Bulldogs v Rabbitohs: Lachlan Lewis recalled to face unchanged Bunnies
The Bulldogs will be searching hard for a win so the Rabbitohs will have to watch that complacency doesn't cause a hiccup in their quest for their first hat-trick of victories in 2021.
The Bulldogs have now conceded 52 points without landing a punch - losing 28-0 to the Panthers and then 24-0 to the Broncos in rounds two and three.
Fortunes are the complete opposite for South Sydney, with five tries to beat Manly and four to roll the Roosters.
So while this traditional Good Friday match might not have the close rivalry of past years - it's 15th versus 6th on the ladder - the Rabbitohs need to bring the right attitude.
Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Match: Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Round 4 -
home Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: Dummy-half Jeremy Marshall-King suffered a mid-foot ligament injury against the Broncos and will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks. Sione Katoa has been named to replace him at hooker.
Nick Meaney moves to fullback in a straight swap with Corey Allan, while Lachlan Lewis gets a recall at five-eighth with Jake Averillo sidelined by an ankle injury.
Josh Jackson's suspension for a crusher tackle opens the door for Renouf Atoni to start while Jackson Topine and Dean Britt are the new faces on the bench.
Averillo and Chris Smith were the first two players omitted from the 21-man squad on Thursday. Brandon Wakeham and Matt Doorey were dropped an hour before kick-off to leave the Dogs 1-17.
Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and English forward Luke Thompson are due back from suspension in round five.
Rabbitohs: No changes to the 17 which took care of arch-rivals the Roosters in impressive fashion in round three.
Prop Junior Tatola did not train with the side on Monday due to a hamstring niggle but will play. Fellow prop Liam Knight has been ruled out indefinitely after suffering a head knock at training in February.
Dean Hawkins and Troy Dargan were cut from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off. Steven Marsters and Jacob Host suffered the same fate on game day.
Hame Sele (ribs) is at least another two weeks away while Taane Milne (knee), Braidon Burns (knee) and Blake Taaffe (ankle) are looking at around another month on the sideline.
Match: Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Round 4 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Corey AllanWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will HopoateCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Nick CotricCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Tuipulotu KatoaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Josh Mansour
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Lachlan LewisFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Dylan NapaProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Thomas Burgess
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione KatoaHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Jack HetheringtonProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Tevita Tatola
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Adam Elliott2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Renouf AtoniLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jackson TopineInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Benji Marshall
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Dean BrittInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Mark Nicholls
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Joe StimsonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Patrick Mago
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ofahiki OgdenInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai Arrow
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Will Hopoate v Dane Gagai: The veterans face off with Hopoate eager to contain his opposite centre in Gagai. We know the potency of the whole Rabbitohs left edge but Hopoate is a good defender - he made 26 tackles against the Broncos last weekend despite being in a losing side.
Gagai is one try short of 60 for his NRL career so far, and this game presents a first-class opportunity to reach that milestone.
Stat attack
Is 26 the Rabbitohs' new favourite number? They scored 26 points to beat Manly and then 26 points again to down the Roosters. Don't forget the Bulldogs beat the Rabbitohs the last time these two met in Round 19 last September - by, wait for it, 26-16.
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