Take me to the April fun: Eight classics not to be missed

Bulldogs v Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium, Friday, April 7

Head to Head: Played 166, Bulldogs 83, Rabbitohs 79, drawn 4

At Accor Stadium: Played 34, Bulldogs 18, Rabbitohs 16

The moment: Six months after slugging it out in the 2014 grand final, the Bunnies and Dogs renewed acquaintances at the same ground in Round 5, 2015. With a heaving crowd of 40,000 on hand, the two heavyweights engaged in a stirring battle which looked like going Canterbury’s way when Trent Hodkinson’s field goal gave them a17-16 lead with three minutes to play. All hell then broke loose when Bulldogs prop James Graham made contact with Adam Reynolds’ legs in an attempt to charge down the halfback’s field goal attempt. Referee Gerard Sutton awarded the Rabbitohs a penalty in front of the posts, David Klemmer unloaded on Sutton and was sin binned, Bryson Goodwin slotted the goal and the Rabbitohs escaped 18-17. As Sutton and his fellow officials left the field they were pelted with bottles by irate Bulldogs fans in an unsavoury end to a gripping Good Friday showdown.

Last time they met: The Rabbitohs headed into the Round 18 clash last year in seventh place and needing a victory to consolidate their spot in the eight. The Bulldogs were 14th but showing signs improvement after recent wins over Parramatta and Wests Tigers. A 12-try shootout ensued as fans at Accor Stadium were treated to some sublime attack from Latrell Mitchell, Lachlan Ilias and Matt Burton before Alex Johnston’s second and third tries of the night iced a 36-28 win for Souths.

The main players: The flying ‘Fox’ Josh Addo-Carr is coming in hot after playing a leading role in the Bulldogs' stunning 'Hail Mary' play to pull off a 15-14 win over the Cowboys in golden point. If he is given an inch, Addo-Carr will take a mile, as will good mate Latrell Mitchell, who lines up for his 150th NRL game.

ROUND 7

Dolphins v Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, Thursday April 13

The history: A great moment for the game when foundation club South Sydney meet our newest club the Dolphins at the home of Queensland rugby league. The Rabbitohs are one of boast 21 premierships and have produced 73 Australian representatives, 10 Kiwi reps and three England reps. The Dolphins entered the competition in 2023 and boast three wins in five games. They have Kiwi Test players Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Jeremy Marshall-King and Kodi Nikorima in their line-up along with Samoan World Cup star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Scotland rep Euan Aitken and Tongan teen sensation Isaiya Katoa.

The moment: On Sunday, March 5 the Dolphins exploded onto the NRL scene by taking down another foundation club the Roosters in their debut match in front of 32,177 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

The main players: Wayne Bennett has been the headline act at the Dolphins, masterminding wins over the Roosters, Raiders and Knights. Bennett will again be the centre of attention and take the focus away from his players as they prepare for a massive test against a club that has been to the preliminary final five years in a row and a grand final two years ago. Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell will revel in the big game atmosphere in Brisbane, as will rival fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Sea Eagles v Storm at 4 Pines Park, Friday April 14

Head to head: Played 42, Storm 25, Sea Eagles 16, drawn 1.

At 4 Pines Park: Played 20, Sea Eagles 10, Storm 10.

The moment: The Storm and Sea Eagles faced off in consecutive grand finals in 2007-08 and the rivalry still had plenty of heat in it in 2011. With both sides riding high in the top four as the season neared its conclusion, the Round 25 showdown at a sold out Brookvale Oval had all the hallmarks of a classic. In the purple corner you had Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Craig Bellamy, in the maroon corner Anthony Watmough, Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon and Des Hasler. When emotions bubbled over in the 25th minute it was rival back-rowers Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair who were banished to the bin by referee Shayne Hayne. Stopping for an unfriendly chat on the way off, Stewart and Blair suddenly started throwing punches and players from both sides sprinted 30 metres to get involved. Once the ugly melee had subsided, the pair were given their marching orders for the night and the Sea Eagles went on to win 18-4. Blair was slapped with a five-game ban and Stewart three, ensuring the Manly man would be back in time for the grand final which his team won 24-10 over the Warriors and he collected the Clive Churchill Medal as player of the match.

