The Canberra Raiders have beaten the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28-22 in an entertaining NRL trial at the Bega Recreation Ground.
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Final score
Canberra Raiders 22
Canterbury Bulldogs 18
NRL trial action continues as the Canberra Raiders take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs live from Bega. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm (AEDT).
After a season that fans of the blue and white will never forget, a new look Canterbury side will take to the field tonight.
With significant departures and some exciting new players coming into the squad, the Bulldogs look young and hungry.
The biggest question mark around Dean Pay’s men in 2019 may be experience in the key positions and whether they have recruited well enough after the salary cap dramas of last year will be an ongoing question for the boys from Belmore.
The Raiders finished just four points ahead of the Bulldogs table after another disappointing season under Ricky Stuart’s guidance.
With just ten wins and a squad seemingly deep enough to play finals football, the Raiders fans will be hoping the men in green finally start to fulfil some of the promise shown over the last few seasons.
Whilw that promise is significant, there are been little consistency about their performances.
Losing close games and major mental errors hampered their push for September last season and the first step in returning the green machine to the finals will be an increased level of composure at key moments and the ability to close out games when required.
In a boost for the Raiders, Jarrod Croker will play and all eyes will be on the new Bulldogs forward Dylan Napa after his off-season of controversy and drama.
Prediction
With a high rate of interchange expected thanks to the trial format, it is tough to line up teams in these early season hitout.
I’ll tip the Bulldogs in this one, only because they probably need a few morale boosts to get their season on track and may leave a stronger squad on the field for longer periods in this game.
Just a theory really!
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 6pm (AEDT).
Where: Bega Recreation Ground Bega
When: Saturday 23rd February 2019, 6pm (AEDT)
TV: Live Streaming on the NRL website and app
Raiders
Luke Bateman, JJ Collins, Nick Cotric, Jarrod Croker (c), Emre Guler, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Seb Kris, Siliva Havili, Josh Hodgson (c), Corey Horsburgh, Royce Hunt, Dean Matterson, Jack Murchie, Josh Papalii, Tony Satini, Aidan Sezer, Bailey Simonsson, Sia Soliola, Tom Starling, Harley Smith-Shields, Ryan Sutton, Joe Tapine, Matt Timoko, Elliott Whitehead, Jack Wighton, Sam Williams, Hudson Young
Bulldogs
Adam Elliott, Aiden Tolman, Chris Smith, Christian Crichton, Corey Harawira-Naera, Danny Fualalo, Dylan Napa, Francis Tualau, Jack Cogger, Jayden Okunbor, Jeremy Marshall-King, Jesse Marschke, John Olive, Josh Jackson, Kerrod Holland, Kieran Foran, Lachlan Lewis, Marcelo Montoya, Michael Lichaa, Morgan Harper, Nick Meaney, Ofahiki Ogden, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Reimis Smith, Renouf To’omaga, Rhyse Martin, Sauaso Sue, Tui Katoa, Will Hopoate.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Geoff, they looked to fatigue very quickly which might be a long term positive because they were poor in the first half. Perhaps they are just a week or two out of sync when it comes to match fitness. Lacking in direction in my opinion and the collision focus of Stuart seemed to still be there. Little creativity off the fringes. It didn't look like much had changed. The Bulldogs looked very different. Which they needed to. It was an interesting tussle!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Definitely a case of the first half telling the real story. Mate, I can assure you, they looked good and the competition for spots was obvious. I was at the AGM last week and chatting with the Board, coaches and players, you could see the energy. They genuinely believe they will shock the competition this season. There is a lot more behind the decisions the board made than what mainstream media realise. Happy to give you my thoughts if you would like to email me. Some of the info is eye opening.
AE47
Roar Rookie
TB , thanks !
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Some promising signs for the Dogs in the first half Baz. Sounds as though the Raiders couldn't match their enthusiasm and were on the back foot for the first 40. Would have been interesting to see what would have happened if they'd both kept their best 17 on for the full game. Some worrying signs for the Raiders in that they've started slowly in both trials but at least they've found something in the second half to get up and win.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Thanks Geoff You never want to read too much into trials but it’s hard not to when you’re heading into such a season of unknowns like the Dogs are...Raiders too I guess.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Baz - from what I've been able to glean from the Raiders supporters website it was firsts versus firsts in the first half (Dogs 22-6 at half time) and rezzies versus rezzies in the second half (Raiders 22 zip in the second half). Guess our rezzies are better than yours but your firsts dominated the Raiders for most of the first half. Canberra's right edge was missing both BJ and Rapana with two rookies in their place and two tries were scored down that side. Can imagine some Dogs supporters could fill you in on who impressed. Wighton was pretty ordinary at 5/8 in the first half but showed some good signs in the second. Seems like Horsburgh had another big game for the Raiders up front - junior Kangaroo - expecting some big things from him so I hope Sticky has enough sense to put him on the bench. At least the Raiders have been winning some close ones in the trials so hopefully they can take that in to the season proper.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hi Stu - were the Raiders at or near full strength for the first half or was it a case of Dogs firsts v Raiders reserves and then vice versa...?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
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
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog and be sure to stick around for the Sharks and Eagles at 7:30pm. Match report to follow in ten minutes.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Canberra Raiders…………………………..28 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
80' The Bulldogs kick off and the Raiders play a solid set to end the game. Canberra Raiders…………………………..28 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79' The conversion is SUCCESSFUL. Canberra Raiders…………………………..28 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79′ No video referee here today and the try is given.
Canberra Raiders…………………………..26
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
78' TRY RAIDERS....the try is given although the ball appeared to be obviously knocked on. Canberra Raiders…………………………..26 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
77' Now Young makes metres down the left from the kick-off and the Raiders look like they may have scored in the corner. Canberra Raiders…………………………..22 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
AE47
Roar Rookie
Papi , did ya see young Harley ? Nothing better than watching a young lad you coached as a junior make it with the big boys! Even if it is a trial , GO HARLEY , great young man from a great family
Stuart Thomas
Expert
76' The conversion is SUCCESSFUL.......scores are tied. Canberra Raiders…………………………..22 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
74' Croker does well and Simonsson scores in the corner....TRY RAIDERS! Canberra Raiders…………………………..20 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
74' Okunbor hammers a Raider in the centre of the field before the green machine head down the left edge. Canberra Raiders…………………………..16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22
Stuart Thomas
Expert
74' The Bulldogs kick long and the Raiders build a set. Canberra Raiders…………………………..16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs………22