2026 R3 Thu - Canberra 10-14 Canterbury @ GIO

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2026 - Round 3
Canberra Raiders v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal (TICKETS)

Thursday 19 March 2026
Kickoff 8:00pm AEDT
Live on Nine Network, 9Now, Fox League, Kayo Sports

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Daine Laurie 19. Matthew Timoko 20. Owen Pattie 21. Joseph Roddy 22. Jed Stuart

Changes from last match:
In: Josh Papalii (front row), Daine Laurie (bench)
Changes: Morgan Smithies (front row to bench)

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Jake Turpin 21. Jonathan Sua 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Fletcher Baker

Changes from last match:
Out: Bronson Xerri (centre)
In: Enari Tuala (centre), Sean O'Sullivan (bench), Jake Turpin (bench)

Referee: Adam Gee
Sideline Officials: Phil henderson, Dave Munro
Video Referee: Ashley Klein

HEAD TO HEAD - 1982 - 2025​

	TOTAL	CANBERRA	CANTERBURY	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	76	37	39	0
GIO	28	17	11	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2023	Round 10	CANBERRA 34-30	Suncorp	50077
2023	Round 25	CANBERRA 36-24	GIO	12402
2024	Round 11	CANBERRA 24-20	Suncorp	50971
2024	Round 22	CANTERBURY 22-18	Belmore	18110
2025	Round 10	CANTERBURY 32-20	GIO	23827

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2007	Round 22	CANTERBURY 52-4	Telstra	12127
2008	Round 15	CANBERRA 58-18	ANZ	9845

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Round 7
CANBERRA	CRONULLA (H)	NEWCASTLE (A)	SOUTH SYDNEY (A)	MELBOURNE (H)
CANTERBURY	NEWCASTLE (H)	SOUTH SYDNEY (A)	PENRITH (H)	PARRAMATTA (A)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 1		Round 2
CANBERRA	MANLY	W 29-28	WARRIORS	L 6-40
CANTERBURY	ST GEO ILLA	W 15-14	(BYE)

STATE OF PLAY: 2026 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
CANBERRA	11th	2	0	1-1-0	35	68
CANTERBURY	6th	1	1	1-0-0	15	14

 

[0neye]

 

[This Year?]

View attachment 110657

Bahahahahahahaha that is GOLD!!

Can you do one of Braith Anasta doing that to Phil Rothfield but holding a wine glass?

*edit* I love AI

 

[Fangs]

Should be a cracker.

Raiders have to respond after being humbled by the Warriors. And trouble at the Bulldogs with Xerri wanting out. Very interesting week for both clubs.

 

[Valheru]

Raiders looked dreadful both weeks outside of the 2nd half against Manly and it's hard to make anything of the dogs yet.

Raiders to bounce back by 8

 

[Dragon Slayer]

Canberra to bounce back.

Not expecting much from the Poodles this season.

 

[mongoose]

After two games in rain, Raiders will hopefully enjoy a dry track this week. Will also want revenge for last years capitulation at home to the Bulldogs. Us by 4

 

[Vic Mackey]

Like last year when Canberra were steeled for their first home game, came out and belted Brisbane, I expect a similar response. They'll still be smarting from last year second half collapse V the Dogs and will be keen to make amends. Tuala has been terrible on the wing for the Dogs so moving him closer to the ball is something. Having him and Montoya next to each other, Kris and Tamale ATS looks nice. Raiders by 12.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

I believe if we shut down Stephen Crichton, we win. Easier said than done though.

 

[BadnMean]

I believe if we shut down Stephen Crichton, we win. Easier said than done though.

It's going to be Simi vs Crichton this time. Be a big test of his pace and agility.

Looks like another wet weather game too. At least the Raiders will be used to it.

 

[Warrimoo3]

If I was coaching the Raiders a right defensive edge of Galvin/Tuala/Montoya has my undivided attention. But some tinkering
needs to be done to the Raiders attack to cash in.

Yes Sanders is learning his craft and yes Strange has been moved to the right as apparently they played like that through the grades but it’s not working. Strange is one of the most dangerous ball runners in the comp on the left side of the field. As mentioned in the Raiders v Warriors thread last week moving Strange to the left gives the Raiders 5 options in attack when going left. Sanders giving it to 1 HY running against the grain 2 to Stange running against the grain 3 out the back to Kris 4 rolling the ball in goal for any number of chasers and 5 show and go .

Strange on the right has looked like a champion horse used to running clockwise in NSW but now is running off the wrong leg anticlockwise in Victoria. Gus would appreciate the horse racing analogy.

The Raiders left side attack hasn’t fired a shot in 2 matches. It’s been just shovel it to Hudson Young and…well that’s about all really. Strange running into the channels between Galvin and Tuala and Tuala and Montoya should reap dividends. Bring Laurie on 15 minutes before half time and for 15 minutes after half time and he will light things up for the Raiders.

