South Sydney prevail in controversial Good Friday clash

In front of 40, 523 fans, South Sydney have come from behind to defeat Canterbury-Bankstown 18-17 in a highly controversial finish at ANZ Stadium.

Having contested last year's Grand Final, the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs put on a tremendous game of rugby league that will be largely ignored in favour of several highly contentious refereeing decisions.

Coming into the round five fixture, the Bulldogs put together three consecutive wins and were boosted by the return of Josh Reynolds. Opening up an early ten point lead inside the first twenty minutes courtesy of tries to wingers Curtis Rona and Sam Perrett, the Bulldogs appeared to be cruising towards victory off the back of a dominant forward performance.

Just before halftime, the Rabbitohs struck back in the first of many controversial decisions made by referee Gerard Sutton. With Issac Luke being hit in the head by Josh Morris as the New Zealand hooker grounded the ball, South Sydney were awarded a possible eight-point try, despite the protests of James Graham.

In the blink of an eye, the Bulldogs lead had evaporated, leaving the Rabbitohs trailing by only two points, down 10-8.

Ten minutes into the second half, Canterbury extended their lead courtesy of a well-placed kick from Trent Hodkinson resulting in Josh Morris crossing for his second try of the season. With Hodkinson nailing the conversion, the Bulldogs pushed their advantage out to beyond a converted try to lead 16-8.

With Issac Luke ruled out of the second half with concussion, the Rabbitohs suffered another major blow shortly after with Glenn Stewart succumbing to the same injury.

On 60 minutes, the Rabbitohs hit back following a fortunate bounce allowing the under-rated David Tyrell to cross for only the fifth try of his career. Despite being reduced to a two-man bench, the Rabbitohs lifted, down by only two points following Adam Reynolds conversion.

With the Bulldogs conceding a penalty just over halfway with under five minute remaining, South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds stood up for the premiers, nailing a 47-metre penalty to level the scores at 16-all.

As he has done so many times in his career, Trent Hodkinson was on the spot to push the Bulldogs back in front with a field goal that looked to have won the game for Canterbury-Bankstown.

By far the biggest call of the game occurred with only two minutes left on the clock.

From 30 metres out, Adam Reynolds attempted a shot at field goal only for James Graham to make contact with the Rabbitohs number seven around the legs.

Subsequently, referee Gerard Sutton placed the Bulldogs skipper on-report, much to the disgust of forward David Klemmer, who was sin-binned for dissent.

From right in-front, replacement kicker and former Bulldog Bryson Goodwin was able to kick the penalty to give the Rabbitohs the win in highly controversial circumstances.

While the final minutes will be discussed at length, both sides also suffered several injuries throughout the match.

Bulldogs centre Tim Lafai went down just before halftime with an ankle injury, while fullback Brett Morris succumbed to the hamstring injury that ruled him out of last week's match on full-time. For the Rabbitohs, Issac Luke and Glenn Stewart failed to return to play with concussion, while the extent of Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds leg is unknown at this stage.

For the Bulldogs, captain James Graham was sensational in defeat, making 200 metres, while David Klemmer produced the finest performance of his career, running for 200 metres and putting the Bulldogs on the front foot all day.

For the Rabbitohs, Luke Keary performed well filling in at hooker with Issac Luke out, while young Chris Grevsmuhl played well, especially late in the match, to put the Rabbitohs in strong attacking position.

Next week the Bulldogs will be away to the Dragons on Sunday afternoon at ANZ Stadium, while South Sydney will host the Cowboys on Monday night football at the same venue.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - James Graham
2 points - Luke Keary
1 point - David Klemmer

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (17)
Tries: Curtis Rona, Sam Perrett, Josh Morris
Field Goals: Trent Hodkinson (1/1)
Conversions: Trent Hodkinson (2/3)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (18)
Tries: Issac Luke, David Tyrrell
Field Goals: Adam Reynolds (0/1)
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (2/2), Bryson Goodwin (1/1)

Welcome to League Unlimited's Round 5 coverage of Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs from ANZ Stadium.

The last time these two sides clashed, the Rabbitohs broke their 43-year premiership drought to claim the 2014 NRL Premiership, running out 30-6 winners.

Both sides come into this Good Friday fixture with three wins from four matches. Canterbury will be looking to extend their winning streak to four, while South Sydney will be out to bounce back from last week's loss to Parramatta.

For the Bulldogs, Moses Mbye will start the game at Five-Eight, with Josh Reynolds making his return from injury off the bench. In other changes, Tim Browne misses out, while Brett Morris is back after missing last week through injury.

For South Sydney, Michael Maguire has responded to last week's loss to the Eels by bolstering the Rabbitohs forward pack. Jason Clark will start the game at Lock with Tim Grant reverting to the bench, while the in-demand Cameron McInnes misses out.

The Rabbitohs have dominated recent encounters, winning four of the past five matches. However, in the past nine Easter clashes between the pair, Canterbury hold bragging rights winning six from nine matches.

