The Raiders play host to the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium on Friday night in clash between two clubs who will be desperate to get their season's back on track for different reasons.
Canberra's five-game losing streak has come with its flashes of brilliance, messiness and heartache while the Bulldogs jagged their second win of the season over the Roosters last week and will want to ensure it's not a one-off.
It will be the 39th time the sides have played each other since 1998 with the Raiders holding a 20-18 record overall and having won the past five outings between the clubs with victories since 2018.
The occasion will be an intriguing one for former Bulldog Adam Elliott, who lines up against his former club for the first time, while Nick Cotric also takes on Canterbury after a disappointing 12-month stint in blue and white.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Raiders v Bulldogs
The Rundown
Team news
Raiders: A minor late change for the home side with Corey Harawira-Naera to start, shifting Ryan Sutton to the bench. Veteran captain Jarrod Croker will play his first NRL game of the year, replacing Semi Valemei in the centres. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is also back in the No.1 jersey, shifting Jordan Rapana to the wing and Xavier Savage to the reserves. Adam Elliott maintains the starting hooker spot with Sebastian Kris the new man on the interchange. Harry Rushton is 18th man.
Bulldogs: There are no late changes for the visitors. Skipper Josh Jackson returns from COVID-19 to take his place at lock which shifts Max King back to the bench and Billy Tsikrikas (suspension) out of the 17. Brent Naden is also back on the right wing, replacing Jayden Okunbor, who is 18th man.
Match: Raiders v Bulldogs
Round 9 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Brent Naden
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jake Averillo
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt FrawleyFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Luke Thompson
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Adam ElliottHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Corey Waddell
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
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Lock for Raiders is number 15 Corey Harawira-NaeraLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Ryan SuttonInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Biondi-Odo
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Joe Stimson
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Sebastian KrisInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Max King
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ava Seumanufagai
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Harry RushtonReplacement for Bulldogs is number 23 Jayden Okunbor
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Josh Papalii v Luke Thompson: Two international forwards lock horns for a possible World Cup appetiser in round nine with Papalii and Thompson among the leaders of their respective packs and crucial to the side's chances on Friday. Papalii has been quiet to his usual career standards this season, averaging just 116 metres per game despite his minutes the same as last year. Thompson has benefited from the new arrivals in the engine room at Belmore this season, allowing his own game to focus on quality rather than quality.
Stat attack
The Raiders (102) and Bulldogs (94) both share a passion for offloads this season, leading the competition for second phase play in front of the Sharks, Eels and Storm. Joseph Tapine and Corey Horsburgh lead for the Green Machine on 12 each while it will come as no surprise that Bulldogs recruit Tevita Pangai jnr has 25 so far to start the year, more than any other player in the NRL. Another recruit, former Storm prop Max King, has 16, adding to the club's overall total.
Match: Raiders v Bulldogs
Round 9 -
home Team
Raiders
12th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
