Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium, Thursday 7.45pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 78 Rabbitohs 66 drawn 4
Last clash: Round seven, 2014 - Bulldogs 15 bt Rabbitohs 14 at ANZ Stadium
Ladbrokes: Bulldogs $3.40, Rabbitohs $1.33
Betfair: Bulldogs $3.70, Rabbitohs $1.36
AAP writes: Souths received a lesson in finals football in their last-start loss to the surging Cowboys and will be keen to show they have learnt from that. Prop George Burgess' return from suspension is a big inclusion for the Rabbitohs up against the Bulldogs' pack that is of equal or even bigger size. Canterbury have been off the pace in recent weeks and their lacklustre last-round win over the hapless Wests Tigers did little to quieten the critics. But a win here will certainly do that. Josh Reynolds is still sidelined due to suspension with Moses Mbye again filling in at five-eighth. On paper, the Dogs look outgunned and lack the game breakers like Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess that the visitors possess. Canterbury made a habit of winning the close games earlier in the season. But that form seems to be eluding them probably because their rivals have stepped it up a gear and they can't keep pace.
Key: Trent Hodkinson has to have a whale of a game for the Bulldogs to stay in the picture.
Good evening all, we're about five minutes from kick-off here in Sydney, with both teams lining up as named. Should be a Thursday night cracker here.
Warm up underway @ANZStadium ahead of the clash with @SSFCRABBITOHS #NRLCBYSOU pic.twitter.com/R74P8TtaNw — NRL Bulldogs (@NRL_Bulldogs) August 28, 2014
It's a pretty fair night out at Homebush, 13 degrees and dry. The Bulldogs thumped the Tigers at home last week, but you'd be brave to back them to score anywhere close to 30 points tonight against this Rabbitohs defence. The Rabbitohs were out-thought by the Cowboys last round, and will be looking to get their finals momentum up and running again. I'm tipping Souths by 10.
The ANZ Stadium surface looks in good condition despite the recent heavy rain.
Brad Fittler is helping the Bulldogs halves with their kicking game by passing to them in the warm up as he takes a break from his Channel Nine duties.
Which ever forward pack gets on top will win. South Sydney by eight.
Souths-8.5, Dylan Walker first try scorer, Souths by 16. #tuxbet — Jon Tuxworth (@Tuxy81) August 28, 2014
Aaand we're off. Trent Hodkinson gets us underway, kicking towards the north end.
Reynolds gets dropped by Michael Ennis in a big hit on the third tackle. He gets up, and Ennis gives him a cheeky jab to the chin.
The Bulldogs get a penalty, and will start the attack about 30m out. They go all the way right to Lafai, who gets held about 10m short. Graham puts in a good fend and offload, and things are looking good for the visitors until Hodkinson kicks on the fifth, and Jackson fumbles it on the line. So close. Souths can run clear.
Tonight's kick off bingo winning number pic.twitter.com/DTAoMxepyl — Dan Ginnane (@DanGinnane) August 28, 2014
Souths make good ground, but turn it over as Tuqiri puts it down on the 10m line. Strong start form Graham and Ennis for the men in blue and white.
Bit of drama here, as Hodkinson is penalised for taking out George Burgess off the ball following a chargedown. Penalty, 15m out. Luke will tap and go.
Luke slips a tackle as Souths go left. He is tackled a couple of metres short and catches Ennis in the head with a boot in the washup. He'll go on report. Strange one that, but a kick-out that will be scrutinised nonetheless.
The opening try goes to the Bulldogs. as they work a three on two down the left. Josh Morris draws his man, and it's the easiest finish for Mitch Brown out by the flag. Hodkinson puts it straight between the posts for the extras. BULLDOGS 6 RABBITOHS 0
Luke has carry over points. Problem — Dan Ginnane (@DanGinnane) August 28, 2014
The Souths come right up the middle, but McQueen drops the ball on the fourth after good hit ups from Walker and Burgess to get Souths in position. Scrappy start from the Rabbits here. 10 gone.
Perrett and Lafai prove elusive as the Dogs probe right, then left. They go the short side, but the Souths defence scrambles well, and force Mbye into touch.
