Bulldogs v Raiders: Kiraz, King good to go; Savage returns
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.
Match: Bulldogs v Raiders
Round 10 -
home Team
Bulldogs
14th Position
away Team
Raiders
10th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
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.
Match: Bulldogs v Raiders
Round 10 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze PerhamFullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Raiders is number 2 Xavier Savage
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake AverilloCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul AlamotiCentre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Declan CaseyWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Josh ReynoldsFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Matt BurtonHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai JuniorProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-MarinerLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Karl OloapuInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Jayden OkunborInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Franklin PeleInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Samuel HughesInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Harrison EdwardsReplacement 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:
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.
