Both coming off tight wins, the Raiders and Bulldogs meet in Brisbane to kick-off the NRL’s Magic Round for 2023.
Match details
- Who: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders
- When: Friday 5 May 6pm AEST
- Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Weather: max 25. Chance of rain 20%
- Click here to buy tickets
- Head-to-head record: Played 71. Raiders 34 wins. Bulldogs 37 wins.
Raiders and Bulldogs team lists
Xavier Savage will play his first NRL game of the year and has been named on the wing in place of Albert Hopoate who will miss the match to attend his sister’s wedding. Corey Harawira-Naera has been dropped to the reserves with Ata Mariota replacing him on the bench.
The Bulldogs have made three changes with Jacob Kiraz, Max King and Franklin Pele all returning.
Season so far
Raiders 11th | 153 points for | 194 points against | 4 wins & 4 losses | WBWWL
After a difficult week for the club, the Raiders made it three wins on the trot with a thrilling 31-30 win over the Dolphins in Wagga Wagga.
The Green Machine started the game on fire, jumping out to an 18-0 lead after just 20 minutes, but Raiders’ fans know their side doesn’t like winning comfortably, so the Dolphins were always going to comeback.
With the score all tied up at 30-30, Canberra had a late chance to kick a field goal but inexplicably didn’t even attempt a shot. Through a slice of luck in golden point, the Raiders were given another chance to slot a field goal and this time Jamal Fogarty delivered.
While it was disappointing to let the Dolphins back into the game, the Raiders showed plenty of great signs and deserved to walk away with the two points.
Jack Wighton and Ricky Stuart both fighting back tears after the game showed just how much of a toll the week had played on the club, so it was great to see them respond with a win that now puts them right back into the mix for finals.
Bulldogs 13th | 145 points for | 224 points against | 4 wins & 5 losses | WLLLW
The Bulldogs must have done something to piss the football gods off because they have been decimated by injuries so far in 2023.
Despite the rather large injury toll, the Dogs have still managed four wins already, including an incredibly gutsy 20-18 victory over the Dragons last week.
Jake Averillo was the star for Canterbury, showing off his blistering pace with two long range tries to set up the win.
Matt Burton is enjoying wearing the number 7 on his back, but there is concern over who partners him in the halves with neither Kyle Flanagan or Josh Reynolds setting the world on fire.
This Bulldogs squad has shown plenty of character already this season and they should give themselves every chance of getting their fifth win of the year.
Last 5 meetings and Magic Round history
- 2022 round 9: Raiders 14 – 4 Bulldogs at GIO Stadium
- 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
The Raiders have a terrific recent record over the Dogs, winning the last six straight and eight of the last nine.
There have been a number of close games though, with Canberra winning three of those games by 4 points or less.
The match last year was pretty low quality, but the Raiders came into the game on a five-match losing streak and the win set them on their way to play finals.
These two teams have met in Magic Round once before, with the Raiders claiming a comeback 20-18 victory in 2021. That round was the NRL’s infamous crackdown on high contact and Canberra got the win despite a Jack Wighton sin bin and Josh Papali’i send off.
Canberra have won two of their three Magic Round matches, while the Bulldogs are yet to register a win from three attempts.
Pre match predictions
The Wizard of Hors: Corey Horsburgh to continue his hot form and weave some magic to score a try. Raiders by 10.
X marks the spot: Xavier Savage for a try, line break and 150 run metres in his return on the sting. Raiders by 6. – Denholm Samaras
Have any predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
Other match details
Gates open 4.30pm
This is the first match of the NRL’s Magic Round where all eight games are played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fans can buy tickets to any of the three days here.
The Raiders game begins at 6pm and is followed by the Broncos vs Manly match at 8.05pm.
The match will be broadcast live on Fox League 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), ABC Grandstand (666 AM)
