The Bulldogs make the trip to the nation’s capital this Friday, looking to claim a second straight victory when they tackle the Raiders at GIO Stadium.
As pleasing as the Round 8 scenes were after the gritty win against the Roosters, coach Trent Barrett will have reset his squad quickly in at an attempt to gain something he has been seeking this season; consistency in performance. Parlaying the 16-12 win against the Chooks into another controlled and consistent display this Friday is paramount to the momentum the club is looking to build.
The Raiders were disappointing last week, after a second half fade out against the Warriors, and despite a squad that looks well balanced and threatening on paper, the Bulldogs will enter the match knowing they have a real chance to claim two points and continue the revival.
Everything about the triumph over the Roosters at Accor Stadium was gutsy, with the defensive effort impossible to ignore and promising signs in attack there for all to see. Kyle Flanagan’s decision making was on show and his combination with Matt Burton has looked promising. When the ball is shifted wide the team are starting to ask serious questions of opposition defences.
Momentum is key in modern rugby league and Barrett will have left no stone unturned in preparing for what is a vital match for both clubs in the contexts of their seasons.
Whilst Canterbury enter the match confident and buoyant after such a brilliant win, the Raiders have now lost five matches in a row and face the exact same challenge that Canterbury managed to overcome last weekend; shifting momentum back in their favour after a disappointing run of results.
Team news sees Barrett once again able to name a team without major changes, as captain Josh Jackson and Brent Naden return, with Jayden Okunbor and Billy Tsikrikas making way for the returning stars. Canberra, meanwhile, will be hoping that the return of inspirational veteran, Jarrod Croker will provide inspiration for them.
Match: Raiders v Bulldogs
Round 9 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Brent Naden
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jake Averillo
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt FrawleyFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Adam ElliottHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
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Lock for Raiders is number 15 Corey Harawira-NaeraLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Ryan SuttonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-Odo
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Joe Stimson
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Sebastian KrisInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ava Seumanufagai
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Harry RushtonReplacement for Bulldogs is number 23 Jayden Okunbor
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
The trip to Canberra can be a tough one for visiting teams, particularly on a wet or windy evening, yet Canterbury head south with their tails up and Ricky Stuart’s obvious frustration with his team suggests they will be ready to turn things around.
Key Match-up
Luke Thompson/Paul Vaughan vs Josh Papali’i/Joseph Tapine
This is likely to be an immense battle in the forwards, as two teams desperate to move closer to the fringes of the top eight place the highest of values on completions and field position. An advantage in those areas will go a long way towards deciding the winner and the battle between the key men up front will be central to any earned success.
Vaughan was brilliant against the Roosters in Round 8, and Thompson has been one of the Dogs' most consistent throughout 2022. Papali and Tapine are yet to find their best form, yet will pose a serious threat to any pack of forwards they come up against. Look for something of an old school battle through the middle, with the Bulldogs pair looking to assert their dominance in that area.