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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.

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.

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 Papalii
  • 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:

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.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours 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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