With just one win apiece in the opening month there is plenty at stake for the Rabbitohs and Dragons in round five.
The Red V got some momentum during the pre-season trials and carried that into a strong first-up win over the Warriors but losses to Penrith, Cronulla and Parramatta have set them on their heels.
The Rabbitohs pushed the Storm to golden point in round two and then outclassed arch-rivals the Roosters in round three but they were no match for the Panthers in last weekend's grand final rematch.
Anthony Griffin's men have conceded 120 points in four matches and they could be in for a long night if the Rabbitohs' machine clicks into gear and Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker get hot.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Rabbitohs v Dragons
The Rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: Lebanon international Josh Mansour replaces Jaxson Paulo in the backline after being dropped in the wake of the round 1 loss to Brisbane. Mark Nicholls is out for up to eight weeks after scans confirmed a syndesmosis injury. He will be replaced by Tom Burgess in the front row. Davvy Moale and Blake Taaffe are the new faces on the bench. Taaffe will provide cover for fullback Latrell Mitchell, who is battling a knee injury, halves Cody Walker and Lachlan Ilias and the outside backs. He is expected to be thrust into action just before halftime or early in the second half in his return from an ankle injury. Hame Sele is 18th man.
Dragons: A boost for the Red V with Jaydn Su'A back in time to face his former club. Su'A's return shifts Jack Gosiewski to the reserves. Moses Mbye retains the fullback spot with Tyrell Sloan dropping out of the squad. Aaron Woods starts up front with Blake Lawrie moving back to the interchange. There were no changes when the side was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off.
Match: Rabbitohs v Dragons
Round 5 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell MitchellFullback for Dragons is number 1 Moses Mbye
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane MilneCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell GrahamCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Josh MansourWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jack Bird
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Dragons is number 10 Aaron Woods
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tariq Sims
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Blake TaaffeInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Talatau Amone
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jacob HostInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam KnightInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Jackson Ford
Reserves
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Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Hame SeleReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Tautau Moga
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Tom Burgess v Aaron Woods: The engine room will be full of match-ups this weekend but Burgess and Woods have been around long enough to know it all starts in the middle. Burgess had an unhappy night with his hands against the Panthers last week but gets a start with Mark Nicholls out. Woods returned from a hamstring injury against the Eels and will be better for the run.
Stat attack
Their teams may be struggling to find consistency but key playmakers Cody Walker and Ben Hunt have done everything in their power to provide a spark. Hunt tops the NRL for line engagements with 39 after four rounds and Walker sits second on the list with 31.
