Rabbitohs v Bulldogs: Taaffe in for Mitchell; Patolo set to start
Seven years have passed since James Graham and Adam Reynolds took centre stage in an extraordinary Good Friday clash and all those who make the pilgrimage to Accor Stadium this week will be hoping for similar emotion and drama.
The Rabbitohs had beaten the Bulldogs in the 2014 grand final just six months earlier so the Good Friday 2015 game presented Graham and his men with a shot at redemption.
A controversial late penalty goal handed the Rabbitohs an 18-17 win and left the Bulldogs seething and it's fair to say the bad blood between the teams still lingers, as evidenced by last year's fiery clash which ended with Souths winning on the scoreboard but losing Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi to suspension.
With star fullback Latrell Mitchell sidelined by a hamstring injury, Walker will need to step up big time as the Rabbitohs look to continue their recent dominance of Good Friday clashes.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
The Rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: Isaiah Tass has been promoted to the 17 on game day and will make his NRL debut. Davvy Moale drops out. Siliva Havili is 18th man.
Blake Taaffe steps in to Latrell Mitchell's shoes at fullback just as he did during last year's finals series. Hame Sele is the new face on the interchange bench.
Bulldogs: Ava Seumanufagai has been added to the 17 on game day with Aaron Schoupp dropping off the bench. Corey Allan is 18th man.
Corey Waddell dropped out on Thursday due to injury and his place in the second row is taken by Chris Patolo.
Kyle Flanagan again wears the No.7 after an assured performance against the Panthers.
Match: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
Round 6 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Blake TaaffeFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Brent Naden
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane MilneCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Braidon Burns
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jake Averillo
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Josh MansourWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Chris Patolo
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Hame SeleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Brandon Wakeham
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jacob HostInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam KnightInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Joe Stimson
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Isaiah TassInterchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Ava Seumanufagai
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Siliva HaviliReplacement for Bulldogs is number 25 Corey Allan
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Lachlan Ilias v Kyle Flanagan: The two halfbacks are accustomed to the glare of the spotlight and both showed in round five that they have what it takes to deal with the pressure. Ilias produced his best game since taking over Adam Reynolds' No.7 jersey as the Rabbitohs outgunned the Dragons, while Flanagan looked comfortable in his return to the top grade as the Bulldogs put up a brave fight against the premiers. At 21, Ilias is two years younger and 37 games less experienced than Flanagan, but the rising Rabbitoh is looking more assured by the week and could be ready to cut loose if the Dogs allow him too much latitude.
Stat attack
Damien Cook (245) and Cameron Murray (227) sit first and second for most tackles across the first five rounds of the NRL. Thanks in no small part to their efforts the Bunnies are conceding just 16 points per game while the Bulldogs have leaked an average of 22 points a match.