Last time they met: Tries flowed freely at 4 Pines Park in Round 16 last year when the Sea Eagles outlasted the Storm 36-30, but not before getting a huge scare late in the game. When teenage flyer Tolu Koula crossed for his second try in the 58th minute to make it 34-12 and Daly Cherry-Evans slotted a penalty goal soon after, the packed 4 Pines hill was in full party mode as ‘Eagle Rock’ rang out, but the Storm weren’t done. They piled on to Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Justin Olam and two to Ryan Papenhuyzen in a five-minute burst but the damage had been done and Manly got the chocolates.

The main players: Tom Trbojevic took a couple of games to hit top gear but he racked up astonishing numbers in Mudgee in Round 5 with 297 running metres, three line break assists, two try assists and three tackle breaks. is averaging 220 metres per game and has 20 tackle breaks. If his combination with Josh Schuster clicks then the Storm could struggle to keep the Sea Eagles in check. Storm centre Justin Olam missed the first two games of the season with an arm injury but all indications are the Kumuls enforcer is ready to peak. The PNG World Cup star has scored 10 tries in his past seven games against Manly, including hat-tricks in 2019 and 2020.

Titans v Broncos at CBUS Super Stadium, Saturday April 15

Head to head: Played 33, Broncos 23, Titans 10.

At CBUS Super Stadium: Played 16, Broncos 10, Titans 6.

The moment: The biggest comeback in Broncos history came in Round 8 of the COVID-affected 2021 season when they recovered from 22-0 down to beat the Titans 36-28. A stunning start by Gold Coast netted them four tries in the opening 14 minutes to set up what should have been an unassailable lead. With Anthony Milford and Tyson Gamble calling the shots the Broncos woke from their slumber and worked their way back into the game to level up at 22-22 at half-time. They continued the onslaught with two tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and remarkably had a 36-22 lead with half an hour to play. Broncos fullback Jamayne Isaako finished with two tries, two try assists, nine tackle breaks and 20 points in the ultimate rocks and diamonds game after he was caught out of position as the Titans scored their first three tries from grubber kicks.

Last time they met: The Titans had won just one of their past 12 matches when the Broncos came calling at Cbus Super Stadium in Round 18 last year but Justin Holbrook’s men had something special in store for derby day. Missing Origin reps Pat Carrigan, Corey Oates, Kurt Capewell and Selwyn  Cobbo, the Broncos were vulnerable and they fell behind after 29 minutes when Titans No.6 Tanah Boyd crossed for the opening try. Delouise Hoeter scored on the stroke of half-time to draw Brisbane level but a rare try to Jaimin Jolliffe in the 44th minute had the Titans on track for an upset. Tries to Jordan Pereira and Adam Reynolds gave the hot favourites a 16-12 lead and that’s how it stayed, the Titans missing a golden opportunity in the 70th minute when winger Phil Sami won the race to a Toby Sexton grubber but couldn’t control the put down.

The main players: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Payne Haas are two of the game’s most dynamic and destructive ball-runners. The Titans skipper is averaging 166 running metres and 28 tackles per game in 2023 while Haas has proved unstoppable at times for Brisbane with 186 metres per game. The 23-year-old also leads the NRL in post-contact metres with 396 and has busted 24 tackles.

ROUND 8

Rabbitohs v Panthers at Accor Stadium, Thursday April 20

Head to head: Played 93, Rabbitohs 47, Panthers 45, drawn 1.

At Accor Stadium: Played 11, Rabbitohs 7, Panthers 4.

The moment: With the 2021 grand final on a knife’s edge at 8-8, Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker drifted across field and tried to put Alex Johnston into space with a cut-out pass, but Panthers centre Stephen Crichton swooped. Plucking the ball out of the air one-handed, Crichton set sail on a 45-metre run to the tryline, covering the ground with ease and touching down to hand Penrith a lead they would not relinquish. Had Walker’s pass found its mark it may well have been a try at the other end but Crichton’s instinctive play proved the decisive moment in the first ever grand final at Suncorp Stadium.

Last time they met: The Panthers already have one up on the Rabbitohs in 2023, taking the spoils 16-10 at BlueBet Stadium in Round 2. The Panthers looked to be cruising at 16-0 on the back of some Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai brilliance before tries to Alex Johnston and Isaiah Tass dragged Souths back into the contest. Despite dominating for most of the night the Panthers needed a desperate diving effort from Dylan Edwards to stop Johnston from scoring in the final minute to secure the result.

