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

A shortened round concludes with an assault on Accor Stadium as the South Sydney Rabbitohs look to topple the competition leaders in the Canterbury Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.  

Coming off the back of 60,000 people at Accor Stadium on the King's Birthday, the pinnacle of rugby league lights up once again as an Origin affected Canterbury attempt to win back-to-back games against South Sydney for the first time since 2015-16. 

South Sydney were blown out by the high flying Canberra Raiders in the nation's capital last Sunday - Josh Papalii scoring a double as he became the most capped Raider ever in a 36-12 demolition job of the Bunnies. It wasn't as if the Rabbitohs weren't competitive, considering that they led 12-0 after as many minutes. It just so happened that the defensive woes of the Rabbitohs were yet again on full display in the second half as the Raiders ran in 30 unanswered second-half points.

The loss of Campbell Graham prior to kick off and Cody Walker to a groin injury certainly haven't helped an already injury-ravaged Rabbitohs, who now lose Latrell Mitchell to Origin. The addition of Tyrone Munro helps alleviate a brutally hit backline who will need to perform against the form team of the NRL in 2025.

It took the Bulldogs 60 minutes to get rolling against a very buoyant Parramatta Eels, but the boys from Belmore ended up slicing the Eels in half as they ran to a 30-12 win on Monday. While the hype was fully surrounding the debut of Lachlan Galvin, it was the explosiveness of Matt Burton who took out the Eels - so much so that he has earned a berth as 18th man for the Blues in Perth on Wednesday.

Lachlan Galvin will have to fill in the shoes of Burton this weekend, as a couple of big ole' Bulldogs step up to try and keep Belmore bustling at the top of the ladder at the halfway point of the season.

The Bulldogs lose the Origin bite that rocked up against Parramatta, with Kurt Mann, Max King, Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton all out of the line-up. Blake Wilson comes in for Crichton, with Jacob Kiraz shifting to centre. Jacob Preston returns from suspension in the second row, while Jake Turpin and Kurtis Morrin joins the bench. Lachlan Galvin will lineup at five-eighth, with Toby Sexton having one more game to prove his worth in the Dogs line up. 

South Sydney lose Latrell Mitchell (Origin) and Cody Walker (Groin) from last week, with Jye Gray and Jamie Humphreys sliding straight into the starting line-up.Tyrone Munro has been named to return from a broken collarbone, with Campbell Graham in the reserves as he looks to recover from the back spasms that held him out of last week's loss to the Raiders. 

Last meeting: Round 7 2025 - Bulldogs 32 Rabbitohs 0

Who to watch: Jacob Kiraz makes another appearance here as he lines up against one of the weaker defensive units in the competition. On his return from injury, the Origin bolter from two months ago ran for over 210 metres, broke six tackles and offloaded seven times. South Sydney have conceded 25 points in seven of their twelve games so far, including the preceding 32-0 loss against the Dogs in Round 7… Kiraz running for 229 metres, breaking five tackles and setting up a try. 

Keon Koloamatangi should consider himself insanely unlucky that he isn't pulling on a NSW Blues jersey on Wednesday, much to the joy of all Supercoach players and Rabbitohs fans. The bustling forward has been in career best form over the last month, averaging 230 running metres, 43 tackles and four tackle busts to single-handedly drag his side up the field. Whilst named at second row this week, Koloamatangi will no doubt look to involve himself in the guts throughout the game as he heaps the pressure early against a strong Bulldogs forward pack. 

Favourite: Canterbury are firmly favoured by the bookies in this one.

My tip: The Bulldogs, whilst considered the away team, are very accustomed to being victorious at Accor in 2025. They've won four from five, the only loss being a wet weather loss against the Dolphins. A win here will see the Bulldogs on top of the ladder until at least round 17, whilst the Bunnies need a win to kick off a dreadful run of games coming up (Storm, Dolphins, Sea Eagles, BYE, Panthers, Sharks, Broncos). Origin stars aside, the Bulldogs could easily drop a cricket score here if the Rabbitohs don't fire up early. I hope that Scott Bailey has his X account ready… we could see 50. Bulldogs by 30.

1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Davvy Moale 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Ryan Gray 19. Campbell Graham 20. Lewis Dodd 21. Fletcher Myers 22. Jacob Host

1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Toby Sexton 8. Josh Curran 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Jake Turpin 15. Harry Hayes 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Enari Tuala 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Matt Noyen; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;