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
9th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Bulldogs: Just the one change for Cameron Ciraldo after barnstorming back-rower Sitili Tupouniua suffering another hamstring injury last week. He is replaced on the bench by Alekolasimi Jones in his fourth NRL game and first Round 16.
Rabbitohs: 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. Winger Campbell Graham (calf) is back on deck so Jye Gray slides to the bench. Jamie Humphreys is out with an ankle injury. The new faces on the bench are Euan Aitken, Ed Kosi and Peter Mamouzelos.
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 14 Jye Gray
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry HayesInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Alekolasimi JonesInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Euan Aitken
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Bronson XerriInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake TurpinInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Edward Kosi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jack UnderhillReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Jonah Glover
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Sean O'SullivanReserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Liam Le Blanc
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jonathan SuaReserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 John Radel
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Jack Underhill
- Jonathan Sua
- Sean O'Sullivan
Rabbitohs Ins
- Campbell Graham
- Edward Kosi
- Euan Aitken
- John Radel
- Jonah Glover
- Liam Le Blanc
- Peter Mamouzelos
Bulldogs Outs
- Sitili Tupouniua
Rabbitohs Ins
- Ashton Ward
- Jamie Humphreys
- Moala Graham-Taufa
- Thomas Fletcher
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.
