The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs have developed a tradition on Good Friday; an occasion that is now circled in most Rugby League calendars.
Souths and Bulldogs matches have always been filled with passion. Who could forget Sam Burgess' charge at Michael Ennis, or the 2014 Final and James Graham's 'dropped pie' dig at an outraged Burgess?
The rivalry runs deep and is fuelled by some of the loudest and most passionate fans of all the League. Despite all the passion over the years, no game in history could come close to having more feeling than this:
2017 Round 7, Bulldogs v Rabbitohs
Turn back the clock to 2017 and it was the battle of the season when the Bulldogs lined up against the Bunnies for their annual Good Friday clash.
As the Bulldogs celebrated a third straight victory at ANZ Stadium (now the Bulldogs home of Accor Stadium), chants rung out "sign him up, sign him up".
They were shouting about the man affectionately dubbed, 'the Grub' - Canterbury's inspirational five-eighth, Josh Reynolds.
Before a crowd of 35,984 on Good Friday - a similar crowd number to what is expected this Friday - then coach, Des Hasler's men pulled away from the Rabbitohs by 15 points when they nabbed three late tries in the final 17 minutes of the match.
It was an electric, off-contract, Reynolds who led the way, scoring one try off his own kick, having a hand in another, and delivering the ultimate try-saving tackle to create the turning point in the gritty match.
It was Reynolds who combined with teammate Brett Morris to drag down a runaway South's Adam Reynolds just mere inches from the try line in the 54th minute. His massive effort, born of desperation, truly epitomised the never-say-die attitude of a Bulldog.
Perseverance and effort. Those were the words used to describe Josh Reynolds' performance that day.
"They're the things we pride ourselves on," a young Reynolds said post-match.
It just shows the will and the fight that we do have inbuilt in us.
Then Captain and Bulldogs great, James Graham added:
"I genuinely think that might of been the difference today. You look at some of the other stuff he [Reynolds] did - to chase his own kick.
"For me, that was such a huge inspirational play - kick, chase it, score the try, never-give-up attitude in both defense and attack. You saw that from him today."
After the heroics of Reynolds and Morris, the Bulldogs turned on the afterburners to score the three tries in 10 minutes and secure the victory 24-9 over South Sydney who had no answers in the second half.
It would be one of the last games Reynolds would play under the Bulldogs badge in that year... but it wasn't to be his last.
While he was the heartbeat of that 2017 match, the last Good Friday victory that the Bulldogs can lay claim to over the Rabbitohs, fans and Bulldogs faithfuls can take pride in the Bulldogs finding their bite again.
Returning to the field to proudly don the blue and white again, Reynolds took to the field from the bench for his first NRL match with the 'Dogs in almost six years, last weekend against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Showing just a glimpse of what he can bring to the side, he was in it from the very minute he stepped out and played an integral part in the golden point win.
Gritty. Determined. The words now being used to describe a young 2023 Bulldogs side, one that looked to emulate the effort of yesteryears in last weekends' match.
"Whether he got on the field or not, he'd made our team a better team from what he brought here every day," Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo said of the favourite son's Belmore home-coming.
"It's a credit to him how hard that he's worked, that he did get on the field and he made our team a better team for being out there."
As the Bulldogs prepare to take on the Rabbitohs tomorrow, Reynolds will be on-hand to help them find their bite again, named at interchange following last weeks' electric win.
His game day role to bring some energy around the middles, and Ciraldo is confident that Reynolds is the right man for the job.
"We know what Josh Reynolds brings. He competes, he brings energy, he's enthusiastic and we are excited to see that come out."
With a 30,000+ crowd expected at Accor Stadium this Friday, be sure to get in quick to secure your seats to one of Rugby League’s most heated rivalries. All tickets include free public transport to and from Accor Stadium (trains and buses).
Tickets available here, or via a Bulldogs Membership.
To read more about the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs Good Friday history, see here.
