Sparks are expected to fly at Accor Stadium when the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs meet at Accor Stadium for the annual Good Friday clash.
Since the first Good Friday clash between the old rivals in 2007, there has been plenty of big moments, including the fiery 2015 encounter when Adam Reynolds and James Graham took centre stage as the Bunnies prevailed 18-17.
After celebrating his return to the NRL in the thrilling golden point win over the Cowboys on Sunday, club legend Josh Reynolds is set to play his first Good Friday match since leading the Bulldogs to a stunning 24-9 victory in 2017.
The Rabbitohs have made Good Friday their own in recent years, winning seven of 10 clashes since 2012, including a 36-16 victory last year on the back of Damien Cook's first career hat-trick.
South Sydney will be hungry for redemption after several frustrating losses this season, falling to the Panthers by just six points, the Roosters by two and most recently the Storm by eight and the next month doesn’t get much easier with Friday’s match followed by clashes with the Dolphins, Panthers and Broncos.
Jason Demetriou won't be content with sitting 13th heading into Round 6 and will need his men to clean up last week’s errors (11) and completion rates (77 per cent) if they're to bring home the chocolates.
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Team News
Bulldogs:Jacob Preston (hand) didn't train on Wednesday while Max King (eye) did, but on light duties, but have both been named to play an hour out from the game. Sam Hughes goes into the 17, with Jackson Tanner dropping out. Reece Hoffman is the replacement player in the squad. The new faces in Cameron Ciraldo's 17 are Harrison Edwards at lock and Jackson Topine, with Franklin Pele (arm), Jayden Okunbor (suspension) and Raymond Faitala-Mariner (concussion) unavailable.
Rabbitohs:Prop Tevita Tatola has been named to return from a knee injury so Daniel Suluka-Fifita goes to the bench and Michael Chee Kam to 18th man. Tatola was named to play in the 24-hour update for the Good Friday showdown in a boost for the cardinal and myrtle and there were no late changes to the side an hour from kick off.
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Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have not defeated the Rabbitohs on Good Friday since 2017.
- The Rabbitohs have won nine of their past 11 games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 14 tries in 12 games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell will make his 150th NRL appearance.
- The Bulldogs have won four of their past five games at Accor Stadium.
- Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz leads the NRL in offloads with 18.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.