A loss by either side at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night would cruel both teams' aims of a high regular season finish.

A defeat for the Bunnies would all but end their hopes of securing the club's first minor premiership since 1989, while the Bulldogs need to win to keep their top-four hopes alive.

A loss would not lead to South Sydney slipping outside the top four – because of their superior for and against – but it would leave them needing to win their final regular season game against the Sydney Roosters to cling onto an important top-four spot.

Canterbury fullback Sam Perrett said Sam Burgess looked to be a man on a mission as his NRL career winds down.

"If I was in that position I would be wanting to get something before I moved on for sure," Perrett said. "I'll do my best to try and trip him up [if he breaks the line]. That's my plan when it comes to that.

"They've got firepower all over the field. A combination of youth and experience backs and their big boy forwards. I think they are a threat."

All four Burgess brothers are expected to play for South Sydney, George Burgess having been recalled to the side after serving a two-week suspension. The Bulldogs have returned to form with back-to-back wins, having lost touch with the minor premiership when they went on a four-game losing streak.

Canterbury interchange forward Dale Finucane said they needed to halt South Sydney's big men as they test their premiership credentials.

"It'll test ourselves against a heavyweight side, which will be good for us," Finucane said. "They'll want to top it off with a minor premiership. They'll be ready to go.

"Their big men have been really good for them. If you can nullify their go forward, it might pull Greg Inglis and Issac Luke out of the game.

"[Their forward pack] is up there with the best teams. They've got a few big bodies."

Meanwhile, Perrett has defended South Sydney's tackling technique, the Rabbitohs coming under heavy fire for wrestling tackles. George Burgess was one of five South Sydney players charged for crusher or chicken wing tackles in recent weeks. Teammate Ben Te'o was hit with a four-game ban for a chicken wing on Brisbane's Sam Thaiday.

"It tends to be the case with all the top teams they have good defensive techniques and strategies, providing it's not illegal," Perrett said. "The time on the ground and winning that wrestle, that's something a lot of the top teams are really good at.

"Things change as the refs change what they are looking at. We just try and adapt to that. I remember a good time ago the Melbourne Storm were really tough on the wrestle and you'd get pinned down for a good seven seconds.

"I don't think any of the players try to [perform crusher tackles] because we know how uncomfortable and dangerous it is when you get caught in that position."