The Rabbitohs have won six of their past seven matches to keep their top-eight dream alive but they have no margin for error as they venture to the national capital for a virtual elimination final.
With Cameron Murray (suspended) and Latrell Mitchell (foot) still sidelined, the Rabbitohs must find a way to stay in the hunt until their two big guns can make it back.
After the Raiders this week they still have games against the Sharks, Storm, Panthers and Roosters to come so if the Rabbitohs do sneak into the eight it will be a huge achievement given they sat last after 13 rounds.
The Raiders sit just two points outside the eight after squeaking home over the Warriors and they also have games against the Panthers and Roosters to come so a victory on home soil this weekend is absolutely vital for the Green Machine.
Ricky Stuart's men have a 10-9 record at GIO Stadium across the past two seasons so the road trip to the chilly national capital appears to have become a little less daunting for visiting sides.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Raiders v Rabbitohs
Team News
Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes and will run out with the same side that that got home in a tight one against the Warriors. Adam Cook is again listed as 18th man.
Rabbitohs: Just the one change to the side that beat Wests Tigers with Michael Chee Kam moving to the centres to replace Richie Kennar (head knock) and Jacob Host coming into the back row. Fletcher Myers is 18th man. No changes an hour before kick-off.
Match: Raiders v Rabbitohs
Round 21 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan RapanaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Taane Milne
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Michael Chee Kam
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jacob Gagai
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Cody Walker
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Davvy Moale
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jacob Host
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan SmithiesLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Keaon Koloamatangi
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny LeviInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Trey MooneyInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata MariotaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Thomas Burgess
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Zac HoskingInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Le Blanc
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Adam CookReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 19 Fletcher Myers
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won four of their past five games against South Sydney.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored five tries in his past three games against the Raiders.
- Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty has won four from four at GIO Stadium in 2024
- Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi will play his 100th game in the NRL.
- Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Match: Raiders v Rabbitohs
Round 21 -
home Team
Raiders
9th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
15th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,