1: Greg Inglis kicks off.

2: Sam Perrett is on the spot to take Adam Reynolds bomb on his goal line.

2: Canterbury get a penalty. Find touch on the halfway line.

4: South Sydney knock on in attempting to defuse a bomb. Canterbury will get a scrum feed 10 metres out.

4: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Curtis Rona. Kick to come.
The former Cowboy crosses for his 6th try of the season after a bad pass from Moses Mbye is misread by Joel Reddy.

6: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson unsuccessful.
Kick is pushed right of the post.

7: Josh Jackson makes a break down the right wing but is pushed into touch by Bryson Goodwin.

8: Adam Reynolds kicks for Joel Reddy, but Curtis Rona is on the spot to gather it resulting in a 20 metre restart.

9: Reports suggest the newly re-signed Sam Kasiano has aggravated a hip injury in the warm-up but will play.

10: Penalty to the Rabbitohs against Tony Williams for a strip. Souths will start 40 metres out from the Bulldogs line.

11: Issac Luke grubbers in-goal, but a push in the back results in a Bulldogs penalty.

12: Penalty to Canterbury 20 metres out from the Rabbitohs line.

13: Great tackle by Daryl Millard on Trent Hodkinson stops an attacking chance.

14: Possible try to Sam Perrett. The referee has ruled a Try.

15: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Sam Perrett. Kick to come.
Both Canterbury wingers have now crossed. Both tries have included poor passes thrown by Bulldogs players and even worse defence by the Rabbitohs.

15: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
The incumbent NSW halfback nails the conversion from the sideline to open up an early lead for the Bulldogs.

17: Adam Reynolds produces another monster bomb, but once again the Bulldogs defuse it.

18: The Bulldogs blow a try.

19: On the fifth tackle, Brett Morris breaks the South Sydney defence, finding Greg Eastwood who throws a shocking pass forward. Had the Bulldogs been able to cross there, the Bulldogs could have wrapped up the game inside 20 minutes.

20: Greg Eastwood makes up for his previous error to find some space following a great run by Michael Lichaa.

20: Sam Perrett looks for his second but is stopped only a few metres out.

21: Moses Mbye delivers a long pass to Curtis Rona who can't latch onto it giving the Rabbitohs a reprieve.

22: South Sydney will start the set on halfway following a penalty.

22: Adam Reynolds grubbers for the in-goal, but concedes a penalty for trying to force Moses Mbye back in-goal.

23: Tim Grant and Tom Burgess are on for the Rabbitohs. Sam Kasiano and David Klemmer are on for the Bulldogs.

24: Souths have the ball after a poor pass from Canterbury inside the Rabbitohs 20 metres.

25: Chris Grevsmuhl is on for the Rabbitohs. Michael Maguire has looked to his interchange to change the momentum of the match.

26: South Sydney will have a scrum just inside the Bulldogs half.

28: Chris McQueen loses the ball following a superb tackle from Trent Hodkinson.

28: Josh Reynolds is on, replacing Michael Lichaa.

29: Penalty to the Rabbitohs. Adam Reynolds finds touch just shy of halfway.

30: Josh Reynolds makes a superb run following a dropped pass from Daryl Millard.

30: Tim Lafai is down with injury.

30: Lafai looks to have suffered an ankle injury. Michael Lichaa is set to return to the game. In the reshuffle expect to see Moses Mbye move to the centres with Reynolds and Lichaa returning to their regular positions.

31: Josh Jackson is tackled only metres out from the Rabbitohs try line.

33: Great play by the Bulldogs sees Sam Perrett tackled 20 metres out from the Rabbitohs line.

34: A poor Bulldogs kick gifts possession back to the Rabbitohs.

35: Brett Morris is on the spot to recover Alex Johnston's chip following a tremendous run from the Rabbitohs flyer.

36: Greg Ingis is down receiving treatment from the trainer. The injury appears to be the right knee, but the fullback is staying on the field.

38: Glenn Stewart makes a great break but the play comes to nothing following George Burgess dropping the pass with only Brett Morris to beat.

38: Sam Kasiano loses the ball inside the Bulldogs 20 metres. Souths will be looking to score with under two minutes remaining in the half.

38: Issac Luke has made his way over the line. Referee has ruled No Try but is concerned over contact.

38: Issac Luke has gone up the tunnel.

38: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by Issac Luke. Kick to come.
The New Zealand hooker gets the Rabbitohs back in the match.

38: Referee Gerard Sutton has ruled contact made by Josh Morris constitutes an eight-point try.

39: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
Reynolds converts from wide out.

39: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Penalty goal attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
From right in front the Rabbitohs are right back in the match.

40: A bizarre final play to the first half has seen South Sydney come from 10-0 behind to trail by only two. However there are concerns over the knee of Greg Inglis, while Issac Luke will be subject to a concussion test.

