The Canberra Raiders are going Rabbit hunting on the biggest stage the ACT's ever seen.
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They'll play the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a preliminary final at Canberra Stadium next Friday for a spot in the grand final.
Souths beat the Manly Sea Eagles 34-26 at ANZ Stadium on Friday night, continuing the Sea Eagles' six-year drought at the venue.
In a seesawing match that had the lead change hands five times, Manly were twice reduced to 12 men in the second half through sin-bins for professional fouls.
The second, after Jake Trbojevic pulled back Dane Gagai in a 67th-minute break, swung the match dramatically in Souths' favour and enraged Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
The Rabbitohs made Manly pay while the NSW lock was off the field. They scored almost immediately when John Sutton stepped through a gap from close to the line to level the scores at 26-26.
Wayne Bennett's men then took the lead moments later, after Jorge Taufua and Brendan Elliot spilled a bomb to hand the Rabbitohs possession close to the line.
The turnover led to Cameron Murray scooping up pass before he scooted over to cap a strong individual performance which included the last pass for the Rabbitohs' first try.
Adam Reynolds then iced the game with a minute left on the clock, with a penalty goal when Manly failed to kick a drop out before the shot clock expired.
The Rabbitohs won the only meeting against the Raiders this season - 16-12 at Canberra Stadium in round 10, thanks to a Cody Walker masterclass.
Souths captain Sam Burgess walked a fine line, giving away a series of penalties in the first half but managing to stay on the field.
It's a line he hasn't managed as successfully in recent weeks, having been suspended for the Rabbitohs' qualifying final loss to the Sydney Roosters.
It continued their recent success in the ACT, where they've won four of their past five games.
But the Raiders have had the week off and are hopeful of a sell-out crowd at Canberra Stadium for the first ever preliminary final there.
That crowd could also be the biggest the Raiders have ever had at the venue, with extra seating set be bolster capacity.
NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL
September 27: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium, 7.50pm. Tickets available Monday (members) and Tuesday (general public).