Raiders v Bulldogs: Rapana right to go; Curran in for Salmon
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.
Match: Raiders v Bulldogs
Round 11 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan RapanaFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
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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 Josh Addo-Carr
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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 Kaeo WeekesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Drew Hutchison
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny LeviHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Raiders is number 17 Emre GulerProp 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 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan SmithiesLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata MariotaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jacob Preston
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey MooneyInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Poasa Faamausili
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert HopoateReplacement 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.
Match: Raiders v Bulldogs
Round 11 -
home Team
Raiders
8th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
