Three years of sacrifice leads Bulldogs to 2025 resurrection

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs Friday 4:05pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

A well needed 13-day rest sees the undefeated Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs head to Accor Stadium on Good Friday to look at ending a streak of 7 years on the faithful day.

Although it's been a seemingly easy run to start 2025, they have done their most of their winning without integral pieces of the premiership run in Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau (both of which they hope to be healthy for the contest.)

Bennett's Bunnies are looking to bounce back after suffering an 8 point loss to the on the rise Cowboys. They will welcome back Halfback and skipper Cody Walker from a hamstring injury and Campbell Graham from a calf will head to the wing, a position he hasn't found himself at the NRL level since Round 2 of the 2020 season.

With 60,000+ set to grace the Olympic Stadium Friday Afternoon, it feeds right into the Wayne Bennett mentality getting the job done when his team's back is against the wall. As for Canterbury Coach Cam Ciraldo, it's a case of continuing his teams tremendous momentum but not getting ahead of themselves.

Team News: The Bulldogs welcome back Five-Eighth Matt Burton from a foot injury he sustained in Round 2, Bailey Hayward makes way for him as he heads to the bench with Blake Taaffe listed as a reserve. Sitili Tupouniua is the only other change for the Dogs, coming in for Harry Hayes. Viliame Kikau has been listed as a reserve in 23 and could be a late inclusion.

As for the Bunnies, Alex Johnston is sidelined with injury. Replacing him is returning three-quarter Campbell Graham who was last seen in Round 3. Jayden Sullivan makes way for Cody Walker and included on the bench looking to debut is 23 year old Englishman Lewis Dodd at the expense of utility forward Liam Le Blanc. Josh Schuster is listed as a reserve after having a mixed return to NSW Cup last week.

Last meeting: Round 4 2024 - Rabbitohs 20 Bulldogs 16

Who to watch: With every back-rower exploding this year, both Jacob Preston and Keaon Koloamatangi have a pivotal opportunity to impress New South Wales Coach Laurie Daley. Preston has averaged 11 carries a game with 4 tackle breaks per match, as for Keaon he can expect to get his hands dirty defensively, making only 25 tackles a game in his minutes this season. Both should play on the same side, grab the popcorn and enjoy!

The favourite: As they should be, the Bulldogs are the firm favourites in this one by 9.5+. Once again, Wayne Bennett licks his lips at the thought of that, definitely some value for the Rabbitohs considering the Dogs Good Friday woes.

My tip: I expect both teams to come of the proverbial back fence from the fireworks. Both packs will be battered and bruised from the physicality which should open up acres of space for the Diminutive Jye Gray and the Red Corvette Bronson Xerri. The scores will remain low in the first half and explode in the last 20 minutes as the fatigue becomes too much for both teams. Not quite the Golden Point that the rugby league purest will be hoping for, but Souths will keep it close before the dogs kick away late down the last 50 on the track. Bulldogs by 8 (I'll go with 30-22).

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Jack Todd 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Viliame Kikau

1. Jye Gray 2. Campbell Graham 3. Euan Aitken 4. Jack Wighton 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Latrell Mitchell 7. Cody Walker 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Lewis Dodd 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Salesi Ataata 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Declan Casey 22. Joshua Schuster

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: David Munro, Phil Henderson; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;