Bulldogs v Rabbitohs: Jones steps up; Sullivan steers ship
The Bulldogs and Rabbitohs renew their fierce rivalry at Accor Stadium, the venue of their 2014 grand final clash and the infamous 2015 Good Friday showdown.
Plenty of water has flowed under the bridge since then but history tells us the Bulldogs have not been back to a grand final since 2014 and the Rabbitohs only once, when they lost to Penrith in 2021.
The Bulldogs were riding high heading into last week's clash with the Roosters and will be left to rue the one that got away after they led 18-8 with 15 minutes to play.
The Rabbitohs raced to a big lead of their own on Saturday night against the Eels (28-0) before falling in a hole and almost allowing the biggest comeback in NRL history to play out.
In the end it took a miraculous 40-20 kick from Cody Walker in the 79th minute to ensure the Bunnies would hold on to seventh spot with four games to play.
Match: Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Round 24 -
home Team
Bulldogs
10th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Bulldogs: Cameron Ciraldo's team remain 1-17 with no late changes 90 minutes before kick-off. Giant back-rower Alekolasimi Jones comes in for his fourth NRL game in place of the unlucky Sitili Tupouniua, who suffered another hamstring injury in his comeback game against the Roosters. Tupouniua spent seven weeks on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring in Round 16. No changes to the top 19 in the Thursday squad update, with Sean O'Sullivan retained as 20th man.
Rabbitohs: No late changes for Wayne Bennett's side with Campbell Graham set to make his return from a calf injury on the wing. The loss of halfback Ashton Ward to a season-ending hamstring injury brings Jayden Sullivan in at halfback for just his third game in the starting side in 2026. Graham's return will see Jye Gray slide to the bench. Euan Aitken, Ed Kosi and Peter Mamouzelos have been added to the six-man interchange.
Match: Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Round 24 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt BurtonCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Tallis Duncan
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari TualaCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro RinakamaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen CrichtonFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden Sullivan
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Adam Elliott
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Euan Aitken
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Bronson XerriInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi JonesReserve for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jye Gray
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake TurpinReserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Edward Kosi
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won five of their last six games at Accor Stadium.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 13 tries in his last 11 games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has scored 11 tries in 14 games against the Rabbitohs.
- The Rabbitohs have conceded an average of over 29 points per game since Round 18.
- Bulldogs centre Matt Burton requires three points for 700 career points.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
A top-eight spot is on the line when the Bulldogs host the Rabbitohs in a Friday-night blockbuster at Accor Stadium. Use the code FridayCrew to get four tickets for the price of two. Click here to access this exclusive offer before it's gone.
