NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Bulldogs
The Canberra Raiders will host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at GIO Stadium on Friday night in a must watch round nine clash.
It will be an important game for the Raiders as the club is celebrating their 40-year anniversary with the Forever Green Round. Many former Raiders players and coaches are expected to return with a lap of honour to be held at half-time.
Following the heartbreaking golden point loss against the Warriors up at Redcliffe last Saturday, coach Ricky Stuart has made a plethora of changes, headlined by the return of Jarrod Crocker who hasn’t played in the NRL since August last year.
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 Papali'iProp 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:
Last Time They Met
The only difference between these two sides when they faced off in round ten last year was a penalty goal, with the Raiders edging the Bulldogs out 20-18.
Key Matchups
Brad Schneider v Kyle Flanagan
These two young halfbacks have had a weight of responsibility thrown on their shoulders by their respective teams and have answered well despite neither of them playing over 50 games.
Brad Schneider has been incredible stepping up into the NRL following Jamal Fogarty injury, leading and directing an experienced forward pack around the park. Schneider has tallied three try assists and two line break assists whilst converting at over 85 percent this year.
Flanagan has only played half of Canterbury’s games this season and has faced some tough opponents. He will be motivated to lead the Bulldogs to their second consecutive win this Friday but will have to bring his A-game.
There’s no doubt that come Friday one of these halves will be a deciding factor in the final result.
Nick Cotric v Josh Addo-Carr
These two are more than just your average winger. They’re electric in attack, they’re outstanding defensively and are always in the conversation when it comes to Origin time.
It’s already an important game for the Raiders with their 40-year anniversary celebrations but for Cotric it’s also his 100th game for Canberra. So far this year Cotric has been solid, averaging 83 running metres and three tackles busts a game.
Josh Addo-Carr on the other hand comes into this game in red hot form having scored back to back try doubles. Addo-Carr has been a handful to stop on top of that with 48 total tackle breaks this season.
Both players are a lethal weapon out wide and don’t be surprised if they pour on the points come Friday night.
Elliott Whitehead v Tevita Pangai Junior
This matchup sees two damaging forwards go head to head and you can bet neither of them are going to take a backwards step.
Elliott Whitehead will return to the lineup after two weeks out with a facial injury and is keen to get back out there and lead the Raiders into battle. Canberra have definitely missed Whitehead’s defence since he currently has a tackle efficiency of 94 percent.
On the other hand, Tevita Pangai Junior has turned into one of the most damaging forwards in the NRL with his strong runs and constant offloads. Pangai Junior averages four offloads a game which is the most in the competition this year.
Both these enforcers will be determined to put their side on the front foot and secure a much needed victory for their team.
Head to Head
The Raiders and Bulldogs have faced off 38 times and Canberra have the slight upper hand, winning 20 of them to Canterbury’s 18.
