Thursday night footy: Sea Eagles fight back to lead Rabbitohs

Half-time: The Sea Eagles take a two-point advantage into half-time, holding sway despite going down to 12 for 10 minutes after Clayton Faulalo was sin binned for a professional foul. The Rabbitohs couldn't take advantage of their early opportunities in attack and struggled to get more chances after the sin bin period.

36th min: Sean Keppie welcomes rising Sea Eagles front rower Simione Laiafi to the field with an almighty bell-ringer, forcing the ball loose.

34th min: The Rabbitohs get a set restart on last tackle to march them back into the attacking zone. The set goes nowhere with Tallis Duncan shut down on last tackle.

30th min: The Sea Eagles hit the lead. Campbell Graham makes a cardinal error out of yardage and the ball is quickly spun wide to Lehi Hopoate, who slips the tackle of Ashton Ward to score. Reuben Garrick misses the conversion attempt. Sea Eagles lead 10-8.

28th min: In a third consecutive set on the back of a penalty due to a high tackle on Reuben Garrick, the man at the centre of it looks certain to score until Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston gets his hand underneath and forces Garrick over the sideline.

26th min: Clayton Faulalo returns to the field, his side winning the period he was absent 6-2.

23rd min: After the Rabbitohs go close at the other end, the 12-man Sea Eagles turn defence into attack, earning a penalty for an escort. A strong run from Haumole Olakau'atu leads to an offload to Reuben Garrick, who shovels it on to Jason Saab to go over untouched. Garrick hits it straight and true for the conversion. Rabbitohs lead 8-6.

16th min: Clayton Faulalo is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, holding down Ashton Ward too long on the back of an initial break from Jye Gray on kick return. The Rabbitohs opt for a penalty shot from 32m out and Latrell Siegwalt nails it. Rabbitohs lead 8-0.

13th min: The Rabbitohs hit the lead! After receiving a set restart inside the 20, Souths strike thanks to a slick pass from Cameron Murray putting Keaon Koloamatangi into a yawning gap and he drags Luke Brooks over the line to score the opener. Latrell Siegwalt converts the try. Rabbitohs lead 6-0.

10th min: Souths turn away the Sea Eagles once again, forcing Reuben Garrick into an error as he was forced over the sideline, in a set where Jake Simpkin was held up over the line on a dummy half scurry. Cody Walker finds a 40/20 on the next set in a bid to turn the tide.

6th min: The home side get the first attacking set of the game after a penalty against David Fifita for a lifting tackle on Luke Brooks. Haumole Olakau'atu comes within centimetres of scoring but loses the ball short of the line.

4th min: Both teams are working their way into contest, each completing their opening two sets of the game.

Kickoff: Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick gets us underway with the kickoff on a clear night on the northern beaches.

Late mail

Sea Eagles: Tolu Koula is confirmed to line up in the centres after he was medically cleared to play following last week's head knock in the State of Origin opener. Fellow NSW talent Haumole Olakau'atu is also locked in to return to the side after being rested last week. The Sea Eagles will line-up 1-19, making no further changes after Tuesday's initial team announcement.

Rabbitohs: Representative forwards Brandon Smith (calf) and David Fifita (hamstring) and centre Campbell Graham (calf) have been confirmed to return from injury. Tallis Duncan returns to the back row after spending time in the centres, with Keaon Koloamatangi shifting to the front row. Jye Gray will line up at fullback, with Matt Dufty on the six-man bench. Bronson Garlick was elevated from reserves to the interchange in the 90-minute squad update, with Moala Graham-Taufa dropping out. Liam Le Blanc was omitted in the 24-hour squad update.