As it happened: Bunnies bury Bulldogs; Phins shut out Sea Eagles

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Full-time: A statement victory for the Rabbitohs significantly dampens the Dogs' finals aspirations. Down on troops, Rabbitohs reserve recruits Matt Dufty and Jayden Sullivan stood up for the red and green to ensure their side remains in finals contention. Dufty finished the match with an incredible 301 run metres and two line breaks to go with his try. Meanwhile, Cameron Murray made 55 tackles with just two misses.

80 min: The Rabbitohs have another roll of the dice with Dufty pouncing on a loose ball in the in-goal but the bunker ruled a no try with the ball being grounded by Mann earlier in the play. 

78 min: The Bunnies take the tap and go right on the third play to expose the Bulldogs' left edge defence and send Dufty over for a well-earned try. Rabbitohs 22-6.

77 min: Smith wins another one back for the Rabbitohs, intercepting a Max King offload. Kurt Mann is placed on report for a high tackle on Smith and the Rabbitohs get a penalty in Bulldogs territory.

74 min: A one-two punch with Crichton regathering a Galvin chip and punting the ball over the top again, but once again the Rabbitohs' scramble in defence.

71 min: The Bunnies look to cross over the line but the try is called back for a mutual infringement between referee Ashley Klein and Crichton. 

70 min: The Bulldogs are on the front foot before Brandon Smith wrestles back momentum for his side with a one-on-one strip.

62 min: The Bulldogs build pressure in their attacking zone and repeat sets finally pay off with Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton linking up to create space for Tuala on the outside. Rabbitohs 18-6.

47 min: A great moment for Campbell Graham in his return from injury. Jayden Sullivan puts in a towering last tackle kick and Graham beats Tuala in the contest for a spectacular finish in the corner. Rabbitohs 18-0.

46 min: Another horror offload from Kiraz hands the balls back to the Rabbitohs who go on the hunt.

43 min: Bronson Xerri enters the contest for the Bulldogs with Rinakama ruled out with a knee injury.

42 min: On just the third play, Matt Dufty takes the ball to the line and tips on to Duncan who crashes over for South Sydney's third try. Rabbitohs 14-0.

41 min: A horror start for the Bulldogs with Bailey Hayward spilling the ball off the kick off. 

Half-time: The Rabbitohs take a ten-point lead to the sheds, completing 22 of their 25 sets and having two line breaks compared to the Bulldogs' zero. Fullback Matt Dufty was a standout, running 151 metres with the ball, a line break and two tackle breaks.

39 min: The Bulldogs get a golden chance before the half-time buzzer after earning repeat sets in their attacking zone. Jacob Preston burrows his way to the line but the try is disallowed for double movement.

39 min: Fifita leaves the field for a HIA after a big hit from Kikau which he later passes.

29 min: The Bunnies work their way back downfield and swing the ball from the left edge to the right and Duncan and Alex Johnston combine to send the veteran winger over for his 26th try of the season. Rabbitohs 10-0.

26 min: Kiraz takes a fifth tackle kick in the air and attempts to offload the ball 5 metres from the line and coughs up the football. The Bulldogs get out of jail free with Euan Aitken coughing up the football early in the attacking set.

23 min: The Rabbitohs work their way downfield after back-to-back penalties from Kikau and it's David Fifita who gets the bounce on a perfectly weighted Cody Walker grubber to open the scoreboard. Rabbitohs 6-0.

16 min: Galvin opts to kick early in the set to a vacant try line but the ball beats his teammates to the dead ball line.

16 min: The Bulldogs are on the attack and earn a repeat after Tallis Duncan is pinned for a dangerous tackle.

13 min: Lachie Galvin goes high for an attacking kick and Jethro Rinakama wins the contest but more desperate defence in goal denies the Bulldogs another try. Score remains 0-0.

12 min: Worrying signs for the Rabbitohs with Adam Elliott leaving the field with a groin concern following a tackle on Jacob Kiraz. He is later ruled out.

9 min: The Bulldogs charge their way downfield and a steaming Viliame Kikau finds Crichton in space who is held by Jack Wighton who comes up with a superb try saver.

6 min: Souths golden opportunity is short lived after an error from Keaon Koloamatangi on the first play.

5 min: The Bulldogs concede their first penalty of the match through Leo Thompson for a dangerous tackle on the kicker.

3 min: Rabbitohs get off to a shaky set with David Fifita penalised for being offside in their first attacking set.

 

Late Mail

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.

 

Sea Eagles v Dolphins at 4 Pines Park

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Full-time: The Dolphins can now set their sights on a top-four finish after a commanding victory at 4 Pines Park on Friday night. Gun playmaker Isaiya Katoa looks to be entering finals season in terrific with several try involvements while Jeremy Marshall-King was a workhorse in the middle, making 51 tackles.

