Bunnies chase the Dogs back into the kennel

A physical clash produced a 21-14 win for the South-Sydney Rabbitohs over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. 20,424 passionate fans witnessed the battle as both teams aim to surge through the finals. The Bulldogs were looking to take 4th place on the ladder, whilst the Rabbitohs still chasing the minor premiership.

Isaac Luke was put on report in the 6th minute for kicking out of the tackle and planting his foot straight into Michael Ennis' face. This helped produce an early try to the Bulldogs in the 7th minute. Some short-side magic created a 3 on 2 advantage sending Mitch Brown over. Hodkinson converted the try, handing the Bulldogs an early 6-0 lead, helping build the Dogs' confidence going into this big clash.

The physicality of each team was prevailing through many hard-hits, producing some uncharacteristic errors for both parties - the Bulldogs especially digging right through the Rabbitohs.

A couple of classic Michael Ennis vs. The Ref arguments later resulted in the Rabbitohs deeply invading the Bulldogs' territory. A quick inside pass from Luke Keary set up the man of the moment: Mr. Sam Burgess. Adam Reynolds added the extras, making the score 6-all at the 29th minute.

The battle continued but a no-look pass from James Graham sent Sam Perrett flying down the middle of the field. Unfortunately for the Dogs, they could not capitalise as a forward pass 10m out from the line led to Rabbitohs coming up with the ball. Though, the Rabbitohs weren't any better and dropped the ball, letting the Dogs come up with it 20m out from the line.

A dummy from Michael Ennis set himself up for a 4-pointer. A quick look upstairs checked the grounding, and the Dogs were back in the lead 10-6 at the 34th minute. Hodkinson extended the lead with another pin-point kick, bringing the score to 12-6 right before half time.

The second half begun with the Dogs handing over penalties as if they were vouchers and the Souths did not waste any opportunity. A dummy from Luke Keary in the 45th minute sent Sam Burgess for his second try of the night. Reynolds once again added the 2 points; Souths levelling the score early in the second half.

Sam Burgess was found grabbing his hip and sent through the tunnels. A penalty against the Souths for having a hand on the ball caused Hodkinson to kick for goal and extended the lead 14-12 in the 54th minute.

A dangerous lift from Adam Reynolds resulted in him being put on-report and instigated a push and shove with almost every player from each team. This didn't stop the Rabbitohs, though, as Chris McQueen blitzed past all the Doggies but an ankle-tap stopped the momentum.

Time was slowly creeping away during this tug-o-war, when in the 72nd minute the Rabbitohs got a repeat set. A monster pass from Adam Reynolds set up the veteran of Lote Tuqiri in the corner. Another successful conversion later, and the Rabbitohs were back in it, 4 points with less than 10 minutes to go.

A miracle penalty to the Rabbitohs in the 76th minute led to a successful penalty goal kicked by none other than Reynolds. This followed by a beauty of a field goal from the number 7, sealing the 21-14 victory for Souths who after this sit in 1st place on the NRL premiership ladder.

The Dogs were very physical throughout the game but couldn't hang on especially in the final 10 minutes. They remain in 6th position.

The Rabbitohs' next challenge will be the Roosters at Allianz in the opening game of Round 26, whilst the Bulldogs take on the Titans. 

Match Details
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14 South Sydney Rabbitohs 21
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 20424
Halftime Score: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 6

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Sam Burgess
2 points - James Graham
1 point - George Burgess

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (14)
Tries: Mitch Brown, Michael Ennis
Conversions: Trent Hodkinson (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Trent Hodkinson (1/1)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (21)
Tries: Sam Burgess (2), Lote Tuqiri
Field Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to Thursday Night Footy!!
We kick-off Round 25 with a classic clash between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the South Sydney Rabbitohs, held at ANZ Stadium.
The current 5th-placed Bulldogs are looking to climb higher up the ladder after a convincing win against the Wests Tigers last week. The 2nd-placed Rabbitohs are aiming to redeem themselves after last week's upset loss to the North Queensland Cowboys. Both teams have solid positions in the top 8, however, a win for either of these teams can move them just a little bit higher.

