Rabbitohs Chase Third Mortimer-McCarthy Cup This Friday Against Bulldogs

South Sydney and Canterbury-Bankstown renew one of the game's proudest rivalries this Friday, with the Mortimer-McCarthy Cup on the line when the Rabbitohs host the Bulldogs in round 24 at Accor Stadium.

The Mortimer-McCarthy Cup pays tribute to two of the greatest family names in Rugby League history.

Bob McCarthy

On the Rabbitohs' side, the Cup honours Bob McCarthy, one of South Sydney's greatest ever players and the man credited with revolutionising the second row position through his wide-running game. McCarthy played 211 games for the Rabbitohs across two stints, from 1963 to 1975 and again in 1978, scoring 100 tries and winning three premierships in 1967, 1970 and 1971, including a match-sealing try in the 1971 Grand Final against St George. In between, McCarthy spent two seasons at Canterbury in 1976 and 1977, during Rugby League's mid-1970s player exodus, before returning to Redfern in 1978 to see out his career in the cardinal and myrtle. He later coached the Rabbitohs, was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame, and remains a Life Member of the Club. His son Darren also went on to play for Souths.

The Mortimer Brothers

Steve, Chris and Peter Mortimer, all raised in Wagga Wagga, became the cornerstone of Canterbury-Bankstown's greatest era in the blue and white. Steve set a Club record of 272 first-grade games between 1976 and 1988, captained the Bulldogs to back-to-back premierships in 1984 and 1985, and went on to lead NSW to their first State of Origin series win in 1985. Chris and Peter played alongside their brother in that same era of success, with all three sharing in Canterbury's 1980, 1984 and 1985 premiership wins. Together with the Hughes brothers, the Mortimers helped forge the Bulldogs' reputation as "the family Club," with the group winning four premierships and reaching six grand finals across an eight-year span. All three brothers remain Life Members of Canterbury-Bankstown.

History of the Cup

The Mortimer-McCarthy Cup was launched in 2022, with both clubs running out alongside members of the McCarthy and Mortimer families to see the trophy presented at full-time. The occasion also raises funds and awareness for the Family of League Foundation, which supports members of the Rugby League community in times of need.

The Cup is locked at two wins apiece heading into Friday's clash, with the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs trading the trophy in each of the four years it has been played for.

Mortimer-McCarthy Cup Results

• 2022 – Rabbitohs won by eight points (Rd 18: Rabbitohs 36 def Bulldogs 28)
• 2023 – Bulldogs won by four points (Rd 19: Bulldogs 36 def Rabbitohs 32)
• 2024 – Rabbitohs won by four points (Rd 4: Rabbitohs 20 def Bulldogs 16)
• 2025 – Bulldogs won by six points (Rd 15: Bulldogs 24 def Rabbitohs 18)

The Rabbitohs go into the match full of confidence against this opponent, having already accounted for the Bulldogs once this year. South Sydney won the sides' round five meeting 32-24, though that clash was not a Mortimer-McCarthy Cup fixture. Friday's game at Accor Stadium is the official 2026 decider, with the trophy to be presented to the winning side immediately after full-time.