Rabbitohs v Dragons
Monday, 4.25pm, ANZ Stadium
Traditional and virtually ancient enemies the Rabbitohs and Dragons will clash this Monday evening, with one side to wave goodbye to hopes of finals football.
After both teams enjoyed a rest at the weekend, the situation is simple: South Sydney are a point adrift of the top eight, the Dragons are two points short.
In front of what should be a healthy crowd at ANZ Stadium, they will play off for a chance at a busy September.
The Rabbitohs’ last outing was an admirable two-point victory over top-four side the Warriors.
Not for the first time this year, hooker Cameron McInnes was South Sydney’s best player in their 40-38 victory.
The rake managed two tries as well as 34 tackles, three tackle-breaks and a line-break. The Rabbitohs’ scoring was completed in the 58th minute and banded together in a solid display of guts to hold out a fast-finishing Warriors outfit.
For the Dragons it was a very different Round 17, with the Sydney Roosters running rampage in a 48-26 spectacle.
Man mountain Kem Seru scored two tries, while winger Kayne Brennan ran for 204 metres in the hefty defeat.
But form tends to get thrown out the window in these emotion-charged, high-stakes encounters. One might as well flip a coin.
Tip: Dragons by two points.
