Raiders v Bulldogs: Horsburgh ruled out; Burton back from ban
The national capital will be buzzing on Saturday afternoon for the clash of the two hottest teams in the NRL right now.
The Raiders took their record to 7-2 for the season with a nailbiting golden point triumph over the Storm on Sunday night, after the table topping Bulldogs had run in six tries to put the Titans to the sword earlier in the day.
Both clashes between these sides in 2024 were decided by just four points, with the Raiders getting the money 24-20 at Magic Round before the Bulldogs prevailed 22-18 at Belmore later in the season.
After missing the finals last year, the Raiders have been a revelation in the opening nine rounds of 2025, and they get a golden opportunity to make a statement against one of the genuine title contenders in front of the Green Machine faithful.
Match: Raiders v Bulldogs
Round 10 -
home Team
Raiders
4th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
1st Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team News
Raiders: Corey Horsburgh has been ruled out due to concussion. The forward left the field in the closing minutes at Suncorp Stadium last week for a HIA and was initially named to play but has now been withdrawn. Veteran Josh Papalii remains on the bench, with Simi Sasagi coming from the reserves to start as prop. Manaia Waitere and Danny Levi remain as reserves in the 24-hour update. The Raiders are chasing six wins on the trot.
Bulldogs: Matt Burton returns from suspension in the No.6 jersey so Bailey Hayward reverts to the bench. Jacob Preston has been banned for four games after being found guilty of a crusher tackle at the judiciary so Harry Hayes will start the game in the second row, while Lipoi Hopoi has come onto the bench. Blake Wilson and Luke Smith remained in the reserves when the squad was trimmed to 19.
Match: Raiders v Bulldogs
Round 10 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio TamaleWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Raiders is number 15 Zac HoskingProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Matty Nicholson2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan SmithiesLock for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen PattieInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Josh PapaliiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata MariotaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Bailey Hayward
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Simi SasagiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 21 Lipoi Hopoi
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Manaia WaitereReplacement for Bulldogs is number 20 Blake Wilson
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won nine of their past 10 games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have not won at GIO Stadium since 2015.
- Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored six tries in his last four games at GIO Stadium.
- Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton has scored nine tries in seven games against the Raiders.
- Raiders centre Matt Timoko has scored four tries in his last four games against the Bulldogs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
