Canberra Raiders Cup 2022: Round 6 Preview

The Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup competition returns this weekend after a bye round, headlined by the Woden Valley Rams taking a trip out to Workers Arena to play the high-flying Goulburn City Bulldogs.

Goulburn City Bulldogs v Woden Valley Rams, Workers Arena 3pm Saturday 21st May

This weekend’s match of the round will see the Goulburn City Bulldogs take on the Woden Valley Rams in Goulburn, with a win for either team likely to go a long way to pushing them into the top two.

After a fast start to the season, the Bulldogs were not able to hold off the undefeated West Belconnen away from home three weekends ago, falling to their only loss of the season.

Despite that defeat, assistant coach Adam McLaurie believes that the team learnt a lot from the season so far, and even with the three week absence due to a bye and representative round they are ready to put on a great display.

“It’s not ideal having the last few weekends off, but we have however had some really good character-building sessions,” he said.

“To start three and one we are really happy, but we have so much to improve on which is a really good thing going forward.”

Following a tight defeat of their own to West Belconnen, the Rams will be looking to cement their spot in the top four with a big win away from home.

It has only been the top two teams that have been able to defeat Woden Valley this year, with a win against a heavy hitter like Goulburn likely to cement their premiership credentials.

For Woden player Brad Prior, the last few weeks have been a real confidence booster for the team, as they look to put together an 80-minute performance this weekend.

“We have been building a lot of confidence through the group over the past few weeks. Three and two is probably where we expected to be sitting and we have been moving forward each week,” Prior said.

“Once we start helping ourselves on the field we will take that next step, but at the moment we are looking really good.”

Queanbeyan Kangaroos vs Yass Magpies, Seears Workwear Oval 3pm Saturday 21st May

After a tough start to the season, both the Queanbeyan Kangaroos and the Yass Magpies will be looking to find some form as they head into some the mid-section of the season.

Fresh off a big defeat at the hands of their Queanbeyan rivals a fortnight ago, the Roos will be looking to reset after last weekend’s representative round and come out firing against their fellow slow starters.

Despite coming close on multiple occasions, Queanbeyan haven’t quite been able to secure their first victory of the season, with this weekend shaping up to be the perfect opportunity to break their maiden.

In their way stands the Yass Magpies, who after an interrupted beginning of the season are striving to find some consistency heading into round six.

Following a tough loss to the table topping Tuggeranong Bushrangers two weeks ago, the Magpies will be looking to find the form this weekend that saw them defeat last year’s minor premiers, Gungahlin, in round four.

Tuggeranong Bushrangers vs West Belconnen Warriors, Greenway Oval 3pm Saturday 21st May

The West Belconnen Warriors will be looking to continue their undefeated start to the season, coming up against the Tuggeranong Bushrangers away from home.

Fresh off two gritty wins against fellow top four sides Woden Valley Rams and Goulburn City Bulldogs, they will be keen to make it five from five this Saturday.

Current best and fairest leader Robert Roberts will be just one of the numerous stars looking to continue their good form. However in their way stand the table topping Bushrangers.

Since their round two loss to the Queanbeyan Blues, Tuggeranong have been near unstoppable, comfortably winning every match over the last month.

Their 178 points scored so far this season is a league high, whilst their 70 conceded is also a competition low, proving their capabilities on both ends.  

This weekend will certainly be their toughest challenge yet, with the Bushrangers likely to need the likes of Liam Oakley and Zac Saddler, who both sit inside the top three in the best and fairest, to fire if they want to cement top spot.

Belconnen United Sharks vs Queanbeyan Blues, NSWRL HQ Bruce 3pm Saturday 21st May

The Queanbeyan Blues will be looking to take the momentum from their Queanbeyan Derby demolition into this weekend, coming up against the Belconnen United Sharks.

Following an inconsistent start to the season, a win this weekend could very well push the defending premiers back into the top four, as they look to kickstart their title defence.

Ex-Raider Terry Campese will be keen to continue his hot start to the season, with the Blues hoping that he can lead from the front again this weekend.

After a tough start to their campaign, Belconnen were able to secure a confidence building win against Gungahlin last round and will be looking to take that momentum into this weekend.

Despite a few big losses to start the season, the Sharks could very well be in the hunt for a top four spot with a win this Saturday. The side will be looking for another 80-minute performance like last round’s if they want collect the two-points against the Blues.