The Bulldogs will be searching hard for a win so the Rabbitohs will have to watch that complacency doesn't cause a hiccup in their quest for their first hat-trick of victories in 2021.

The Bulldogs have now conceded 52 points without landing a punch - losing 28-0 to the Panthers and then 24-0 to the Broncos in rounds two and three.

Fortunes are the complete opposite for South Sydney, with five tries to beat Manly and four to roll the Roosters. 

So while this traditional Good Friday match might not have the close rivalry of past years - it's 15th versus 6th on the ladder - the Rabbitohs need to bring the right attitude.

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The rundown

Team news

Bulldogs: Dummy-half Jeremy Marshall-King suffered a mid-foot ligament injury against the Broncos and will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. Sione Katoa has been named to replace him at hooker.

Nick Meaney moves to fullback in a straight swap with Corey Allan, while Lachlan Lewis gets a recall at five-eighth with Jake Averillo sidelined by an ankle injury.

Josh Jackson's suspension for a crusher tackle opens the door for Renouf Atoni to start while Jackson Topine and Dean Britt are the new faces on the bench.

Averillo and Chris Smith were the first two players omitted from the 21-man squad on Thursday. Brandon Wakeham and Matt Doorey were dropped an hour before kick-off to leave the Dogs 1-17.

Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and English forward Luke Thompson are due back from suspension in round five.

Rabbitohs: No changes to the 17 which took care of arch-rivals the Roosters in impressive fashion in round three.

Prop Junior Tatola did not train with the side on Monday due to a hamstring niggle but will play. Fellow prop Liam Knight has been ruled out indefinitely after suffering a head knock at training in February. 

Dean Hawkins and Troy Dargan were cut from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off. Steven Marsters and Jacob Host suffered the same fate on game day.

Hame Sele (ribs) is at least another two weeks away while Taane Milne (knee), Braidon Burns (knee) and Blake Taaffe (ankle) are looking at around another month on the sideline.  

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Key match-up 

Will Hopoate v Dane Gagai: The veterans face off with Hopoate eager to contain his opposite centre in Gagai. We know the potency of the whole Rabbitohs left edge but Hopoate is a good defender - he made 26 tackles against the Broncos last weekend despite being in a losing side.

Gagai is one try short of 60 for his NRL career so far, and this game presents a first-class opportunity to reach that milestone.

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Stat attack 

Is 26 the Rabbitohs' new favourite number? They scored 26 points to beat Manly and then 26 points again to down the Roosters. Don't forget the Bulldogs beat the Rabbitohs the last time these two met in Round 19 last September - by, wait for it, 26-16.

 

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