NRL 2026, Canberra Raiders, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Round 3, preview, official team lists, injuries, updates, Fantasy

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 19 Mar 2026, 06:37 PM

Round 1 winners the Bulldogs will travel to Canberra to take on a Raiders side looking to bounce back following a disappointing showing in New Zealand.

After stealing a golden point win with an Ethan Sanders field goal in their opening game, Ricky Stuart’s men were thoroughly outplayed 40-6 by a undermanned Warriors outfit.

At home for the first time this weekend, the Raiders will be hoping to show their fans more of the steel that saw them claim the minor premiership last year.

Fresh off the bye following their great escape in Las Vegas against the Dragons, the Bulldogs will be hoping to set a positive tone early in the match and learn from their lapses in Round 1.

In that game, skipper Stephen Crichton stood up with a golden point field goal to get the team off to a winning start, but against a fire-up Raiders, the Dogs will need to be on their game throughout.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Thursday 19 Mar

Full Time

Raiders

Bulldogs

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Highlights Latest

Team News

Raiders: Representative prop Josh Papalii returns after being sidelined with concussion and will slot straight in to start in the front row. Morgan Smithies moves to the interchange bench. One minor change in Wednesday's 24-hour team update, with Jed Stuart replacing Matt Timoko as the sixth player on the Raiders bench. Owen Pattie drops out of the final squad.

Bulldogs: Enari Tuala comes in for his first appearance of 2026, slotting in at centre with Bronson Xerri omitted. Tuala's elevation to the starting side brings in off-season recruit Sean O'Sullivan to the extended bench as the 19th player. No other changes from the side that got the job done in a close contest against the Dragons in Las Vegas. No late changes.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Thursday 19 Mar

Full Time

Raiders

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi Sasagi

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari Tuala
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden Brailey

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Zac Hosking

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Morgan Smithies

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh Curran

Reserves

Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Daine Laurie

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Sean O'Sullivan
Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Jed Stuart

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Jake Turpin

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 3/22/2026 2:22:24 AM

Stat Attack

The Raiders have won five of their past six games against the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium.
Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his past five games.
Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored seven tries in his last seven games at GIO Stadium.
Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton has scored 10 tries in eight games against the Raiders.
Ricky Stuart will achieve the milestone of 300 games as Raiders coach.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.