Which brings me to the Bulldogs. The best right centre in the game has been moved to the left. Kiraz has a great right foot step suited for the right wing but has been moved to the left. Montoya was combining well with Kikau as a kick chase combo but Montoya gets moved to the right. . It mightn’t sound much moving from 1 side to the other but some players find it harder to adjust. Ask David Fifita.

If Strange plays on the left side and Daine Laurie gets more than a cameo it’s the Raiders by 12.

If he plays on the right it’s the Bulldogs by 10.

At the end of the day tactics win matches. And sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees.

 

[Someone2]

Raiders by 10

 

[Warrimoo3]

If I was coaching the Raiders a right defensive edge of Galvin/Tuala/Montoya has my undivided attention. But some tinkering
needs to be done to the Raiders attack to cash in.

Yes Sanders is learning his craft and yes Strange has been moved to the right as apparently they played like that through the grades but it’s not working. Strange is one of the most dangerous ball runners in the comp on the left side of the field. As mentioned in the Raiders v Warriors thread last week moving Strange to the left gives the Raiders 5 options in attack when going left. Sanders giving it to 1 HY running against the grain 2 to Stange running against the grain 3 out the back to Kris 4 rolling the ball in goal for any number of chasers and 5 show and go .

Strange on the right has looked like a champion horse used to running clockwise in NSW but now is running off the wrong leg anticlockwise in Victoria. Gus would appreciate the horse racing analogy.

The Raiders left side attack hasn’t fired a shot in 2 matches. It’s been just shovel it to Hudson Young and…well that’s about all really. Strange running into the channels between Galvin and Tuala and Tuala and Montoya should reap dividends. Bring Laurie on 15 minutes before half time and for 15 minutes after half time and he will light things up for the Raiders.

Which brings me to the Bulldogs. The best right centre in the game has been moved to the left. Kiraz has a great right foot step suited for the right wing but has been moved to the left. Montoya was combining well with Kikau as a kick chase combo but Montoya gets moved to the right. . It mightn’t sound much moving from 1 side to the other but some players find it harder to adjust. Ask David Fifita.

If Strange plays on the left side and Daine Laurie gets more than a cameo it’s the Raiders by 12.

If he plays on the right it’s the Bulldogs by 10.

At the end of the day tactics win matches. And sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees.

 

[Warrimoo3]

If I was coaching the Raiders a right defensive edge of Galvin/Tuala/Montoya has my undivided attention. But some tinkering
needs to be done to the Raiders attack to cash in.

Yes Sanders is learning his craft and yes Strange has been moved to the right as apparently they played like that through the grades but it’s not working. Strange is one of the most dangerous ball runners in the comp on the left side of the field. As mentioned in the Raiders v Warriors thread last week moving Strange to the left gives the Raiders 5 options in attack when going left. Sanders giving it to 1 HY running against the grain 2 to Stange running against the grain 3 out the back to Kris 4 rolling the ball in goal for any number of chasers and 5 show and go .

Strange on the right has looked like a champion horse used to running clockwise in NSW but now is running off the wrong leg anticlockwise in Victoria. Gus would appreciate the horse racing analogy.

The Raiders left side attack hasn’t fired a shot in 2 matches. It’s been just shovel it to Hudson Young and…well that’s about all really. Strange running into the channels between Galvin and Tuala and Tuala and Montoya should reap dividends. Bring Laurie on 15 minutes before half time and for 15 minutes after half time and he will light things up for the Raiders.

Which brings me to the Bulldogs. The best right centre in the game has been moved to the left. Kiraz has a great right foot step suited for the right wing but has been moved to the left. Montoya was combining well with Kikau as a kick chase combo but Montoya gets moved to the right. . It mightn’t sound much moving from 1 side to the other but some players find it harder to adjust. Ask David Fifita.

If Strange plays on the left side and Daine Laurie gets more than a cameo it’s the Raiders by 12.

If he plays on the right it’s the Bulldogs by 10.

At the end of the day tactics win matches. And sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees.

I’m sure Noah Martin will feature prominently on the Bulldogs’ tip sheet. What the Raiders should do is use Martin as a decoy in their first couple of right side forays to open up space for Sasagi and Savage. Then use him as a bulldozer in subsequent plays. Just mix it up to keep the defence guessing and continually having to make split second decisions.

 

[This Year?]

ATS Weekes, Young, Crichton, Preston and either winger from each team.
Don't say I didn't warn anyone.

 

[mozza91]

Vonny looking quite dapper in that dinner jacket. Should’ve probably taken the coat hanger out first though.

 

[Fangs]

If your Kayo isn't working:

Navigate to live TV. Should be an option for Thursday night football.

Main screen for me is broken. Circle of death.

 

[This Year?]

I just seen ADA written on Preston's wrist strap.
He must be an RE fan:

 

[Bazal]

OMFG Kayo is apparently down 5 mins before my chaotic bae's run out this is unacceptable

 

[skeepe]

OMFG Kayo is apparently down 5 mins before my chaotic bae's run out this is unacceptable

Left menu, live channels, still works