Canberra Raiders Cup: Round Eight Preview

Round Eight of the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders sees a few key matchups which could see some movement around the top four, whilst a Bushranger brings up 100 Games in the Match of the Round.

Tuggeranong Bushrangers V Goulburn City Bulldogs, Saturday 13th June 3:00PM, Greenway Oval

The Goulburn City Bulldogs travel to Tuggeranong this weekend, welcomed by the Bushrangers in what is shaping to be a close showdown.

Having had the bye in Round Seven, this is the Bushrangers first game in three weeks following their heavy 42-4 defeat to the West Belconnen Warriors. 

For the Bushrangers, they haven't had the start season they've spoken about, but returning dummy half Liam Oakley is confident his side can pull off a similar run to last year. 

"[We've started] a lot better than last year, we've got two wins on the board, but we still aren't at the standard we spoke about at the start of the year," Oakley said. 

"We are confident that we know what we need to do, we've been in this predicament before, and we know how to get out of it." 

Saturday will mark Oakley's 100th First Grade game for the Bushrangers, a milestone that he was looking at the moment he entered the side. 

"It means a lot, it hasn't really sunk in for me yet, I've always looked forward to playing 100 games for the club when I was first 18."

"I always knew that I was going to do it, it's just taken a little bit longer than what I wanted but it is very special to me." 

Currently sitting in eighth on for and against, the Bushrangers can leap frog the Bulldogs with a victory on Saturday, with Oakley aware his side needs to be at their best to shut down the big Goulburn outfit. 

"They are a lot like us; they've got plenty of strike in their side, the Cornish's, Shammah and Tomasi so it's going to be a tough game for us."

"We are probably going to have to tire them out, they've got some big middles and big edges, if we can just stay in the grind with them, I think we will go a long way."

Following a narrow 30-26 loss in Round Seven, the Bulldogs will be eager to rediscover the attacking spark that has characterised their previous two victories, with winger Tomasi Bikaca declaring his side didn't perform up to their standard in the loss. 

"We definitely didn't perform to the standard that we thought we would be, we came out relaxed if I'm honest and I think we are going to change it up against the Bushies," Bikaca said.  

The Bulldogs are looking to return to the final's series, after a couple of years outside of the top four, with Bikaca stating the team's development is almost finished. 

"We are in a development stage right now, everyone's building up to the standard that they should be."

"I feel like we needed those couple of losses as well to rile us up and we are looking forward to changing the narrative over the next couple of games."

This is season is Bikaca's first at Goulburn, after a year with the Rams, with the barnstorming outside back enjoying his time at the new club and learning of the Cornish trio.  

"I love the community out there; I love the families and I'm grateful to apart of the community."

"It's really good, especially with the Cornish boys, they know how to put the team together but once we are out there just knowing they are controlling the whole space is something I look forward to every week."

"I'm excited to come to training, I'm learning so much from them and looking forward to pushing forward."

The Bulldogs will be well aware of the dangers their opponents present, with the focus shutting down the power of the Bushrangers.

"We know that are definitely going to come out strong, we are not taking any team lightly and we know they've got the power, they did it to us last year, but we are going to try and put up a fight. 

With both team’s desperate to return to winning ways and separate themselves from the bottom of the pack, this game is sure to provide plenty of action.

Belconnen United Sharks V West Belconnen Warriors, Saturday 13th June 3:00PM, NSWRL HQ Bruce

The battle of Belconnen comes to the forefront in Round Eight, as the Sharks and Warriors go head-to-head for the first time this season.

With the Warriors currently holding bragging rights over their cross-town rivals, following their 55-22 victory in the final round of the 2025 season, current form suggests things may be about to change.

Having suffered two narrow defeats in their previous outings, the Sharks will be hungry to return to the winner’s circle and strengthen their grip on second position.

Averaging 40.5 points a game during their four-game winning streak to start the season, the Sharks will be desperate to reignite their attacking capabilities.

On the other side of the field, the Warriors currently sit two points outside of the top four, with an opportunity to kickstart their season against one of their biggest rivals.

In pursuit of victory, the Warriors will be sure to get the ball in winger Brandon Withers hands, as he currently sits second in points scored this season.

Queanbeyan Blues V Yass Magpies, Saturday 13th June 3:00PM, Seiffert Oval.

Returning home after a few weeks on the road, the Blues welcome the Yass Magpies to Seiffert Oval for their round eight showdown.

The Blues have enjoyed a strong showing of form to start the season, sitting third on the ladder after narrowly defeating the fourth placed Rams 18-16 in round seven.

They will be looking towards strike fullback, Jamie MazzarolKotz, currently leading the competition for points and tries scored, as they look to build upon their three-game winning streak.

On the other hand, the Magpies will be looking to string together consecutive victories for the first time this season, following a 30-26 win against the Bulldogs in round seven.

With plenty of footy to still be played, the Magpies will be looking to turn their fortunes around heading into the second half of the season.

Woden Valley Rams V Gungahlin Bulls, Saturday 13th June 3:00PM, Woden Park

The Woden Valley Rams host the Gungahlin Bulls at Woden Park this weekend, as the Bulls will be looking to continue their turn of form in recent weeks.

Having had to wait until round five for their first win of the season, the Bulls have picked up two wins in their last three outings, notably edging out the second-place sharks 18-16 in Round Seven.

A victory this week would see the Bulls move to equal fourth with the Rams, raising the stakes for both teams.

For the Rams, they will be searching for the form that earnt them three wins in a row to start the season.

Since their 45-18 victory against the Bushrangers in round four, the Rams have slumped to a three-game losing streak, placing their hold on fourth place in striking distance to the trailing teams.

With both teams eager to prove themselves worthy of a top four position, this matchup stands out as one of the key games of the week.