NRL Round Seven Preview: Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs 2025
South Sydney will take on Canterbury-Bankstown in the traditional Good Friday clash this Friday afternoon at Accor Stadium. This will be the thirteenth Good Friday encounter between these two sides, with the Rabbitohs holding a highly impressive record having won nine of the previous 12 matches.
The Rabbitohs have begun their 2025 campaign strongly, sitting in fifth place with a record of four wins and two losses, recording victories over the Dolphins, Dragons, Panthers and Roosters in the opening six weeks of the competition.
With the Bulldogs undefeated at the top of the table, this game is the perfect opportunity for South Sydney to make a statement about their premiership credentials.
Jai Arrow: “It’s obviously a pretty cool feeling knowing that there’ll be 50-60 odd thousand there.”
Jai Arrow is no stranger to big games, having played in Origins, Grand Finals and two previous Good Friday matches in his long career. As far as regular season games go, it’s not easy to top Good Friday, and Arrow is very excited that he and his teammates have the opportunity to take down the top-of-the-table Bulldogs on such a big stage.
“It’s amazing what Rugby League can do when both teams are travelling really well. The 'Dogs are obviously the top team in the competition at the moment… It’s obviously a pretty cool feeling knowing that there’ll be 50-60 odd thousand there. It’s Easter, it’s an exciting time of year and we’re really excited as a team to get an opportunity in front of a packed house to re-right our wrongs.”
Lachlan Hubner: “He’s definitely been an idol of mine for a long time.”
Lachlan Hubner has been relishing his opportunity for an extended run in first grade, which has arisen due to the unfortunate Achilles injury to South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray in the preseason. Hubner has idolised Murray in the past and has modelled many aspects of his game on Murray’s, particularly his attention to the effort areas of the game, making him an ideal replacement for the captain in this situation.
“It’s definitely the sort of position I’ve got a bit of experience in. To lose Cam (Murray) was unfortunate. He’s definitely been an idol of mine for a long time. It would’ve been good to pull the jersey on alongside him. Hopefully I can just keep playing well and putting my best foot forward, and putting in my effort areas too which is what he does.”
Peter Mamouzelos: “We’ve just got to be better with our completions.”
Peter Mamouzelos has identified completion rate and middle defence as areas that need work coming off last week’s loss to the Cowboys in Perth. Mamouzelos is well aware of the challenge facing he and his teammates when they take on the undefeated Bulldogs on Friday, but is also confident that if they can improve these aspects of their game, they’ll have what it takes to get the job done.
“Obviously they’re (the Bulldogs) a really good footy team. Still undefeated. The only team that’s undefeated so far. We’ve just got to be better with our completions. We gave Cowboys too much ball and were a bit loose around the middle so we need to tighten up. I think we’re going to do a good job… hopefully we can improve and be better this Friday.”
Wayne Bennett: "They are all fit to play. The team we named is all good to go."
Wayne Bennett has confirmed that Campbell Graham and Cody Walker are fit to play ahead of our Good Friday clash against the Bulldogs. Speaking after the Captain’s Run, Bennett said he was pleased to have both experienced players available and ready to go.
Team Changes
South Sydney will welcome back captain Cody Walker from a hamstring injury suffered against the Roosters in round five. He will come into the side at halfback in place of Jayden Sullivan, who has been ruled out due to a one-week suspension.
Campbell Graham also makes his return having not played since suffering a lower leg injury against the Sharks in round three. He has been named on the wing – the position in which he began his career.
Finally, English import Lewis Dodd has been named to make his South Sydney and NRL debut in this clash in the 14 jersey.
Recent Results
- Round four, 2024 – Rabbitohs 20-16 Bulldogs (Accor Stadium)
- Round 19, 2023 – Bulldogs 36-32 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)
- Round six, 2023 – Rabbitohs 50-16 Cowboys (Accor Stadium)
- Round 18, 2022 – Rabbitohs 36-28 Cowboys (Accor Stadium)
- Round six, 2022 – Rabbitohs 36-16 Cowboys (Accor Stadium)
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Date: Friday 18th April
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Where to Watch: Purchase Tickets Here
