CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 6 SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 22
TOM SMITH, Accor Stadium, Friday

MATT DUFTY powered South Sydney to a crucial win over Canterbury in the race for the top eight.

The former Warrington fullback scored the Rabbitohs’ fifth try, assisted another and racked up more than 300 running metres to help his side lead from start to finish.

The Bulldogs looked dangerous early but the Bunnies held on then were clinical with their chances, which had Dufty’s fingerprints all over them. 

Damaging forwards Keaon Koloamatangi and David Fifita also dominated in the middle. 

With Souths sitting seventh and Canterbury ninth heading into Round 24, this clash represented a virtual elimination final, especially for the Dogs who’d found a rich vein of form to join the play-off hunt. 

But back-to-back losses leave their top-eight hopes on life support, while Rabbitohs fans can now be confident of seeing their side in September. 

The Rabbitohs won 32-24 on Good Friday and this victory completes the 2026 double against their fellow Sydney heavyweight. 

The Bunnies had gone win-loss-win-loss-win-loss-win since their Round 16 bye, and nearly tossed away a 28-0 lead against Parramatta last Saturday. 

Wayne Bennett lost rookie halfback Ashton Ward to a season-ending hamstring injury against the Eels, bringing Jayden Sullivan into the number-seven jumper. In more positive news, Campbell Graham (calf) returned to the wing.

The Doggies had their three-game winning streak snapped by the Roosters in Round 23, and Cameron Ciraldo’s only change to his in-form line-up was Alekolasimi Jones coming in for Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring). 

In a chaotic opening, the Rabbitohs’ desperate defence denied Stephen Crichton and Jethro Rinakama, then Adam Elliott limped off with a groin complaint. 

But they weathered the storm to eventually register the first points in the 23rd minute through destructive back-rower Fifita, who latched onto a perfectly weighted grubber kick by Cody Walker. 

And the Bunnies soon had two, when Tallis Duncan put Alex Johnston into the left corner. It was Johnston’s 26th try of the season and 236th four-pointer of his NRL career. 

The Bulldogs nearly scored on the stroke of half-time, although Jacob Preston’s try claim was turned down for double movement. 

Things got even worse for Canterbury when the second half began. 

First, Bailey Hayward spilled the kick-off. Then Dufty put Tallis Duncan through the Dogs’ defence. And the cherry on top was a knee injury to Rinakama, replaced by Bronson Xerri. 

Souths’ wave of momentum just kept rolling, as Sullivan launched a bomb that Graham snatched from Enari Tuala to claim another four points. 

Missed conversions by Sullivan and Dufty meant the Rabbitohs’ 18-point lead didn’t quite reflect their dominance. 

The Bulldogs shaved that margin to twelve just after the hour mark, when Crichton and Matt Burton assisted Tuala. 

Strangely, another South Sydney try was ruled out when referee Ashley Klein interfered with the Dogs’ defence. 

But there was no stopping Dufty for the sealer in the 78th minute. 

GAMESTAR: Rabbitohs number one Matt Dufty posed a constant threat at the back, and was rewarded with a late try.

GAMEBREAKER: With two minutes left, Dufty pierced Canterbury’s left edge to complete a win that virtually assures Souths’ top-eight spot at the Dogs’ expense.

MATCHFACTS

BULLDOGS
1 Connor Tracey
2 Jacob Kiraz
3 Matt Burton
4 Enari Tuala
5 Jethro Rinakama
6 Stephen Crichton
7 Lachlan Galvin
8 Max King
9 Bailey Hayward
10 Leo Thompson
11 Viliame Kikau
12 Jacob Preston
13 Jaeman Salmon
Subs
14 Kurt Mann
15 Josh Curran
16 Harry Hayes
17 Alekolasimi Jones (not used)
19 Bronson Xerri
20 Jake Turpin (not used)

Tries: Tuala (62)
Goals: Crichton 1/1

RABBITOHS
1 Matt Dufty
2 Alex Johnston
3 Tallis Duncan
4 Jack Wighton
5 Campbell Graham
6 Cody Walker
7 Jayden Sullivan
8 Tevita Tatola
9 Brandon Smith
10 Keaon Koloamatangi
11 David Fifita
12 Adam Elliott
13 Cameron Murray
Subs
14 Jye Gray (not used)
15 Lachlan Hubner
16 Sean Keppie
17 Euan Aitken
18 Peter Mamouzelos
19 Edward Kosi (not used)

Tries: Fifita (23), Johnston (29), Duncan (41), Graham (47), Dufty (78)
Goals: Sullivan 1/4, Dufty 0/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-10; 0-14, 0-18, 6-18, 6-22

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Bulldogs: Jacob Preston; Rabbitohs: Matt Dufty

Penalty count: 4-7
Half-time: 0-10
Referee: Ashley Klein
Attendance: 26,582