Game of the Week: Rabbitohs vs Dragons

The NRL season is approaching the pointy end. It’s the time of year that separates the contenders from pretenders, the men from the boys and as journalistic cliché hits fever pitch – we reckon there’s no better time to head to Homebush and vibe on a bit of code. (That's hipster for "watch some footy"). 

Fresh from their monumental last-minute victory over the Roosters on Monday, the South Sydney Rabbitohs take on 2010 champs the St George Dragons at ANZ stadium at 7.00pm this Saturday. Slop on a guernsey, head to Central and board the train to Olympic Park.

Pregaming?
Fire up the night with some spicy Thai at House, just up the road from the station’s Elizabeth Street entrance. Operating out of the courtyard of Triple Ace Bar, House is the perfect place to wash down some traditional north-east Thai street food with a few schooners and verse on the footy. How often do you get to do that? Try the moo ping (sweet pork skewers).

Who to watch
Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds is the talk of the town after his last-minute meat pie stole the match on Monday. The 22-year-old is a hot contender for Rookie of the Year as he continues to blossom in 2012 (having veterans like Greg Inglis and Nathan Merrit looming outside certainly helps!). Look out for the youngster’s clash with opposite number, Dragons captain Ben Hornby.

The Form
Since Wayne Bennett’s departure, the Dragons have descended to once again being a team with big names and no ticker. The finals are looking less and less likely for the red and white and Time Out is expecting this Bunnies side, finally blessed with the knowledge of how to win regularly, to inflict some real pain.

Celebrate/Comiserate?
Strut down the hill from Central to the Abercrombie. Traditionally a weeknight pub, the 'Crom has begun to curate some good weekend energy over the last few months. The tunes are good, the drinks cheap and the crowd rock a very friendly buzz... well into the morning. This might just be Sydney’s friendliest late night venue.

Did you know?
Reynolds was set to make his NRL debut in 2011 but spent the year on the sidelines after a devastating leg injury in the Pre-Season.