Pregame Notes: Trial v Raiders

Author: bulldogs.com.au
Timestamp: Sun 12 Feb 2023, 09:20 AM

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs travel south for their first trial of the season when they face the Canberra Raiders at Ack Weyman Oval, Moruya (3:55PM AEDT).

Co-captain Reed Mahoney will run out in the blue and white for the first time since April 16, 2016 when he featured in a Bulldog’s SG Ball Round 10 fixture against the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.

The trial also marks as a homecoming for Fa’amanu Brown and Josh Reynolds. The latter was rewarded for his strong showing throughout the preseason, securing a top-30 contract for the 2023 NRL Premiership Season.

It will be the first time Bulldogs faithful will get to see newcomers Ryan Sutton, Andrew Davey, Jacob Preston, Franklin Pele and train and trialist Blake Wilson don the CB logo. Expect to see a sneak peek into Canterbury-Bankstown’s future when Khaled Rajeb, Bailey Hayward and Joash Papali’i spend some time in the middle.

Team News

Bulldogs: Numerous players have been rested for the club’s first trial of the year, whilst Hayze Perham is unavailable due to representing the Maori All Stars in the annual NRL All Stars showcase event.

Braidon Burns will line up at fullback, with incumbent Jake Averillo pairing up with Jacob Kiraz in an exciting right-edge combination. Milperra Colts juniors Paul Alamoti and Jayden Okunbor complete a youthful-looking backline, lining up on the opposite sideline.

Reed Mahoney, Kyle Flanagan and Josh Reynolds will lead the Pack around the park, with Max King and Luke Thompson completing the front row. Ryan Sutton will lock a formidable back-row, with Club Captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Jacob Preston named on the flanks.

Raiders: Clubman Jarrod Croker will lead the Raiders onto Ack Weyman Oval and line up at centre. Canberra will also unleash 2023 acquisitions Danny Levi and Pasami Saulo for the fixture.

Head Coach Ricky Stuart has named several players with NRL experience including Xavier Savage, Matt Frawley, Emre Guler, as well as Bulldog 2-gamer Corey Horsburgh.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 12 Feb

Full Time

Raiders

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Braidon Burns
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Elijah Anderson

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
Centre for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
Winger for Raiders is number 17 James Schiller

Winger for Bulldogs is number 21 Jayden Okunbor
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt Frawley

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Josh Reynolds
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Brad Schneider

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Ata Mariota

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Emre Guler

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Max King
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Clay Webb

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jacob Preston
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Trey Mooney

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Ryan Sutton

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 4 Brad Morkos

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Andrew Davey
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Zac Woolford

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Corey Waddell
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jeral Skelton
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Jordan Martin

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jackson Topine

Reserves

Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Hohepa Puru

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Bailey Hayward
Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Jed Stuart

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Harrison Edwards
Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Josh Allen

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 24 Khaled Rajab
Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Utuloa Asomua

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 25 Jayden Tanner
Reserve for Raiders is number 23 Ethan Strange

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 26 Kurtis Morrin
Reserve for Raiders is number 24 Loghan Lewis

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 27 Blake Wilson
Reserve for Raiders is number 25 Mitchell Spencer

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 28 Joash Papalii
Reserve for Raiders is number 26 Joshua James

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 29 Ryan Gray
Reserve for Raiders is number 27 Lachlan Lewis

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 30 Franklin Pele
Reserve for Raiders is number 28 Rayden Burns

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 31 Brandon Clarke
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 32 Eli Clark

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Todd Smith
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 2/17/2023 1:22:04 AM

Player to Watch: Jacob Preston

General Manager of Football Phil Gould responded to a pundit on Twitter, revealing he was pleased with Preston’s showing since moving to Belmore from North Sydney Bears. The edge back-rower has the makings to push for a debut this year, exhibiting a strong work ethic, discipline and drive. Characteristics that have been synonymous with former back-rowers and current staff members Josh Jackson and Andrew Ryan.

Academy Watch: Joash Papali’i

Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo has rewarded the local junior from St Johns Eagles, naming the youngster in his trial squad to face the Raiders. The 2022 Bulldogs SG Ball Player of the Year experienced his first full NRL preseason, impressing staff with his up-tempo energy, support play and elusive running. The 2022 Australian Schoolboy’s versatility will serve him well into the future, with the ability to play fullback, hooker and in the halves.

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will take on the Canberra Raiders in front of a sold-out Ack Weyman Oval, this Sunday kicking off at 3:55PM AEDT.