Canberra Raiders Cup: Round Nine Preview

Round Nine of the Canberra Raiders Cup will kick off on Saturday with a full round commencing across the region, with a top four headlining the action as the Match of the Round.

Woden Valley Rams v Belconnen United Sharks, Saturday 20th June, 3:00 pm, Woden Park

In this week's Match of the Round, the Woden Valley Rams welcome the Belconnen United Sharks to Woden Park for an exciting top four encounter. 

With both sides sitting third and fourth respectively, this clash will be one to watch in Canberra this weekend

With only a 13-point differential between the teams, both will be looking at two scenarios: either close the gap to make it even closer or extend the gap further and shake up the top four.

After a tight 6-point defeat in Round Eight against the West Belconnen Warriors, Sharks winger Ben Kami identified that his side went away from their process in the closing stages of the contest. 

"As a team we fell off our process a bit throughout the game and that the end that's what led us to that result," Kami said. 

"We need to do better next time, stick at it and take it one week at a time and trust in our process." 

The talented outside back made his First-Grade debut towards the back end of the 2025 season and has solidified his spot in the team this season, crediting the support of his Captain Coach Zac Patch to his development.   

"It's really good, it keeps me confident playing out there with all of these older men and the physicality, you've got your boys by your side, and I wouldn't want to do it with any other team." 

Situated on the left wing for Belconnen United, Kami is enjoying his time playing outside the halves combination of Clyde Parsons and Jordan Holten-Williams, saying they make his job easier. 

"Our halves in Clyde and Jordan, they are really special to the team, throwing that shape and just making our outside backs job easier."

Meanwhile, for the home side, they will be coming into this match on a high following a 40-16 win against the Bulls in Round Eight, a performance which saw the Rams return to their early season form according to Josh Fattore. 

"The most pleasing aspect was getting back into the winner's circle, we started our season off really well, but we just went away from our own game with those three losses in a row but it's good to be back in the winner's circle after the Bulls game," Fattore said.  

Despite losing a number of players to rival clubs in the off-season, Fattore said it has provided players with opportunities they may not have had in previous years. 

"We've got a really strong group this year and heading into the season a fair few teams wrote us off because we didn't really recruit many people, but it's provided a lot of opportunity for our reserves and under 19s."

With the way the opening half on the season has transpired anyone can beat anyone on their day, with Fattore and Rams aware of the closeness of the competition and the challenge it presents. 

"There's not much difference between teams, everyone is pretty close other, so you've got to go into every game playing your best to get those two points." 

"It's excitement we want the challenge it's what we play footy for, and it provides teams with opportunities, and we are ready to take them." 

Despite, the run of defeats the Sharks are on, the Rams halfback is expecting them to return to the style of footy that produced results at the beginning of the season. 

"They'll probably flush that and comeback out and play there normal footy, they are a very good team so we need to make sure we turn up on Saturday and give it our best shot because we know that they will be doing the same thing."

Either the Rams or Sharks will cement themselves inside the top four with a victory ensuring this an encounter you will want to keep your eye on.  

Goulburn City Bulldogs v Queanbeyan Kangaroos, Saturday 20th June, 3:00 pm, Workers Arena

The Goulburn Bulldogs will be back at home on Saturday to host the Queanbeyan Kangaroos at Workers Arena. 

Goulburn will be looking to bounce back after a 10-point defeat in Round Eight against the Bushrangers.

Meanwhile, the Kangaroos will be looking to keep their strong winning momentum going after a much-needed bye for the first-grade side.

For the Bulldogs Clinton Latham comes into the starting halfback position, with Mitch Cornish missing the important contest.  

The backline pairing of Lucas Thomson and Adam Quinlan is continuing to star in the Roos lineup each week, and this weekend will surely be no different.

This will be the first time these two sides have clashed in the 2026 season and is set to be a great across-town clash.

Queanbeyan Blues v Tuggeranong Bushrangers, Saturday 20th June, 3:00 pm, Seffiert Oval

The Queanbeyan Blues will be on back-to-back hosting duties, where they will be hosting the Bushrangers.

With the Blues sitting comfortably in second place, they will be looking to retain this position following their close four-point win against the Magpies in Round Eight.

Meanwhile, the Bushrangers are currently sitting sixth after their comeback 30-20 win against the Bulldogs.

Queanbeyan Kangaroos Leagues Club Man of the Match in Round Eight, Trae Bennetto, will be looking to star once again after converting all of the Bushrangers' tries and scoring one on his own.

For the Blues, Jamie Mazzarol-Kotz will be looking to add to his total points with 68 scored so far this season, putting him second overall in the competition, plus seven tries scored in seven games.

Yass Magpies v Gungahlin Bulls, Saturday 20th June, 3:00 pm, Walker Park

The Gunghalin Bulls make the road trip to Yass on Saturday to face the Magpies in an important contest for both sides.

A victory for either side will see them gain some much-needed winning momentum and points on the scoreboard after tough losses last weekend.

The Magpies came close last weekend against the Blues, but only a try separated the final score 24-20, and they currently sit in ninth.

In a similar situation, the Bulls are currently eighth on the ladder and were defeated by the Rams 40-16. However, the team are looking resilient to bounce back in this match.

With both sides keen for a win, is it for certain that all the players will leave everything on the field at Walker Park.