Rabbitohs v Bulldogs preview

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Friday 4:00pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Easter Bunnies take on defiant Dogs

The saying used to go that "something always happens when the Eels play the Bulldogs" - in the past decade, it's certainly true that the saying now applies to this spicy contest.

Despite the Bulldogs relative lack of success in the last five years, clashes between these two historic rivals - the second oldest head-to-head match up in the premiership behind the Rabbitohs-Roosters rivalry - have had plenty of spice.

Of course, the most famous of these recent clashes hark back to the middle of last decade when the Rabbitohs claimed their 21st title over the Bulldogs in the 2014 decider, and the following clash on Good Friday 2015, where Canterbury were inches from redemption before a controversial late penalty goal saw South Sydney home 18-17.

Fast forward to 2021 and two unforgettable clashes will be stuck in the memory of both teams for reasons they'd rather blank out. On Good Friday, Canterbury copped a 38-0 hammering from the Bunnies, but the boys in red and green came out of the clash with huge concerns one the Match Review Committee came together - Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi subject to suspension in the weeks that followed. When the two sides met again in Round 18, Canterbury were far more competitive - then the halftime siren went. For reasons that still remain a mystery, young halfback Lachlan Lewis opted to take Cody Walker down with a wrestling style tackle as the teams walked off at the break. Leading 12-10 at the time and with Lewis spending the first ten minutes of the second half in the sin bin, the 'Dogs stumbled through the second half as Souths ultimately recorded a 32-24 victory.

That brings us to 2022. South Sydney - minus star half Adam Reynolds - have won two of five in the new season but have remained competitive throughout. They were shellshocked by Brisbane in Round 1 before losses to the Storm and Panthers in Rounds 2 and 4. Their wins have come over the Roosters and Dragons.

The Bulldogs are an enigma at the moment. They started with promise - a win over the Cowboys to open the season has been followed by four losses. They kept things close against Brisbane and Manly, but have suffered more considerably in larger losses to both Melbourne and Penrith. Selection issues in the halves have - for yet another season - already plagued Trent Barrett's team.

Speaking of selection - Souths face a serious challenge as they embark on a two-month period where fullback Latrell Mitchell will miss out through injury. Blake Taaffe earns the nod to replace him as has been the case in the last 18 months when Mitchell has been unavailable. Taaffe's promotion from the bench to the custodian role sees Hame Sele get a chance on the interchange.

Canterbury have largely stuck solid with a side that earned limited praise for a better effort against Penrith last week, with coach Barrett opting for only one change - Ava Seumanufagai dropping to the reserves and Chris Patolo earning a recall to the interchange. Corey Allan - who has missed the opening month of action through injury - is listed in the reserves and could displace Jake Averillo if passed fit.

Last meeting: Round 18 2021 - Rabbitohs 32 Bulldogs 24

Who to watch: One big question mark this year for the Rabbitohs has been edge defending. The wing covered by Jaxson Paulo and now Josh Mansour has often been exploited by opposition attack. If Canterbury can use the ball to the width of the field on the Mansour wing, there could be opportunities abound. In attack, Mansour has proved he still has the skill and class to finish with the best of them.

Five rounds, no tries. That record would be troubling Josh Addo-Carr as much as it would Canterbury fans. The 'Foxx' will no doubt be buoyed by the try assist he provided Joe Stimson against Penrith last Sunday but his inside men will need to find him more ball if he's going to get on the scoresheet. Speaking of halves, Kyle Flanagan performed well in his baptism of fire against Penrith last week - it will help the 'Dogs if he can be allowed to get his feet firm on the ground and continue to relieve Matt Burton's load.

The favourite: Souths, of course. It'll be a surprise if Canterbury are listed as favourite for any match until they face the Wests Tigers or St George Illawarra.

My tip: Another Good Friday classic is coming up - you can just sense it. Souths will win but it'll be entertaining, unlike last year's one-way traffic. Souths by 6.

1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Hame Sele 15. Jacob Host 17. Liam Knight 19. Isaiah Tass 18. Siliva Havili

1. Matt Dufty 2. Brent Naden 3. Braidon Burns 4. Jake Averillo 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Josh Jackson 13. Chris Patolo 14. Brandon Wakeham 16. Max King 17. Joe Stimson 23. Ava Seumanufagai 25. Corey Allan

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Michael Wise; Video Referees: Chris Butler;