76 min: Manly throw in a captain's challenge after Garrick's kick off doesn't make 10 metres but are unsuccessful.

74 min: The Dolphins put match out of reach with Isaako going over untouched in the corner courtesy of some nice lead up work from Tabuai-Fidow. Dolphins 22-0.

72 min: Manly look to have one more roll of the dice with Hopoate contending for best finish of the match however the bunker ruled his left arm went into touch.

67 min: Manly have an opportunity to put some points on the board but another opportunity goes begging with Olakau'atu knocking the ball on.

62 min: Manly are on the attack but any chance of a comeback is put to bed when a Walsh long ball is intercepted by Isaako who almost makes the distance before finding Jack Bostock in support to finish the runaway try. Isaako's kick is wide. Dolphins 18-0.

58 min: The Dolphins carry the ball downfield in the next set and some slick hands find Cobbo for a spectacular finish in the corner. Dolphins 12-0.

57 min: After returning from his stint in the bin, Lemuelu leaves the field with a hamstring concern and is ruled out for the remainder of the match.

57 min: Manly fans are on their feet! Walsh forces an error from Finefeuiaki and a steaming Rueben Garrick picks up the ball and finds Saab in space but the pass is called forward.

51 min: Cobbo gets one back on the next set, jamming in to force a wayward pass out of Faulalo and Saab puts it down.

50 min: Dolphins send the ball left to put Selwyn Cobbo in space on the edge but Clayton Faulalo closes the space and forces the error with a jarring cover tackle.

46 min: The Dolphins escape the first five mans with one man down as the two sides continue to battle it out for field position with no mistakes.

Half-time: The Sea Eagles will have a one-man advantage for the first five minutes of the second half and have an opportunity to bounce back from their eight-point deficit. Manly had 53 per cent of possession with the Dolphins making three more errors and conceding two more penalties despite taking the lead into the sheds.

36 min: We're down to 12 on 12 with Connelly Lemuelu  sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.

30 min: With a one-man advantage, the Dolphins send the ball right and veteran playmaker Kodi Nikorima shows his class with a show-and-go to power over the line. Dolphins 8-0.

29 min: Jeremy Marshall-King scoots finds the defenders offside after scooting from dummy half and Koula is sent to the bin for a professional foul after attempting to tackle the hooker.

26 min: Manly defuse the last tackle play however a high tackle against Saab gives the visitors a chance to post the first points of the match with Isaako slotting a penalty goal. Dolphins 2-0.

25 min: Manly come up with an error to break the stalemate and the Dolphins go on the attack for the first time in the match. 

21 min: The two sides continue to trade sets with points still yet to be scored.

17 min: Dolphins' defence holds firm, with Isaako diving on a wayward pass from Walsh.

14 min: Manly are straight back on the attack with Lehi Hopoate coming up with a huge cover tackle on Jamayne Isaako to push the winger into touch.

13 min: The Sea Eagles go left but the home side fail to capitalise with Tolutau Koula throwing a forward pass.

12 min: Manly continues to build pressure with back-to-back last tackle offside penalties against the visitors.

9 min: An unsuccessful captains challenge on a Tabuai-Fidow knock on followed by an obstruction penalty invites Manly into the Red Zone.

6 min: Manly threaten the line but the ball is handed over with Joey Walsh throwing a forward pass.

5 min: Jason Saab and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow compete for a Jamal Fogarty bomb and Manly are on the attack after a knock on is ruled against the Dolphins.

4 min: The two sides trade sets early with no mistakes and the Sea Eagles start another set from inside their own 10m line after an Isaiya Katoa bomb.

Late Mail

Sea Eagles: One late switch in the pack with Fletcher Baker starting at prop and  Nathan Brown going to the bench. Clayton Faulalo takes the No.1 jersey in his return from a hamstring injury and Lehi Hopoate moves to the wing. Prop Hugo Hart joins the bench for his NRL debut. 

Dolphins: Tom Gilbert will start the game and Francis Molo goes to the bench in a late change 90 minutes before kick-off. Jake Averillo dropped out of the squad on Thursday after initially being named for his first NRL appearance since Round 19. Tevita Naufahu has been added to the bench. Ray Stone is back from a neck injury to fill the hole left by Kurt Donoghoe (thumb). 

Numbers Game

• The Sea Eagles have scored a half century of points in three of their four games against the Dolphins.
• Dolphins winger Selwyn Cobbo has scored 11 tries in his last eight games.
• The Sea Eagles have conceded 128 points in their last three games.
• Winger Jamayne Isaako requires nine points for 1000 points for the Dolphins.
• Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula will make his 100th NRL appearance.