking advantage of a one-man advantage after Jacob Preston was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop tackle which saw Thompson assisted from the field, Walker (63rd minute) got his name on the scoresheet with a strong run close to the line.

Mitchell (67th minute) collected his first hat-trick in red and green colours after a break from Jed Cartwright, while Graham (69th minute) took South Sydney past 40 points with a try in the following set.

The Bulldogs collected a consolation four-pointer with Burton (73rd minute) racing the length of the field from a scrum; Graham (76th minute) collected his second running onto a superb cut-out pass from Mitchell.

Mitchell completed the rout by throwing an audacious pass to give Graham (79th minute) his third try of the afternoon as the Rabbitohs ran out 50-16 victors.

Next week, the Bulldogs face the Eels in a Sunday afternoon grudge match at Bankwest Stadium, while the Rabbitohs will take on the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday evening.