Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 13 Preview

Round 13 of the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup sees an exciting mix of matches highlighted by a Match of the Round which is a must win for the Warriors and Bulls. 

West Belconnen Warriors vs Gungahlin Bulls, Sunday 19 June, Raiders Belconnen, 3:00pm 

The Gungahlin Bulls travel to Raiders Belconnen on Sunday for an important matchup against the West Belconnen Warriors as both sides look to keep their season alive. 

The Warriors enter the round after a disappointing eight-point defeat against the Rams away from home, with halfback Black Slater stating it was the side's inability to hold the ball which plagued them. 

"It was a bit of a disappointing game, it's hard to be in the game when you don't hold the ball," Slater said. 

The Warriors season has been marred by inconsistency with the young halfback stating it has been due to the lack of consistency in the team running out on the park. 

"I think it's just the fact we need to gel together, when we have the same team on the field it's unreal, we should get a couple of boys back this week and should be good."

This season has been Slater's first full season in the Canberra Raiders Cup competition, with the talented playmaker enjoying his time playing against former Raider Elliott Whitehead. 

"It's unreal, I'm loving it out there, playing off the back of Elliot has been so good for me."

"He just has a calm head on his shoulders that allows me to go out there and play my normal game with no pressure." 

The Warriors will be looking to overturn the result from the previous matchup against the Bulls and will be striving for a strong performance on their multicultural day. 

"It was their old boys' day, and they really came out to play, we really need to stand up, it's our multicultural round this week and if we go out there and play the way we can it should be good."

Meanwhile, for the Bulls they currently sit last and three wins outside of the top four, with injured fullback Ryan Grocott stating the start to the season hasn't replicated their strong preseason. 

"It definitely hasn't portrayed the pre-season that we had, we are halfway through the season so hopefully we can change things up," Grocott said. 

Despite, sitting last the Bulls have been in every game with this providing the side with confidence that they are close to turning their season around. 

"We have been in every game, and we just haven't got the results that we are after, but the whole competition is tight, it's good and helps every play better so hopefully we can put a few results together."

Currently sitting with the fourth best defensive record, the Bulls will be looking to express themselves with ball in hand, however, will stick within their structure. 

"We aren't going to go away from our structure because we've worked towards it for so long, but we are going to try a few different things can change the defensives minds." 

The Bulls will be looking to shut down the edges of the Warriors outfit, with Grocott stating the move of Whitehead to the back row has added an element to their side. 

"They are a stronger team with Whitehead in the backrow, so we are going to have shut down their edges defensively." 

Goulburn City Bulldogs vs Belconnen United Sharks, Saturday 18 June, Workers Arena, 3:00pm

The two most in form teams in the competition clash at Workers Arena as the Goulburn City Bulldogs welcome the Belconnen United Sharks in a thrilling contest. 

The Bulldogs enter the contest fresh off a strong victory away from home against the Queanbeyan Blues and cemented themselves as a title contender in the process. 

Meanwhile, the Sharks most recent outing was a comprehensive display at Greenway Oval against the Bushrangers, which saw them lock down second position. 

In their previous matchup this season it was the Sharks walking away with the two competition points with a twenty-point win, with the Bulldogs looking to defend their home turf in similar fashion. 

Woden Valley Rams vs Queanbeyan Kangaroos, Saturday 18 July, Woden Park, 3:00pm

The Queanbeyan Kangaroos travel to Woden Park this Saturday for a top four clash against the Woden Valley Rams. 

For the Rams, they enter this round after defeating in the Warriors in a high scoring affair at this same venue, which has become a fortress for the club, only losing two games at Woden Park this season. 

Meanwhile, after a couple of weeks out of the winner's circle, the Kangaroos bounced back on track in round 12 with a demolition of the Yass Magpies at home, with the side looking to build on this momentum. 

The previous matchup between these two sides came in round five at Seears Workwear Oval, with the Kangaroos claiming a ten-point victory in what was a physical battle in the middle. 

Yass Magpies vs Tuggeranong Bushrangers, Saturday 18 July, Walker Park, 3:00pm 

The Yass Magpies will be looking to bounce back this weekend as they return home to Walker Park for a matchup against the Tuggeranong Bushrangers. 

It was a tough afternoon for the Magpies last round against the Kangaroos, with the side looking to overturn the heavy defeat and keep their slight finals hopes alive, with their hopes boosted by a return to their home ground. 

Whilst, for the Bushrangers they also enter this weekend after a heavy defeat against the Sharks and will be looking to kickstart their finals charge with the two competition points on the weekend. 

When these sides met earlier in the season it was the Bushrangers who claimed the two competition points in dominating fashion with a victory by sixteen points.