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The Raiders take on the Bulldogs at 3pm this Saturday at Suncorp Stadium in the NRL Magic Round where they hope to get a win under their belt.

This weekend is set to be a thriller as the Raiders play in game three of eight matches that are being held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

The last few weeks have been tough for the men in green, but this weekend will hopefully get the team back on their feet.

With the Bulldogs currently sitting at the bottom of the ladder, this is the win that the Raiders are desperate to get.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Caleb Aekins
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Cotric
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian Kris
  • Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Nick Meaney
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis Scott
  • Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Tuipulotu Katoa
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Semi Valemei
  • Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Brandon Wakeham
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Jake Averillo
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams

Forwards

  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Luke Thompson
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
  • Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
  • Prop for Bulldogs is number 16 Ava Seumanufagai
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Emre Guler
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Adam Elliott
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Corey Harawira-Naera
  • 2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Chris Smith
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
  • Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Renouf Atoni
    Lock for Raiders is number 15 Dunamis Lui

Interchange

  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bradley Deitz
    Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Hudson Young
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Josh Hodgson
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Matt Doorey
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
  • Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Ofahiki Ogden
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ryan James

Reserves

  • Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Joe Stimson
    Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Matthew Timoko

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Last Time They Met

The last time these two sides met was in round 16 of 2020, the Raiders won 34-20. Jack Wighton and Tom Starling both managed to score doubles in this match.

Key Match-Ups

Bailey Simonsson v Nick Cotric

After scoring his first try for the season last weekend in Wagga, Bailey Simonsson will be eager to dive over again.

Simonsson continues to make valuable metres from the back with a running average of 113 metres in the 2021 season.

But this weekend will be tough for Simonsson as he goes head-to-head with former teammate Nick Cotric who plays the Raiders for the first time since his departure.

Cotric’s strength and speed make him dominate in post-contact metres and is hard to stop close for the line.

With ex-teammates set to go against each other, it is bound to be an interesting contest.

Play of the Week: Williams sets up Simonsson

Tom Starling v Sione Katoa

Each week Tom Starling has been explosive from behind the ruck, directing his forwards around the park and setting up for his ball players.

Despite the Raiders losses over the last few weeks, Starling has managed to be solid, and last week made 52 tackles, which was the highest in the game.

Starling will come up against Sione Katoa who has also been consistent in the middle for the Bulldogs despite their unsuccess.

With the Bulldogs shifting their team around, Katoa will have to remain strong in the middle, and work with his halves if they want to win.

Emre Guler v Luke Thompson

After a strong performance last weekend against the Knights, Emre Guler will be hoping to back it up on the weekend.

Securing his spot in the Raiders side after returning to the NRL from injury in round six, Guler has proved to be a hard-working forward.

Playing for just 40 minutes last week, Guler managed to run 96 metres and make 30 tackles. This week will be no different for the prop as he faces Luke Thompson.

Thompson, also a workhorse will be hard to stop on Saturday with his ability to break tackles and offload.

Running a total of 137 metres in his clash against the Dragons last week, Thompson will be one to watch for the Bulldogs, making an exciting battle of the forwards.

Head to Head

The Raiders have played the Bulldogs 37 times, with the Raiders winning 19 and the Bulldogs winning 18 matches.

Acknowledgement of Country

Canberra Raiders respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.