NRL Round 23 Preview and Prediction - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury Bulldogs @ ANZ Stadium

South Sydney Rabbitohs (12th) v Canterbury Bulldogs (13th) @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - Two fallen giants in the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs do battle in a game with little value outside of pride on Thursday night football at ANZ Stadium. The Bulldogs lurched from one disaster to the next after another lifeless performance in their 20-4 loss to the Eels last week. The Dogs have now lost 6 of their last 7 games, and are averaging a meagre 13 points per game through 20 games, with clearly the worst attack in the NRL. The Rabbitohs managed to come from 10 points down, with just 6 minutes to fulltime, to escape with a 26-24 victory over the Dragons at the SCG last Friday. Whilst it has been a 2nd straight poor season for Michael Maguire's men, the emergence of some younger players, and a smattering of good performances, gives them hope that they can rebound stronger in 2018. 

History - The Bulldogs have done done against the Rabbitohs in the past 2 seasons winning three of their past four meetings between the clubs. Earlier this season the Bulldogs came from behind to record a 24-9 victory on Easter Friday. Before 2015 Souths had had the better of the rivalry winning five from six before that. 
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report - The Rabbitohs welcome back Aaron Gray from a leg injury as he slots into the centres. School kid Campbell Graham has retained his place on the wing after an impressive debut game against the Dragons at the SCG last week. 
 
Canterbury Bulldogs’ Scouting Report - Besieged Coach Des Hasler has named an unchanged team from the side that was comprehensively beaten by the Eels last week. Whilst the experiment to pair Josh Reynolds and Chase Stanley in the halves failed to materialise into anything positive, the game was played in atrocious conditions and Des has given them another chance to partner together. 
 
Verdict - Souths by 1-10 in a higher scoring game then expected

I couldn't tip Canterbury to beat a State Cup side at the moment, that’s how bad they are going. Honestly, I don't think I have ever seen a poorer or more disjointed side in attack ever than the Bulldogs in 2017. To score just 90 points in their last 10 games is embarrassing and their playmakers in key positions simply are not playing well enough to deliver the goods. The Rabbitohs, at least, still have bit of life and spark to them and to me offer far more threat offensively than the Bulldogs. The danger for the Rabbitohs will be matching the Bulldogs’ attitude who I'm sure will be desperate to avenge for some embarrassing performances.