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Match Preview

Rabbitohs v Dragons: Keaon returns; Three forwards sidelined

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94ddz.com
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All eyes will be on Alex Johnston as the Rabbitohs host the Dragons at Accor Stadium on Thursday night to kick off Round 25.

The Rabbitohs winger still needs four tries to break Ken Irvine's premiership record of 212 after going without a four-pointer in last weekend's win over the Eels.

That hard-fought 20-16 victory was the eighth of the season for the Bunnies and moved them four points clear of the Titans in last place with games against the Dragons and Roosters to come as well as a bye in Round 26.

Through all their injury dramas in 2025 the Rabbitohs have continued to dig deep and show pride in the jersey while the Dragons also showed some resolve to take down the Sharks and Raiders before a narrow loss to the Warriors.

Finals may be out of reach but every battle between these two old rivals has plenty of storylines and this Thursday is no different with Johnston chasing history and the Dragons chasing revenge for a one-point loss in Round 2 at WIN Stadium.

Team News

Rabbitohs: A huge in for the injury-ravaged Rabbitohs with Keaon Koloamatangi set to return from an ankle injury that was initially feared would end his season. Koloamatangi is on track for an early return after retaining his place in the frontrow when the squads were trimmed to 19 players on Thursday night. Tallis Duncan has been named to start at centre after filling in there last week when Bayleigh Bentley-Hape left the field with a concussion. Lachlan Hubner returns from concussion to take his place at lock so Jai Arrow pushes to the second row. Cody Walker and Brandon Smith will again provide impact off the bench alongside Peter Mamouzelos and Thomas Fletcher. Superstar Latrell Mitchell remains sidelined with a back injury and Liam Le Blanc will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

Dragons: With Hamish Stewart, Jack de Belin and Hame Sele all entering the concussion protocol the Dragons have added Jacob Halangahu and Ben Murdoch-Masila to the starting back row while Blake Lawrie joins the bench. The other new face on the bench is Tyrell Sloan, who was 18th man last week. Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Nathan Lawson are the two additional players in the 19-man squad named 24 hours from kick-off. Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Nathan Lawson are the two additional players in the 19-man squad named 24 hours from kick-off. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Hayden Buchanan
  • Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Tallis Duncan
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Mathew Feagai
  • Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Tyrone Munro
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Corey Allan
  • Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Ashton Ward
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia
  • Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Sean Keppie
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
  • Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Siliva Havili
    Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
  • Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 David Klemmer
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jacob Host
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
  • 2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jacob Halangahu
  • Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Lachlan Hubner
    Lock for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook

Interchange

  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
    Interchange for Dragons is number 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Brandon Smith
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Cody Walker
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Loko Pasifiki Tonga
  • Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Thomas Fletcher
    Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves

  • Replacement for Rabbitohs is number 18 Shaquai Mitchell
    Replacement for Dragons is number 17 Tyrell Sloan

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Rabbitohs are aiming for three successive wins for the first time in 2025.
  • The Dragons have not defeated the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium since 2013.
  • Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 95 tries in 97 games at Accor Stadium.
  • Dragons centre Mat Feagai has scored four tries in his last four games.
  • Wayne Bennett will coach his 100th game with the Rabbitohs.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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