Panthers v Rabbitohs: Kenny back from ban; Cody good to go

Having lost back-to-back games for the first time since Round 8-9 last year, the Panthers will be hell bent on getting back on track against a Rabbitohs side down on troops and down on confidence.

The loss to Canberra saw the premiers drop from second to fourth on the ladder, and with the red-hot Bulldogs yapping at their heels in fifth, they need to steady the ship against South and the Titans to ensure a top-four spot.

With their main man Nathan Cleary sidelined at least until the finals, the Panthers are relying on Jarome Luai to take control and kick-start their attack in conjunction with Brad Schneider.

The Rabbitohs have lost six of their past seven matches and have only the Eels and Wests Tigers behind them on the ladder - a massive fall from grace for a side that played in four preliminary finals in five seasons between 2018 and 2022.

The return of Cody Walker from concussion will provide a boost but the Rabbitohs appear to be crawling to the finish line in 2024 before embarking on a new era under Wayne Bennett in 2025.