NRL 2023, Canberra Raiders, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Magic Round, Round 10 match preview, team news, analysis, details

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 5 May 2023, 05:01 PM

Canberra and Canterbury are set to go head-to-head to kick-start Magic Round for 2023 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

The Raiders are on a roll after defeating the Dolphins in dramatic fashion in Wagga Wagga with halfback Jamal Fogarty kicking the first field goal of his career.

Ricky Stuart's side have now strung three straight wins together and will be a tough side to face with the club showing its resilience and character last week, orchestrating a tough win in the wake of five-eighth Jack Wighton signing with South Sydney.

The Bulldogs, hot off the heels of their first win since Round 5 with a tight victory over St George Illawarra will head to Brisbane with just a five-day turnaround.

Cameron Ciraldo's side has had a horror injury toll to start the season but will need star centre Jake Averillo and halfback Matt Burton to back-up their Round 9 performances if they're to get the job done against Canberra on Friday.

In 2021, it was the Raiders who prevailed when the two sides met in a thrilling 20-18 Magic Round clash.

The Green Machine enjoy Magic Round more than their opponents with a 2-1 record since 2019 while the Bulldogs are yet to feel the magic, having never recorded a win at the NRL's festival of football.

Round 10 - Round 10 - Friday 5 May

Full Time

Bulldogs

Raiders

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Highlights Latest

Team News

Bulldogs: Despite a couple of major injury worries through the week, they'll take the field as named, with Max King (ribs) and Jacob Kiraz (knee) good to go. Teenage prodigy Karl Oloapu is named to come off the bench for a second game while Franklin Pele (arm) has also been included and is set to play.

Raiders: No late changes for coach Ricky Stuart, with Xavier Savage making his return for the Green Machine on the wing at the expense of Albert Hopoate. Ata Mariota comes into the 17 after making a successful return from a broken hand a fortnight ago. Corey Harawira-Naera moves to the reserves.

Round 10 - Round 10 - Friday 5 May

Full Time

Bulldogs

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Xavier Savage
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Declan Casey

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Josh Reynolds

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Matt Burton

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Karl Oloapu

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Jayden Okunbor

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Franklin Pele

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Samuel Hughes

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Harrison Edwards

Replacement for Raiders is number 19 James Schiller

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:50 AM

Stat Attack

The Bulldogs have lost all three Magic Round games since 2019.
The Raiders have won their past six games against the Bulldogs.
The Raiders have the best goalkicking percentage in the NRL this season (90 per cent).
The Bulldogs have not won at Suncorp Stadium since 2015.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.