Suncorp Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 11 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and Canterbury Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Canterbury Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs. Canterbury Bulldogs game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday May 17, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Where: Suncorp Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs Odds
Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview
Canberra and Canterbury head into Magic Round full of optimism and with an unlikely finals appearance in their respective sights.
After a free-falling fortnight in the wake of Jamal Fogartys injury with heavy losses to Brisbane and Cronulla, the Raiders rallied from 20-0 to beat Manly in Round 9 before basking in the bye last weekend.
The returning Elliott Whitehead was inspirational against the Sea Eagles, while fill-in halfback Kaeo Weekes gave the 5-4 Raiders fresh playmaking hope for Fogartys three-month absence. Jordan Rapana returns at fullback for this week, bumping Albert Hopoate out of the side.
Putting a slow start to the season behind them, the 4-5 Bulldogs continue to mix solid wins with gutsy losses: their victories over the Knights and Tigers were bookended by hard-fought, low-scoring away defeats to the Storm and Panthers.
Matt Burtons resurgence at five-eighth has been one of several individual highlights of Canterburys rise.
The Bulldogs have lost eight straight to the Raiders, including Magic Round thrillers in 2022 (20-18) and 2023 (34-30). The Raiders also won 36-24 at home late last season.
Canterbury has not conceded more than 26 points this season (or more than 16 in their last four games), while Canberra has leaked 24-plus in four of its last six.
That defensive discipline holds the $1.60 favourite Bulldogs in good stead but this Magic Round opener should go down to the wire.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs Tip
We're tipping Canterbury Bulldogs to win at $1.62 odds.
Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs Teams
Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Emre Guler 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Zac Woolford 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Peter Hola 22. Hohepa Puru
Bulldogs team: 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 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Toby Sexton 23. Blake Wilson
