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NRL Round 19 Match Preview: On For Young and Old

The Bulldogs will be looking to continue their recent form to propel themselves into finals contention in a late season surge against a Raiders side that will be desperate to emulate their heroics of 2025.

Make sure you're there on Saturday as we celebrate Old Boys' Day in a blockbuster double header with the NRLW side taking the field! 

Download Your 2026 NRL Team Poster here!

As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 19 Match Preview.

Teamlists and Team News 

Jacob Kiraz has been named to play despite suffering a rib injury in the Round 17 win over the Titans. Jacob Preston is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from an arm injury suffered against the Storm in Round 12. Skipper Stephen Crichton looks set to back up from Origin Three in his new gig at five-eighth.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Sebastian Kris
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Matt Burton
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi Sasagi
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Enari Tuala
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Jethro Rinakama
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Stephen Crichton
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey Horsburgh
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Owen Pattie
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Curran
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Harry Hayes
    Lock for Raiders is number 13 Zac Hosking

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Alekolasimi Jones
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Jack Underhill
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Josh Papalii
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Lipoi Hopoi
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Daine Laurie
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Bronson Xerri
    Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Chevy Stewart
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Sean O'Sullivan
    Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Morgan Smithies

Reserves

  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jacob Preston
    Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Coby Black
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Logan Spinks
    Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Jed Stuart
  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jed Reardon
    Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Joe Roddy

Bulldogs Ins

  • Jacob Preston
  • Jed Reardon
  • Logan Spinks

Raiders Ins

  • Coby Black
  • Daine Laurie
  • Jed Stuart
  • Joe Roddy
  • Josh Papalii
  • Noah Martin

Bulldogs Outs

Raiders Ins

  • Jake Clydsdale
  • Jayden Brailey
  • Savelio Tamale

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Ricky Stuart has named Ethan Strange at five-eighth pending how much game time he gets in Origin Three and how his ankle holds up after he rolled it during the Blues camp. Hudson Young has also been named to back up after the decider. A huge boost in the pack with Josh Papalii returning from a calf injury while back-rower Noah Martin (ankle) is in line for his first game since Round 8. Seb Kris replaces youngster Savelio Tamale, who had a horror day on the wing against the Dragons before the bye. Daine Laurie returns from a suspension on the bench.

History vs Raiders and Last Time Out: Round 2, 2026

The Bulldogs and Raiders have battled on 77 occasions since 1982 - Canberra's entry into the NSWRFL - with the Blue and Whites holding the ledger with 40 wins and a 52% winning rate. 

The rivalry between the two clubs peaked in the 1990s, with both sides winning Premierships and facing off in a number of fierce finals matches; which of course includes the 1994 Grand Final and the 1995 Preliminary Final. 

NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs v Raiders - Round 3, 2026

In recent years, the Bulldogs have enjoyed some famous victories against the Raiders, including the memorable 22-18 win at Belmore Sports Ground in 2024 en route to the finals, and who could forget the incredible comeback win at GIO Stadium in Round 10 last season?

Last time out, it was a low scoring and soggy night in the nation's capital when these two teams faced off in Round 3, with the Bulldogs grinding out a 14-10 victory. 

Connor Tracey was the hero that night, with his defensive prowess shutting out the Raiders in the final minute to secure the match. 

Key Match Up: Teammates Turn Rivals

Origin teammates become rivals in a three-day span with Stephen Crichton and Ethan Strange named to face off this weekend.

Crichton's recent move to the no.6 jersey has propelled the Bulldogs to two consecutive victories, and the skipper will be aiming to make that three on the trot when he lines up against his Blues' teammate.

Critta Sets Up Curran!

Since moving into the five-eighth role in Round 16, Crichton has scored a try, kicked eight goals (as well as a match-winning field goal) while forcing three dropouts. He's also added in three try assists and nineteen points to boot. 

Meanwhile, Strange has had a strong season in lime green despite the Raiders' current position having scored four tries, set up a further five while creating seven line breaks in his thirteen matches. 

Assuming both players will come out unscathed, keep an eye on the two number sixes to lead their side to victory. 

What They Said: Enari Tuala & Harry Hayes

Enari Tuala Round 19 Media

Harry Hayes Round 19 Media

Stat Attack via NRL.com

  • The Bulldogs have won four of their last five games at Accor Stadium.
  • The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Raiders.
  • Bulldogs Captain Stephen Crichton has scored nine tries in his last seven games against the Raiders.
  • The Raiders play their first game at Accor Stadium since 2023.
  • Raiders hooker Tom Starling will play his 150th NRL game.

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 NRLW match on Channel 9, with the NRL match broadcasted on FoxSports, or streamed via Kayo. 

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.

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