Tonight the Bulldogs and their fans say farewell to Michael Ennis and Mitch Brown, in their final home game of the season before finals.

Both teams are 1-17 tonight as named earlier in the week.

KICK-OFF IN A COUPLE OF MINS...

Boys are running out. George Burgess looking pretty good ;)

1: AND IT'S ON!

2: Penalty against Chris McQueen. Bulldogs at the 50m line

3: Knock-on Bulldogs right in front of the line, Rabbitohs come up with it

6: PENALTY to the Rabbitohs, Trent Hodkinson tackles George Burgess without the ball

6: Penalty to Bulldogs, Isaac Luke put on report for kicking out of the tackle, hit Michael Ennis straight in the face

7: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Mitch Brown. Kick to come.
Short-side magic by the Doggies, 3 on 2 produces the goods!

8: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
The uprights seem to have a magnet when Hodkinson is kicking... Converts to make the score 6-0

10: Knock-on Rabbitohs, scrum packed at the 30m line

11: Changeover for Souths, aiming to get out of their own 20

14: Penalty against McQueen... don't even know what happened to be honest with y'all. Bulldogs now at the 30m line

19: Tony Williams seems to be hurt

19: Bulldogs in dangerous territory

20: A million hands on the ball as Souths kick on last, bulldogs ball! trying to get out of their own 20

23: Penalty to the Rabbitohs, tap at the halfway line

24: Rabbitohs so close to the line, kicks for Tuqiri but Josh Morris gets it

25: Ennis arguing with the ref. In other news, the sky is still blue

27: Penalty to Rabbits, markers weren't square

27: Literal lol at Greg Inglis HAHAHAHAHAHA, trying to intrude another Ennis V Ref argument.

29: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Sam Burgess. Kick to come.
Inside pass from Keary sets up the man of the moment!!!

29: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Reynolds kicks for cash, score now 6-6

31: Ennis and Reynolds having a bit of fun

32: Graham sends Perrett flying!!
Lafai passes it forward. Rabbitohs now have the ball

32: Rabbitohs lose the ball, bulldogs get it 20m out

33: Possible try to Michael Ennis... Going upstairs

34: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Michael Ennis. Kick to come.
An amazing dummy produces the 4 points'!!

35: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
Hodkinson gets the conversion like he's done 1000 times before

40: Half-time... Time to get some snacks

40: Second half underway

43: Plenty of penalties being handed to the Rabbitohs right in front of their line

44: Rabbitohs pushed into touch, Bulldogs scrum 10m out from their own line

45: Knock-on Doggies, Rabbitohs very close to the line

46: POSSIBLE TRY TO SAM BURGESS... Amazing dummy from Keary. Going upstairs

46: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Sam Burgess. Kick to come.
And Sammy is in for a double!!! Kick to come

47: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Reynolds kicks successfully

51: Big Sammy Burgess is in the sheds, looks like something is wrong with his hip

52: Bulldogs in the 20m and looking dangerous

53: Penalty against Souths, hand on the ball

54: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Penalty goal attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
And bulldogs are back in the lead

59: Penalty to the bulldogs for what looked like a high tackle from Adam Reynolds and now everyone's in the ruck for a little push and shove

59: Reynolds on report for the dangerous lift... Ref has a word with Ennis for instigating the little push and shove

60: Darn that ankle tap

64: Des Hasler looking heaps happy after that attempted banana kick by Mbye

67: Sam Burgess is back on field, wasn't paying attention to when he came back on but yeah he's there now

69: Great kick from Reynolds, taken by Eastwood

71: Hodkinson kicks the ball out on the foul, Rabbitohs now 20m out from the line

72: Repeat set for the Rabbits... Will they get the 4 points

72: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Lote Tuqiri. Kick to come.
WHAT A PASS FROM REYNOLDS... SETS UP THE VETERAN

73: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Beautiful beautiful kick omg

75: Penalty to the Souths... Gonna kick for goal

76: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Penalty goal attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
32m out and he gets it!

77: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Field goal attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Reynolds kicks a beauty!!!

80: And the Rabbits get the win!!!