Souths, Dogs brace for 'Bad Friday'

South Sydney will be offered no respite after their first defeat of the season to St George Illawarra as they face a 'Bad Friday' rematch with Canterbury.

The Rabbitohs and Bulldogs Good Friday match has become one of the biggest, and most intense, regular season matches of the NRL season.

Last year, the match was marred by crowd violence and Bulldogs forwards David Klemmer and David Graham clashing with officials.

It was one of the hardest fought games of the year, decided in the final moments, and Souths coach Michael Maguire is expecting no different this season with only four days to prepare.

"They are good at that arm wrestle and it will be that kind of game," Maguire said.

Both the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs will be keen to bounce back from upset round-three losses, their first defeats of the season.

Souths will likely be without Sam Burgess, who suffered a neck injury in Sunday's loss to St George Illawarra at the SCG.

Burgess was rushed to nearby St Vincent's hospital to have scans, the results of which should be known early this week.

Maguire was positive on the condition of Burgess.

"The doc is pretty positive and Sam is in a pretty good head space from what I was told," Maguire said.

Souths could also be without Kirisome Auva'a, who was put on report for a 'crusher' tackle in the match against the Dragons.