The Canberra Raiders have beaten the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28-22 in an entertaining NRL trial at the Bega Recreation Ground.
A strong wind threatened to play a key role in the contest and the Bulldogs were fortunate to use it in the first half.
The Raiders came home with that advantage in the second and ran the blue and whites down in the final minutes.
After disappointing seasons in 2018, both sides were looking for a quick start to the new season and it was the Bulldogs who looked to be the sharpest of the two early on.
A double to Kerrod Holland and tries to Aiden Tolman and Reimis Smith set up a dominant 22-6 lead at the break, after Royce Hunt had opened the scoring for the Raiders.
With Kieran Foran finally on the field and the Bulldogs looking enthusiastic and sharp in attack, they were clearly the better side in the first 40 minutes.
The Raiders were clunky at best and failed to create meaningful chances. The Canterbury defence held out the green machine on a number of occasions and the lack of variety in attack from the Raiders was clear for all to see.
As is the case with trial matches, Dylan Napa, Foran and other Bulldog stars were rested in the second half, as the Raiders took advantage with Nick Cotric benefiting on the left edge with a double.
Sam Williams added some much need spark when he took to the field and the young Dogs had no answer over the final half hour as the Raiders ran riot.
More important than the result was the performances of some potentially key players for both teams in 2019. Napa only played a cameo role but looked excellent for the Bulldogs.
Jeremy Marshall-King added some spice to the attack and Sauaso Sue worked hard in the middle along with Ofahiki Ogden.
The Raiders staff will have been impressed with the performances of Emre Guler, Corey Horsburgh and Royce Hunt, who all look like staking claims on a first grade spot at some stage of the season.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was solid at the back and the longer the game went, the better Jack Wighton became.
The replay will be far more important to the coaches than the score line and both sides will walk away feeling that they did a lot right in an entertaining and competitive trial.
Final Score
Canberra Raiders 28
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 22
The Barry
Roar Guru
Wouldn’t be the worst result - I’m looking forward to seeing more of Meaney but it seems odd they’d play Hoppa at fullback in their only trial, he sets up two tries and they move him into the centres.
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
No I think Nick Meaney should and will play at fullback. He looked more than competent, and I think he has potential.
AE47
Roar Rookie
Napa is such a force, personally I feel he has the edge over Klem. Don’t think the raiders can hold out the bigger sides though for 80mins and whilst I’ve always liked Williams there’s not enough magic up his sleeves, Dogs have a lot of youth and energy a fit Foran combined with youthfulness of Lewis will make them unpredictable. Lewis mmmmmmmm he’s gonna be huge so measured, calm and level headed, don’t like dogs there the enemy but I will be watching Lewis
The Barry
Roar Guru
Watched the first half this morning. Don’t want to get carried away with trial form but some encouraging signs. Foran was running really aggressively at the line and ball playing at the line. Playing both sides of the park too. Big involvements in the Dogs first two tries Napa got through plenty of work in his 20 or so minutes Hopoate’s hands were sublime in Holland’s two tries...he’ll start at fullback Jackson ball playing again after putting that side of his game away under Hasler The second man plays they put on were miles better than the last couple of seasons. Players in motion, genuine options for who could get the ball, done at pace and close to the defensive line Dogs played pretty tight for 10-15 but were then more expansive, regularly going two passes wide of the ruck Raiders has about 4-5 sets in the Dogs line at about the 25 minute mark. D was strong with Raiders getting over the line but held up a couple of times. Of concern is I’m really not sure about Montoya as a right centre or Crichton as a left winger. Defence for the Raiders first try was pretty soft For the Raiders, Papalii and Soliola got through loads of work. Tapine looked great on the right edge. Wighton didn’t get a lot of opportunities but he had a couple of nice little touches...one inside ball in particular was pretty slick.