The main players: Superstars across the park in this one with inspirational skippers Cameron Murray and Isaah Yeo in the middle of the park and gifted playmakers Cody Walker and Nathan Cleary scouting wide and sniffing out tired defenders. Throw in Dylan Edwards and Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton and Campbell Graham, James Fisher-Harris and Tom Burgess and you’ve got a cracking contest in prospect.

Roosters v Dragons at Allianz Stadium, Tuesday April 25

Head to head: Played 47, Roosters 25, Dragons 21, drawn 1.

On Anzac Day: Played 20, Dragons 12, Roosters 8.

The moment: Befitting the occasion, the Roosters and Dragons have turned on a string of memorable Anzac Day clashes since 2002, both sides digging deep to produce wins that could define a season. When it comes to late drama, the 2012 instalment at Aussie Stadium takes some beating. Trailing 24-16 with less than five minutes to play, the Dragons looked gone, but a try to Matt Prior from the kick-off provided a glimmer of hope before cult hero Michael Weyman powered towards the line and found Ben Creagh with a sublime offload, the back-rower plunging over to complete a miracle comeback for the Red V. On April 25 the Roosters and Red V return to the scene of that classic clash for their first meeting at the magnificent new Allianz Stadium which will packed to the rafters for the solemn occasion.

Last time they met: Gosford was the venue in Round 18 last year for a clash between two teams knocking on the door of the top eight with eight games remaining in the season. With scores locked 20-20 after 50 minutes, the Roosters found another gear to blow the Dragons away. James Tedesco, Joey Manu and Sam Walker were the instigators as the Roosters piled on six tries in 26 minutes to run out 54-26 winners. It was the start of an eight-game winning streak for Trent Robinson’s team, who went on to finish sixth, while the Dragons could only manage 10th place.

The main players: Captains James Tedesco and Ben Hunt are the heartbeat of their teams and when they fire, good things happen for the Roosters and Dragons. Emotions will run high as a massive crowd packs into Allianz Stadium and the pre-game ceremony has the hair on the back of the neck standing up… from there it’s over to the skippers to keep their men calm and composed as another chapter in the Anzac Day legend is written.

Storm v Warriors at AAMI Park, Tuesday April 25

Head to head: Played 49, Storm 31, Warriors 16, drawn 2.

On Anzac Day: Played 12, Storm 9, Warriors 2, drawn 1.

The moment: Entering the 2008 finals series in eighth place, the Warriors were given little hope of toppling minor premiers Melbourne on home soil. Coached by Ivan Cleary and captained by Steve Price, the Warriors had enjoyed a fine season but Melbourne’s Big Three of Slater, Cronk and Smith were expected to guide their team home. After hanging tough all afternoon the Warriors fell behind 15-14 after a Greg Inglis field goal but there was one twist left. Centre Jerome Ropati broke free and found Manu Vatuvei who gave it to Michael Witt, the five-eighth scampering 20 metres to secure a famous victory. Witt’s premature celebration before planting the ball down would have sent shudders through the Warriors’ coaching box but the underdogs had pulled off what many thought impossible. The 18-15 win marked the first time since the introduction of the McIntyre finals system in 1999 that the eight-ranked team beaten the minor premiers.

Last time they met: The Warriors were basking in the glory of being back at Mt Smart Stadium when the fifth-placed Storm came calling in Round 20 last year. The first match at Mt Smart a month earlier had delivered an emotional 22-2 win over Wests Tigers and with the Storm in the midst of a four-game losing streak there was a sense of optimism among Warriors fans. With Kiwi playmaker Jahrome Hughes taking the charge the Storm shot out to a 22-8 lead and even a maiden hat-trick to Edward Kosi wasn’t enough for the home side as they succumbed 24-12.

The main players: The Warriors haven't tasted victory on Anzac Day since 2014 and if they are going to turn that around they'll need halfback Shaun Johnson to deliver more of the magic he conjured in the 32-30 win over the Sharks in Round 5. Johnson is clearly revelling under new coach Andrew Webster and has turned back the clock with some vintage performances to carry the Warriors to second on the ladder with a 4-1 record. Melbourne’s own magician Cameron Munster is the man most likely to match him or even better him when it comes to special plays.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.