Raiders Secure Victory in Tense Match Against Bulldogs in Magic Round Opener

In a thrilling start to Magic Round, the Canberra Raiders managed to secure a hard-fought 24-20 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a game filled with twists and turns.

The Raiders initially raced to a 12-0 lead, capitalizing on errors from the Bulldogs before a mix-up between Xavier Savage and Jordan Rapan gave the Bulldogs a chance to get on the scoreboard.

However, the momentum shifted when key Raiders players, Jordan Rapana and Josh Papalii, were sin-binned during crucial moments in the match.

Youthful talent Ethan Strange stole the show with an impressive performance, setting up two crucial tries for Hudson Young and showcasing his defensive prowess with game-changing tackles.

The game saw standout performances from players on both teams who are in contention for State of Origin selections, including Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr, and Stephen Crichton from the Bulldogs, and Hudson Young from the Raiders.

With Origin selections looming, players like Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, and Haumaole Olakau’atu are also pushing for spots in the New South Wales squad.

The match showcased the potential of young talents in the NRL, with both teams demonstrating skill and determination on the field.