Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 12 Preview

Round 12 of the Canberra Raiders Cup will commence across the region on Saturday, following a division-wide bye due to the wet weather.

Queanbeyan Blues v Goulburn City Bulldogs, Seffiert Oval, Saturday 11 July, 3:00 pm

The Queanbeyan Blues will host the Goulburn Bulldogs at home at Seffiert Oval for our Match of the Round.

With the home side currently sitting third on 12 competition points, they will be looking to lock in their top-four position and place even more of a threat on the Belconnen Sharks, who currently sit in second.

Blues outside back Jamie Mazzarol Kotz admitted his side weren't up to there best in the performance, whilst also giving credit to the Sharks for their display. 

"It was the age-old concept of beating ourselves not to discredit the Sharks at all, I think they are a fantastic team," Mazzarol Kotz said. 

"We went away from our gameplan in the second half and that showed through and they were able to capitalise on that and walk away with the win."

Prior to the defeat against the Sharks, the Blues produced two comeback victories and whilst they were able to claim the two points, the side from Queanbeyan knowing their game currently needs improvement.  

"Every game we are playing at the moment we are going through it with a fine-tooth comb, and I think it highlighted that we have been lucky with a few games with results going our way through minimal margins."

"Every time we fail it's a learning opportunity at the end of the day, losing a game in round nine doesn't matter it's the end goal that we are trying to shoot for that does."

Their opponents this weekend sits outside the top four on for and against with the joint leader of the Les McIntyre Medal; when voting went silent, aware of the need to be up for every performance in the run home. 

"The Bulldogs have some great wins in the past few weeks, we are wary of that, and we aren't taking anyone lightly especially at this time of year, at the end of the day it's whatever team rocks up on the eight minutes on the Saturday."

Meanwhile, for Goulburn, they are currently sitting sixth and are hoping to make a late push for a finals spot, with outside back Tomasi Bikaca declaring the side's confidence is building each week. 

"Every day at training you feel the confidence building up, I know we are definitely ready for this week, especially with the week off, our bodies are ready to go again for another war," Bikaca said. 

The Bulldogs enter this round after two impressive wins against the Kangaroos and Bulls respectively, with this putting them on the edge of the top four with the confidence building as they prepare for a contest against the defending premiers. 

"I know we are just outside the top four, and I know all the teams around us are really good, we just need to channel all the confidence that we have now to prepare for any team that comes along."

"This one will be a big week for us; we haven't had back-to-back to back wins this year."

The last time these sides faced off was in round two, with the Blues going out with a convincing 38-22 victory.

Woden Valley Rams v West Belconnen Warriors, Woden Park, Saturday 11 July, 3:00 pm

The Woden Valley Rams will host the West Belconnen Warriors in a middle-of-the-table clash at Woden Park.

With both sides currently on eight competition points, it’s down to point differential, with just six points separating the teams.

For the Rams, they currently sit fourth following two weeks off and will be fresh and ready to go to solidify their top four spot.

Sitting just behind them in fifth, the Warriors are going into this match in the winner’s circle, securing a convincing 34-10 triumph over the Magpies in round 10.

The last time these sides faced off was in round two, when the Rams walked away with a 26-14 win.

Queanbeyan Kangaroos v Yass Magpies, Seears Workwear Oval, Saturday 11 July, 3:00 pm

The Magpies will travel to Queanbeyan to face the Kangaroos at Seears Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Roos are currently sitting comfortably in first position, even though they went down 28-24 in round 10 against the Bushrangers.

Meanwhile, Yass are currently sitting eighth following their 34-10 deficit against the Warriors, and they will be seeking a win away from home to hopefully gain some competition points.

The last time these sides met was back in round two, where the Roos walked away victors by eight points 20-12.

Tuggeranong Bushrangers v Belconnen United Sharks, Greenway Oval, Saturday 11 July, 3:00 pm

The Bushrangers will be back on hosting duties, where they will face the Belconnen Sharks at Greenway Oval.

Sitting in seventh, the Bushrangers will be looking to boost their for and against after their 28-24 victory over the first-placed Roos.

Meanwhile, for the Sharks, they sit in second position after having the bye in round 11 and their upset 18-10 win in round 10 over the Blues.

The last time these two sides clashed was in round two, where the Sharks walked away comfortably with a 20-point victory, 38-18.

The Gungahlin Bulls will have another week off for Round 12. We will welcome them back for Round 13, where they will come up against the Warriors at Raiders Belconnen.