Canberra Raiders Cup: Washout Round Preview

Due to round seven being cancelled at the start of the season, the washout round will have many blockbuster clashes with two teams racing for a spot in the top four.

Tuggeranong Bushrangers Vs Yass Magpies

3:00 pm, Saturday 23rd of August at Greenway Oval

This week’s match of the round sees the Tuggeranong Bushrangers take on the Yass Magpies in a must-win clash for the home side.

The Bushrangers enter this week off the back of a bye and are looking to continue their nine-game win streak and to cement themselves within the top four, with captain co-coach Darby Medlyn saying the break was welcomed by the group. 

"I think the boys are feeling pretty good for having a rest, we played eight in a row, so it was pretty well earnt rest for the boys, and I think it'll do us well," Medlyn said. 

Since Round Eight the Bushrangers have not dropped a game, with the connection of the group underpinning the recent run. 

"I think it's just been taking things week to week, and everyone says that, but that's honestly what it has been, we've been really present in what we've been doing and been really connect."

"For us it's about enjoying each other's company and showing up for each other and I think that's why the boys liked back-to-back games and staying on a roll and I think it did pretty well for us."

This weekend, the Bushrangers are looking to lock in their finals spot, however, are wary of the dangers which the Magpies will present on Saturday. 

"Yass are always tough you only got to look at our last game we played against them, they were really tough at home, they are always up for it, and they will be coming to spoil our party this weekend."

"Really confident in what we have been doing, we are all just enjoying our footy and although we are looking at ten straight, they have all been must win games after a really slow start to the year, so confident in what we are doing but up for a big one this weekend." 

Meanwhile, the Yass Magpies are coming off a tight 24-14 loss against the Quenbeyan Blues. Although falling short, the Magpies never gave up and fought for every minute of the match.

The last time these two sides met the Bushies narrowly came away with a 24-16 victory, which kick-started their current nine-match winning streak.

Both teams have a point to prove with the Magpies looking to potentially knock the Bushies out of the top four and end their season while the Bushrangers will be aiming to cement their top four spot and aim to leapfrog over the West-Belconnen Warriors.

Belconnen United Sharks Vs Woden Valley Rams

3:00 pm, Saturday 23rd of August at NSWRL HQ, Bruce

In the final home game of the year, Belconnen United hosts the Woden Valley Rams in what is a must-win clash for the away team.

The Woden Valley Rams enter the washout round with a strong 30-18 win against the Goulburn City Bulldogs and look to leapfrog over the Bushrangers into the top four spot.

Meanwhile, Belconnen United fell to the Warriors 50-22 in a dominant showing by the home side last weekend.

The last time these two sides met the match ended in a 20-all draw at Phillip Oval in round 11.

We could see another tight match in Bruce as the Sharks will be aiming to improve after last weekend's result while the Rams will be praying that the Bushies lose and will be aiming to get up against the Sharks.

West Belconnen Warriors vs Gungahlin Bulls

3:00 pm, Saturday the 23rd of August at Raiders Belconnen.

The West Belconnen Warriors will host the Gungahlin Bulls at Raiders Belconnen this weekend.

The Westies are coming off the back of a thumping 50-22 victory against the Sharks, which sees them cement their top four position.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are coming off the back of a 38-22 loss to the Queanbeyan Kangaroos.

The last time these two sides met the Westies narrowly came away with a 24-14 victory at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval.

If the Westies get up against the Bulls, they will be hosting the semi-finals match at home but an upset by the Bulls would see them lose that opportunity for a home semi-final.

Goulburn City Bulldogs Vs Quenbeyan Kangaroos

3:00 pm, Saturday the 23rd of August at Workers Arena

The Goulburn City Bulldogs will host the Queanbeyan Kangaroos at Workers Arena this Saturday.

With the dominant 38-22 win against the Bulls, the Roos have claimed back-to-back minor premierships, and will no doubt give them a huge boost come finals time.

Meanwhile, the Goulburn City Bulldogs suffered a narrow 30-18 loss against The Rams at Phillip Oval last weekend.

The last time these two sides met the Roos came away with a dominant 40-16 victory at Seears Workwear Oval in Round 11.