Canberra Raiders Cup Under 19s: Grand Final Preview

The future of the Canberra Region Rugby League will be on full display this weekend as the Goulburn City Bulldogs take on the Gungahlin Bulls in the 2025 Under 19s Grand Final. 

For the Goulburn City Bulldogs, they return to the Grand Final after suffering a defeat against the Woden Valley Rams last season, with captain Toby Ferris stating that the side doesn't want to experience it again. 

"It was a heartbreaking loss. We definitely do not want to go through that again. We have to be prepared, ready to go and just rip in when it's time," Ferris said. 

The Bulldogs have been the team to beat this year in the Under 19s competition, having only lost one game in the regular season on their way to finishing minor premiers, with their defence being the key. 

"Probably, through our defence it's been very solid throughout the season and how we show up for each other is another reason why our season's been great." 

Goulburn are yet to be beaten by the Bulls this season, however, are extremely wary of the side from Gungahlin, specifically their size in the middle of the park.

"They're a solid team all-round, I think we just have to try and stop their middle pack as much as we can."

"They are a pretty big side, so as long as we try our best to stop them, we have a good chance."

Whilst for the Bulls, they are the only senior side to qualify for the Grand Final after finishing in the bottom half of the top four, with this being an achievement five eight Toby Bodycott is proud of. 

"It's been a great effort, scrapping into the four and coming into the grand final, it has been a huge achievement for us, and we are extremely proud of that," Bodycott said. 

Gungahlin have fully embraced the title of being the underdogs and letting the lack of expectations fuel their fire. 

"We have nothing to prove to anyone, no one is expecting anything of us, it's given us that confidence to prove we have enough to go through."

Despite this the Bulls are aware that they will have to be at their best to overcome the competitions most consistent side. 

"They are a strong side, and we will look to play our best against them."

If their previous matchups are anything to go by this Grand Final will be an exciting contest, with margins of four and two splitting the two teams in the regular season, you won't want to miss the 10:45 kick off at Seiffert Oval.