The Raiders have shot out to a 12-nil lead after two brutal Bulldogs errors gifted the Green Machine two easy tries in the opening 20 minutes.
Xavier Savage scored the first points of Magic Round when he scooped up a loose ball — dropped by Connor Tracey — to score.
Canberra extended their lead when Jacob Kiraz coughed up the ball 10 metres out from the Bulldogs’ line. It landed straight into the chest of Seb Kris, who crossed for the second try of the night.
“Two absolute gifts with blue and white ribbons on them delivered to the Raiders,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said in commentary.
The only place to watch every game of every round LIVE with no ad-breaks during play is Fox League, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Follow all the action in our live blog below. Can’t see it? Click here.
MATCH PREVIEW
Magic Round 2024 kicks off at 6pm AEST with a clash between the Raiders and Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.
The Raiders are fresh off the bye and welcome back Jordan Rapana at fullback in what will be the veteran’s first game since re-aggravating a knee issue in Round 5.
In a late change by coach Ricky Stuart, Josh Papalii was dropped back to the bench like he was in Round 9 with Emra Guler to start at prop.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were forced into a change 24 hours out from kick-off after Jaeman
Salmon was struck down by a staph infection. Josh Curran has been promoted to start in the second row with Poasa Faamausili joining the bench.
While the Bulldogs are coming off a loss, they put in an admirable performance against the reigning premiers and will be looking to build on that to get back into the winner’s circle.
TEAMS
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 17. Emre Guler 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 8. Josh Papali’i 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney. 18th man: 18. Albert Hopoate
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 15. Josh Curran 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston 19. Poasa Faamausili. 18th man: 20. Blake Taaffe
Source Agencies
