NRL Match Preview: Round 25 v Rabbitohs

Author: St George Illawarra Dragons
Timestamp: Wed 20 Aug 2025, 09:00 AM

The Dragons venture to Accor Stadium in Round 25 for a Thursday night showdown with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Thursday 21 Aug

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Dragons

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

KEY INFO

Buy Tickets
Date Thursday, August 21st
Venue Accor Stadium, Homebush
Watch Nine, 9Now, Kayo & Foxtel
6:45PM Box Office
7:00PM Gates Open
7:50PM Dragons v Rabbitohs

TELSTRA FOOTY COUNTRY ROUND

In Round 25, the NRL and Telstra are going back to where it all began – local footy fields, muddy boots, and junior club pride for Telstra Footy Country Round.

Across select games, training sessions and captain’s calls, NRL and NRLW stars will proudly wear the socks of their junior clubs – a colourful tribute to the grassroots teams that shaped them.

On game day, fans will see those socks pictured on the field and the words Supporting Footy Together written across the turf.

The Dragons will be wearing socks sourced from the Shellharbour Sharks – a South Coast Group 7 powerhouse famous for producing the likes of internationals Matt Cooper, Luke Bailey, and Trent Merrin among others.

Junior players will also take the field at half-time in key matches, standing where their heroes play and soaking up the roar of the crowd.

UNCLE MURDS RETURNS

Dragons veteran Ben Murdoch-Masila is set to make his return to the top grade on Thursday night having been named in the No.13 jersey.

The 34-year-old spent the backend of 2024 sidelined with a foot injury and made his return to the field with the club's Knock-On Effect NSW Cup side in Round 11.

The clash will mark his 249th combined NRL and Super League match.

His NRL debut came back in the Wests Tigers' 2010 Qualifying Final loss to the Roosters before he lined up against the Dragons in their Preliminary Final clash two weeks later.

He has represented Tonga on 16 occasions and was last year named the Dragons' Club Person of the Year due in large part to his role in mentoring the club's younger players, organising team bonding sessions, and going above and beyond his regular commitments

TEAM NEWS

DRAGONS

The Dragons will be without Jack de Belin, Hamish Stewart, and Hame Sele after the trio suffered head knocks in Auckland.
Jacob Halangahu earns a maiden career start in the second row whilst veteran Ben Murdoch-Masila comes in at lock for his first NRL outing of 2025.
Blake Lawrie returns onto the interchange whilst Tyrell Sloan has been listed in jersey No.17 after coming on as the side's replacement player last week.

RABBITOHS

Keaon Koloamatangi (ankle) returns for South Sydney whilst Tallis Duncan has been named to start at centre.
Lachlan Hubner (head knock) starts at lock with Jai Arrow shifting into the second row.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Thursday 21 Aug

Full Time

Rabbitohs

Dragons

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