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.
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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.
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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