VENUE & TIME: ANZ Stadium – Sunday, August 2, 3pm (AEST).
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 136 – Bulldogs 71, Rabbitohs 61, Drawn 4.
LAST TIME: Round 5, 2009 – Bulldogs 14-12.

WALKING WOUNDED: Souths have retained the same squad that took the Roosters apart on Monday night, adding Michael Crocker to an extended bench. Not too many changes at Belmore either, with David Stagg back at lock and giant prop Jarrad Hickey placing his ample backside on the bench.

FORM: The obits were being compiled a month ago as Souths' season seemingly headed towards the gurgler like so many of their past 20 campaigns. But three wins later the Rabbitohs are suddenly back in the frame, one point out of the top eight and all smiles again. The Bunnies, however, have a horror draw over the next five weeks and will need a lot to go right to still be in the hunt come the end of August. Monday night's win over the Roosters was good in patches but they will need a more concerted 80-minute performance against the Dogs. Canterbury was flatter than 10-day old beer in the loss to Parramatta and is unlikely to play that badly again this year. A tough playing and travel schedule coupled with injury and rep absenteeism caught up with the Doggies.

WHO'S HOT: Jamie Simpson has packed plenty into his young life, including surviving a bout with cancer. The Rabbitohs winger had to deal with a personal loss in the lead up to Monday night's game against the Roosters, his close friend Todd Parnel dying the day before the game after being caught up in a fight. Simpson pushed the tragedy aside to score a hat-trick, forming the letters 'TP' in memory of Parnel after his first touchdown. He will dedicate the rest of the season to his mate. Second-rower Gary Warburton doesn't attract the headlines but he's one of those minimum of fuss forwards the Bulldogs mass produce.

WE THINK: The Bulldogs have shown an ability to bury an average performance with a very good one the very next game. And that, South Sydney, should have alarm bells ringing in your camp. Last week's loss to Parra was surely an aberration and the Bunnies may be made to pay. The minor premiership has probably gone to the Gong but the Doggies will be desperate to stay in the top four after such a great year. Souths can make a real statement with victory here but it will be far from easy. The Dogs have won four of the past five clashes between the clubs and enjoy a 6-1 record at ANZ. Bulldogs by 8

TEAMS:
Rabbitohs Nathan Merritt, Jamie Simpson, Colin Best, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi [c], Ben Lowe, Eddy Pettybourne, David Faalogo.
Interchange: Craig Wing, Shannan McPherson, Michael Crocker, Scott Geddes, Dave Tyrrell (one to be omitted).

BulldogsLuke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Josh Morris, Jamal Idris, Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Michael Hodgson, Gary Warburton, Andrew Ryan [c], David Stagg.
Interchange: Chris Armit, Greg Eastwood, Yileen Gordon, Jarrad Hickey.