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The Bulldogs will have taken plenty of heart from their effort against the Panthers and they continue to show strong signs of improvement under the leadership of Stephen Crichton.

The blue and whites have racked up victories over the Titans, Roosters, Knights and Wests Tigers in 2024 and head into a stretch of games coach Cameron Ciraldo would see as very winnable against the Raiders, Dragons, Knights and Eels.

With Crichton, Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton and Reed Mahoney leading the way the Bulldogs have been competitive in most matches and that resolve will get a stern test against Ricky Stuart's no-frills Raiders outfit.

Coming off a gutsy win over Manly and then a bye, Canberra will be refreshed and ready to continue a Magic Round roll that has seen them beat the Bulldogs twice (2021 and 2023) and also the Sharks (2022).

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Raiders v Bulldogs

Team News

Raiders: As was the case the last time Canberra played prior to their bye, Josh Papali'i reverts back to the bench on game day and Emre Guler starts at prop. No other changes, with Nick Cotric preferred on the wing over Albert Hopoate, who goes back to 18th Man. 

Bulldogs: Josh Curran moves into the run-on side with Jaeman Salmon out after he was hospitalised with a staph infection. Jacob Preston is on the bench after initially being set to start in Salmon's place. Poasa Faamausili is the new man on the bench. Blake Taaffe is the replacement player. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Kaeo Weekes
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Drew Hutchison

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Raiders is number 17 Emre Guler
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jacob Preston
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey Mooney
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Poasa Faamausili

Reserves

  • Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert Hopoate
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 20 Blake Taaffe

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Raiders have won their past eight games against the Bulldogs.
  • Canterbury have lost all four Magic Round games.
  • The Raiders have won their past three Magic Round games.
  • Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 20 tries in 20 games at Suncorp Stadium.
  • Raiders winger Nick Cotric has scored five tries in his last seven games at Suncorp Stadium.

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

Acknowledgement of Country

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs respect and honour the Darug and Eora nations, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.