'One of the greats': Rabbitohs pay tribute to club legend amid cancer battle

The annual Good Friday match has developed into one of the biggest games of the regular season since it was established in 2007. 

A clash between two of the largest and most passionate supporter bases in the competition, the match is played at a finals intensity and has featured plenty of dramatic moments over the years. 

More than 51,000 fans were on hand as Merritt laid on the match-sealing try in 2013, while few will forget the controversial ending to an instant classic in 2015. 

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly has had a first-hand view of the game's growth throughout the past 15 years and said it has all the ingredients for a unique rugby league spectacle. 

"It's a tremendous credit to the Rabbitohs and the team at the Bulldogs," Solly said. "Their form on the field is reflected by the enthusiasm of the supporter base off it. They will bring a lot of noise on Friday and I'm sure the Rabbitohs members and fans will do the same. 

"It's the biggest regular season game of the year, both sets of members get in and we share the gate so both clubs have an incentive to get as many fans and members to the game."

The rugby league community has rallied around Merritt in recent months after his cancer diagnosis was revealed.

The Rabbitohs will raise money for the club legend during Friday's match as part of the 50-50 charity raffle. 

The former NSW winger has commenced chemotherapy and is determined to do everything he can to fight the cancer for his five children. 

"I've been through two rounds of chemo so far, I'll have three more rounds and then have a break," Merritt said. "After that we'll reassess, speak to the doctors and see where we go from there. 

"It's going to be a tiring battle but it's what I've got to do. I'll try my best and see how I go."

While the ledger between the two sides was fairly even in the early years, South Sydney have dominated in recent times. The Rabbitohs won six in a row from 2018 to 2024 to claim the upper hand in the rivalry.

Canterbury turned the tide last season, shutting out their opponents in a comprehensive 32-0 win in front of a record-breaking 65,305 crowd.

The match stamped the Cameron Ciraldo-coached side's arrival as a premiership contender and laid the platform for their first top-four finish since 2012.

"Good Friday's always a big occasion," Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann said. "Last year we broke the crowd record so it's always a great game to play in. 

"We got used to the atmosphere last year, we had some of the biggest crowds in the NRL and we're expecting it will be another big crowd this weekend. 

"After last week, we aren't too happy about that performance. It's a short turnaround so we don't have to wait long to rectify it."

Talk to any player from either side about this match and they will recall fond memories from their childhood watching in the stands or on TV. 

Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi was a Canterbury fan growing up and clearly remembers sitting in the stands for the epic 2015 tussle. 

Many of the prop's teammates grew up idolising Merritt's exploits, both on Good Friday and as a leader in the Indigenous community.

The Redfern junior inspired generations of youngsters desperate to reach similar heights on the football field, with South Sydney centre Jack Wighton desperate to honour Merritt with a win. 

"He's one of the greats," Wighton said. "He's someone I looked up to coming through. I looked up to him when I was playing and he was still running around. 

"The club loves him. I got to know him a little bit outside football and he's an absolute champion. It's going to be awesome to see him there, hopefully in good spirits ringing the bell."