Match day guide and preview for the Canberra Raiders 2022 round 9 game against the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium.

Match details

Who: Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs

When: Friday 6 May 6pm

Where: GIO Stadium Canberra

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Head-to-head record: Played 70. Raiders 33 wins. Bulldogs 37 wins.

Team lists

Beloved Raiders’ skipper Jarrod Croker will play his first NRL match of the season as he nears game 300. Co-captain Elliott Whitehead comes back in after recovering from a facial injury. With Jack Wighton suspended, Matt Frawley comes into the starting five-eight spot. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moves to fullback and Jordan Rapana to the wing. Adam Elliott has been named as the starting hooker, while Sebastian Kris comes onto the bench to provide some versatility.

The Dogs welcome back captain Josh Jackson and winger Brent Naden with Billy Tsikrikas and Jayden Okunbor dropping out.

Season so far

Raiders 14^th | 114 points for | 197 points against | 2 wins & 6 losses | LLLLL

Yet another predictable fade out loss to the Warriors added to Canberra’s misery, with the club now on a five-match losing streak.

Second halves continue to be a huge problem for Canberra, with last week the fifth time in eight games they have failed to score in the second 40 this season.

While the effort is still there for most of the game, the Raiders just look like a team completely devoid of confidence and direction.

This is simply a must win game for Canberra, with a loss against the Dogs at home sure to bring plenty of heat on coach Ricky Stuart and the entire club.

Bulldogs 15^th | 86 points for | 191 points against | 2 wins & 6 losses | WLLLL

The Bulldogs went into last week under serious pressure having lost six in a row but managed to produce a stellar upset over the Roosters.

The Dogs had conceded over 30 points in their previous five matches, but it was their resolute defence that held out the Chooks late to seal the win.

A gritty win like that should give them plenty of confidence and they would have to fancy their chances of coming to Canberra and claiming back-to-back wins.

Last 5 meetings and GIO Stadium history

• 2021 round 10: Bulldogs 18 – 20 Raiders at Suncorp Stadium
• 2020 round 16: Raiders 34 – 20 Bulldogs at GIO Stadium
• 2019 round 12: Bulldogs 10 – 12 Raiders at ANZ Stadium
• 2018 round 17: Bulldogs 28 – 32 Raiders at Belmore Sports Ground
• 2018 round 5: Raiders 26 – 10 Bulldogs at GIO Stadium

The Raiders have had the Doggies measure over recent years, winning the previous five straight encounters and seven of the last eight.

It was a close contest last year in Magic Round, with the Raiders narrowly escaping Brisbane with a win despite a Josh Papalii send off.

Since 2010, the sides have met at GIO Stadium nine times with Canberra holding a narrow 5-4 edge over the Dogs.

Player spotlight

Raiders – Jarrod Croker and Adam Elliott

The fan favourite returns for his first game of the season and should add plenty of leadership and experience to a Raiders side in desperate need of both.

Croker has really been made to earn his spot back, spending the first part of the season in the NSW Cup, but the timing is now right for the skipper to return.

While the 2022 season is looking rather grim for Canberra, Raiders fans would love nothing more than to see Croker find his old form and get to game number 300.

Elliott may have a point to prove coming up against his old side for the first time since they let him go last year

The 27-year-old will be looking to back up his best game for the Raiders last week, where he ran for 123 metres and had 3 offloads playing a different role.

The versatile forward will once again start at hooker after playing the position well against the Warriors and will likely move into the middle forward rotation after that.

Bulldogs – Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr

Burton was one of a few high-profile recruits that arrived at the Dogs over the off-season and has shown glimpses of his supreme talent throughout the start of the season.

He has a lethal left boot that can help turn a poor set into a great one, evidenced by his ridiculously good 40/20 torpedo kick against the Roosters last week.

His short kicking could probably use a bit of work, but Burton is still only 22 years old and has a stack of improvement left in his game.

After a somewhat slow start to his time at the Dogs by his lofty standards, Addo-Carr has started to find his groove over the last few weeks.

The try scoring machine failed to fine the line in the first five rounds, but has since scored five tries in the last three matches, including a double against the Roosters.

The Fox has seemingly brought plenty of experience from his successful time at the Storm and has clearly had a positive influence over his less experienced teammates.

Pre match predictions

Clutch Croker: Jarrod Croker to be perfect from the tee to deliver the Raiders a win.

Hot Schoupp: Aaron Schoupp to score his first try of the season.

Other match details

Gates open at 4pm with a juniors match between the Gungahlin Bulls and Yass Magpies to start at 4.10pm.

This is the Canberra Raiders ‘Forever Green’ game with past players and coach invited back. At half-time, the past players in attendance will perform a lap of honour.

The NRL match will be broadcast live on Fox League channel 502 at 6pm and is also available to stream on Kayo. Overseas fans can watch via Watch NRL.

You can listen to the match on Raiders on Mix (Mix106.3 FM), Radio 2CC (1206 AM) and ABC Grandstand (666 ABC AM).

Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.