40: If Issac Luke fails to return to the field of play, the Rabbitohs will be in a major dilemma following the omission of Cameron McInnes.

40: Canterbury will likely have to play out the remainder of the match without Tim Lafai following his ankle injury.

40: Issac Luke is yet to return to the field. Luke Keary is filling in at hooker in his absence.

43: Adam Reynolds decides to chip and chase on the last tackle only for Canterbury to cover up.

44: Josh Reynolds delivers a wonderful pass to Sam Perrett with an opportunity to score only to drop the ball.

46: Issac Luke has been ruled out with concussion. Huge blow to the Rabbitohs. Luke Keary will play hooker, with Glenn Stewart to operate at Five-Eighth.

46: James Graham is off in the blood bin with Vice Captain Aiden Tolman taking his place.

47: Greg Inglis is tackled on the last tackle. Canterbury will start their set just short of halfway.

48: Tony Williams is forced back from the try line in a three-man tackle.

48: Josh Reynolds forces a drop-out from a grubber.

50: Michael Lichaa puts in a poor last tackle kick. An attacking opportunity goes begging.

50: The Bulldogs are back on the attack.

51: Possible try to Josh Morris. Referee has ruled a Try, but is checking onside.

51: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Josh Morris. Kick to come.
Canterbury extend their lead.

52: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
The Bulldogs extend the lead to outside a converted try.

54: Josh Reynolds kicks out on the full.

55: Glenn Stewart is down receiving treatment from the Rabbitohs trainer. He has left the field.

55: With Glenn Stewart off the field, the Rabbitohs attacking options have been severely tested in the absence of Issac Luke, along with Greg Inglis playing on with injury.

56: Souths have a repeat set inside the Bulldogs 10 metres. Big chance to get back within a try.

57: The Rabbitohs lose the ball giving the Bulldogs possession back.

58: In the absence of Glenn Stewart, Alex Johnston has moved to fullback allowing Greg Inglis the opportunity shift to Five-Eight.

59: TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Scored by David Tyrrell. Kick to come.
David Tyrell crosses for only his 5th career try in over 100 games for the Bunnies.

60: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Conversion attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
The Rabbitohs are back in the match, down by only 2.

60: James Graham is back on the park wearing #22, Glenn Stewart is in the sheds undertaking a concussion test.

63: Adam Reynolds takes on the line, but Canterbury are able to clean up.

63: Frank Pritchard is on for his first football of the afternoon.

65: Josh Morris finds some space close to the line but is tackled.

66: Bryson Goodwin is able to catch Trent Hodkinson's cross field bomb to give the Rabbitohs a 20 metre restart.

67: Adam Reynolds bombs for Chris McQueen, but Moses Mbye is able to take the ball easily.

69: The Rabbitohs get a last tackle penalty on halfway. Adam Reynolds finds touch 30 metres out.

70: Grevsmuhl makes his way over the line but Brett Morris is able to hold the ball up.

70: Adam Reynolds grubbers ahead but the ball beats everyone. Canterbury will start their set on the 20 metre line.

71: Glenn Stewart has been ruled out with concussion. The Rabbitohs are down to 15 men.

72: Canterbury get a penalty 10 meres out right in front of the posts.

72: The Buldogs knock back the opportunity to kick a penalty.

73: Trent Hodkinson knocks on 10 metres out.

73: Souths receive a penalty from 47 metres out.

73: Adam Reynolds has decided to attempt the penalty goal.

74: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Penalty goal attempt by Adam Reynolds successful.
The Rabbitohs number seven has nailed the penalty. With five minutes remaining, let the field goal shoot out begin.

75: A bizarre kick-off has been dropped by Luke Keary and Tom Burgess to give the Bulldogs a shot with a line drop out.

76: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Field goal attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
From 25 metres out, the halfback does it again.

76: Last year Trent Hodkinson kicked a field goal on Good Friday to win the game for the Bulldogs. This year....

77: With the game on the line, the two halfbacks have come up with big plays. Can Adam Reynolds come up with a response to force Golden Point.

78: The Rabbitohs number seven has been tackled around the legs by James Graham.

78: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Field goal attempt by Adam Reynolds unsuccessful.
James Graham has been placed on report for tackling Adam Reynolds around the legs. Penalty right in front of the posts.

78: SIN BIN
David Klemmer is sent to the sin bin.
In response to the decision of the penalty, the Bulldogs forward has been sent to the bin.

78: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Penalty goal attempt by Bryson Goodwin successful.
Against all odds the Rabbitohs take the lead.

78: Joel Reddy is on the spot to catch the short kick-off.

79: Brett Morris clutches at his injured hamstring forcing a line drop out.

80: In one of the most bizarre finishes to a game of rugby league, the Rabbitohs prevail 18-17. Expect plenty of controversy to come out of the decision to penalise James Graham late in the match, along with referee Gerard Sutton's decision to award the penalty in front of the posts.