The Toyota Forklift Raiders have defeated the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium Canberra in a must win clash as they fight for their finals ticket.
This was a must win battle for the Raiders, with finals just around the corner it was clear they wanted to prove why they deserve their spot in the top eight.
Both sides came out with some serious intent, but it was the Bulldogs who got on the attack first as they looked to threaten the Raiders try line early on, but the Raiders defence proved too strong, putting a stop to everything that came their way.
A strong run from Nick Cotric saw the Green Machine gain some valuable field position, flipping the momentum and putting the Bulldogs on the backfoot.
Canberra capitalised on this, with Jamal Fogarty and Jordan Rapana combining down the right edge to put Matthew Timiko over the line to score in the 11th minute.
Jarrod Croker was successful in converting the first try of the day, giving the Raiders a 6-0 lead.
It was an end-to-end battle with both sides trying to force their way through the opposition defence.
Fogarty tried to take control of the match with his skillful kicking game in the 25th minute, placing a well weighted kick to force a Bulldogs line dropout.
Matt Burton took a short dropout which saw Josh Addo-Carr regain possession and break away for the Bulldogs, until Joe Tapine put a stop to the attack.
With the Bulldogs on the front foot, they spread the ball wide to find winger Blake Wilson who scored in the 27th minute. Burton converted to make it 6-all.
The Raiders were quick to reply, with the in-form Fogarty putting a pinpoint chip down the left edge as he looked for Croker, who won the aerial duel to score in the 31st minute.
The Raiders veteran also converted his own try from out wide to give the Raiders a 12-0 lead.
Just minutes later, second rower Villiame Kikau regained possession for the Bulldogs off the back of a charge down which resulted in a Jacob Kiraz try in the 35th minute. Burton levelled the score once more, converting to make it 12-all.
Just before halftime, the Raiders forward pack charged their way down-field as the boys in green tried to take the lead again.
With 20 seconds remaining in the half, Fogarty attempted to kick a field goal but narrowly missed, hitting the right upright, leaving the score locked in at 12-all heading into the break.
Returning from the sheds, the Bulldogs appeared to break away through Addo-Carr down the right edge in the 43rd minute, but Raiders interchange winger James Schiller made a crucial ankle tap to force the Canterbury player out of play.
Corey Horsburgh narrowly missed out on a try just a minute later, losing possession over the line as he stretched desperately in an attempt to ground the ball after burrowing his way through the Bulldogs defensive line.
This only fueled the fire for Canberra, with the Green Machine continuing to apply pressure to the visitors.
A smart play initiated by Zac Woolford from hooker saw Rapana and Timoko link down the right edge once again for Timoko to complete his double.
Croker successfully converted from the sideline to further the Raiders lead to 18-12 in the 50th minute.
In the 55th minute the Bulldogs bit back, with halfback Toby Sexton scoring off the back of back-to-back sets. Burton converted to make it level at 18-all.
In the 59th minute Kikau was penalised for failing to let Rapana play the ball, granting the Raiders a penalty which saw Fogarty kick for touch.
The hosts attacked down the right edge with Rapana finding Cotric out wide on the wing to score a crucial try in the corner.
Croker once again proved his worth behind the tee, converting from the sideline to give Canberra a 24-18 lead.
Elliot Whitehead earned his kicking license tonight thanks to a well-placed, improvised grubber, forcing a line dropout for the Bulldogs.
The Green Machine regained possession with their forward pack asserting dominance with some fierce hit-ups.
Hudson Young made a strong run and a quick play-the-ball which allowed Starling to swiftly put Rapana through a hole to score his first try of the match in the 67th minute.
Croker continued to convert at 100% tonight, boosting the Raiders lead to 30-18.
Canberra continued to pile on the pressure with their relentless attack, with Papali’I scoring under the sticks in the 72nd minute thanks to a short-ball from Tapine.
Croker comfortably converted from in front, making it 36-18 as the Raiders began to run away with the game.
Canterbury later scored in the 78th minute through Liam Knight, but it was too little, too late. Burton converted to leave the score at 36-24.
Papali’I continued to be an enforcer until the end, forcing an error off the back of the kick off with a bone rattling shot, allowing the Raiders to regain possession.
This saw the Green machine defeat the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 36-24 at home as they fight to cement their place in the finals.
