Arguably the match up of Round 3, the Bulldogs will head down the Federal Highway to face the Canberra Raiders in the nation's capital on Thursday night.
After coming off a big defeat in New Zealand, the Raiders will be desperate to claim the two competition points in their first home game of the season, while the Bulldogs will be raring to go after two weeks out following a Round 2 bye.
Match: Raiders v Bulldogs
Round 3 -
home Team
Raiders
11th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
6th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 3 Match Preview.
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Raiders and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
Only one change to the Bulldogs' line up following the one-point thriller in Las Vegas, with Enari Tuala coming into the centres for Bronson Xerri. No other changes from the side that got the job done in a close contest against the Dragons in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Ricky Stuart has brought back in representative prop Josh Papalii returns after being sideline with concussion. Morgan Smithies moves to the interchange bench, while Matt Timoko shuffles down to 19th player.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio TamaleWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi SasagiCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari Tuala
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan SandersHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden BraileyInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Zac HoskingInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata MariotaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Morgan SmithiesInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Daine LaurieInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Sean O'Sullivan
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Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Matthew TimokoInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake Turpin
Reserves
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Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Owen PattieReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jonathan Sua
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Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Joe RoddyReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Lipoi Hopoi
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Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Jed StuartReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Fletcher Baker
Raiders Ins
- Jed Stuart
- Josh Papalii
- Owen Pattie
Bulldogs Ins
- Fletcher Baker
- Jonathan Sua
- Lipoi Hopoi
- Sean O'Sullivan
Raiders Outs
Bulldogs Ins
- Bronson Xerri
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
History vs Raiders and Last Time Out: Round 10, 2025
Since Canberra's entry into the NSWRFL in 1982, the Bulldogs and Raiders have done battle on 76 occasions, with the Blue and White taking home 39 victories.
The rivalry peaked in the early 1990s, with a number of fierce battles including the 1994 Grand Final, which saw the Raiders claim their last Premiership. But the Bulldogs got back in the best way possible the following year with a memorable Preliminary Final victory en route to the 1995 title.
Highlights: Bulldogs vs Raiders - 1995 Preliminary Final
And who could forget the last time these teams faced one another? After staring down the barrel of a 20-nil half-time deficit, Cameron Ciraldo's men pulled off one of the great comebacks of 2025, sailing home with a wet sail with a 32-20 win.
With the stage set in Canberra, there will be no shortage of motivation for both teams as they clash in this Thursday night thriller in a renaissance of sorts.
Match Highlights, Round 10 - Bulldogs v Raiders
Key Match Up: The Backrowers
While there are a number of tantalising match ups across the park, it's hard not to get excited about opposing second rowers Jacob Preston and Hudson Young.
Just a few months ago the pair were sharing the spoils as the Kangaroos romped to an Ashes Series whitewash, and now they face up against one another in this all-important clash.
While Preston didn't feature in any Tour Matches, his selection was a reward for his strong form throughout the 2025 series that also saw him brought into the NSW State of Origin camp.
Preston and Galvin Combine in Las Vegas!
The 24-year-old started 2026 in barnstorming fashion, scoring a try, running 136 metres and making 44 tackles with a 100% efficiency in the Round 1 victory.
His opposite has yet to cross the white stripe after two contrasting results for the Raiders, averaging an impressive 130 run metres and 36 tackles with an 88.9% tackle efficiency.
What They Said: Stephen Crichton and Sitili Tupouniua
Stephen Crichton Round 3 Media
Sitili Tupouniua Round 3 Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- The Raiders have won five of their past six games against the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium.
- Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his past five games.
- Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored seven tries in his last seven games at GIO Stadium.
- Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton has scored 10 tries in eight games against the Raiders.
- Ricky Stuart will achieve the milestone of 300 games as Raiders coach.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Where to Watch
Bulldogs Members and supporters will be available to watch the match Channel 9, FoxSports and streamed via Kayo.
