As it happened: Bulldogs do just enough to deny Rabbitohs

Post game

Rabbitohs

Bulldogs

Fulltime: Despite a late fightback, the Bulldogs have prevailed 24-18 and post yet another win after denying a gutsy Bunnies outfit.

79th min: The Bunnies refuse to die wondering and off a scrum, have a great try to Tyrone Munro who chased a 'surprise' kick from Isaiah Tass down the left side. They opt to take the kick, but once again, Humphrey's can't convert and they trail 24-18. 

78th min: The Bulldogs get a penalty and take the two, with Sexton successful with the kick. Much more breathing space now with the clock winding down with a 28-14 lead. 

72nd min: It's been an eventful few minutes - and the Rabbitohs are back in the hunt with Jack Wighton going over down the left touchline after a break from Duncan. Humphreys can't convert and it's 22-14 to the Bulldogs. 

70th min: The Bulldogs get a try taken off them after Reed Mahoney is deemed to be offside.

Injury update: Rabbitohs have a few players off the field, with Jayden Sulliven going up the tunnel. Keaon Koloamatangi is also off with a HIA.

63rd min: Jake Turpin is sent to the sin bin after a dangerous tackle on Rabbitoh winger Tyrone Munroe, getting him high. 

61st min: Montoya has his second and helps the Bulldogs get back on track after the Bunnies were threatening to go on a roll. Off the back of a Rabbitohs error, the Bulldogs put their field position to good use, going swiftly to their left where their winger provided the finish. Sexton can't convert and it's 22-10 to the Bulldogs. 

59th min: The Bunnies are the first to score in the second half with Tallis Duncan sliding over after bursting through a big gap in the defence. Humphreys converts and the home side trail 18-10. 

50th min: A bit of a scare for Bulldogs fans with Jacob Kiraz staying down with apparent pain in his heck and shoulders, but after getting some treatment, he's back up and taking his place on the field.

41st min: Players are back on the field after a shortened halftime break, with the Bunnies going on the attack first.

Halftime: A half that's had everything sees the Bulldogs take an 18-4 lead into the sheds. The Bulldogs were dominant early and raced to an 18-0 lead only 15 minutes into the game, but the Bunnies have tried hard to stem the flow. The game - and the Bulldogs momentum - was halted due to a storm passing overhead with lightning forcing the players off the field. When the game returned, the Rabbitohs had obviously enjoyed the opportunity to regroup and showed firstly some strength in defence and were rewarded with a try just before the break.

39th min: Some joy for the Rabbitohs who get an important try before halftime with Alex Johnston adding to his impressive tally. There was a lot to clear from the Bunker with hands and bodies from both sides trying to get the ball, but it was Johnston who was calm enough to bring it down to score. Jamie Humphreys can't convert and the Bunnies trail 18-4.

37th min: The Bunnies have found some defensive steel during the enforced weather break and have denied Viliame Kikau three times with some desperate defence on their own line.

32min: After a 28 minute delay, play has resumed at Accor Stadium, with the Bulldogs holding an 18-0 lead over the Rabbitohs.

GAME SUSPENDED - 32nd min: Lightning has stopped play with 8.49 minutes to go in the opening half. A safety first approach has been taken with players coming off the field until deemed safe to resume play.

The last time a game was stopped for extreme weather was ANZAC Day, 2015. Read about that game below:

18th min: A successful captain's challenge from the Bulldogs after Jacob Kiraz was originally deemed to have knocked the ball on. 

16th min: The Bulldogs go bang-bang, taking the ball out to the right with Blake Wilson making a break before passing to Connor Tracey supporting inside who goes in to score. Sexton converts again and it's out to 18-0.

13th min: The Bulldogs are in a groove and go over for another try, taking it out left for Marcelo Montoyato to finish the play and score after being given possession following some sloppy play from the Bunnies. Sexton converts and it's 12-0. 

7th min: Try time for the Bulldogs who run it on the last tackle, with Jacob Kiraz getting a ball out to Toby Sexton who goes in to score. The halfback converts his own try for an early 6-0 lead. 

Kick off: The visiting Bulldogs have first use of the ball and will be looking to repeat their performance in the recent King's Birthday win over the Bunnies. 

Late Mail

Rabbitohs: A change on game day with Ryan Gray coming onto the bench, with Sean Keppie the new 18th player. Jayden Sullivan and Jamie Humphreys will link in the halves after Cody Walker succumbed to a groin injury. Campbell Graham remains sidelined with back spasms that forced him to withdraw from last week's loss to the Raiders. Jye Gray is back as fullback with Latrell Mitchell in NSW camp. 

Bulldogs: Blake Taafe will come from the bench in a late game-day change. Lipoi Hopoi is the new 18th player. Lachlan Galvin will start for the first time in Bulldogs colours after Matt Burton was called into the Blues squad. Jacob Kiraz also joined NSW camp on Thursday as cover for Brian To'o, but he was back at training on Friday preparing to face Souths. With Stephen Crichton on Origin duty, Kiraz shifts to the centres and Blake Wilson comes in on the wing. Jacob Preston is back on deck from a suspension and is straight into the starting side, while Josh Curran will start at prop with Max King in the NSW team. 

Sunday stroll down memory lane 

To get into the mood before the two teams face off this afternoon, here's a flashback to the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs facing off during Round 21 of the 1986 NSWRL season: