NRL 2026, Canberra Raiders, Canterbury Bulldogs, live blog, round 3, match highlights, injuries, late mail, coaches media conferences

The Raiders and Bulldogs turned on one of the best games of 2025 at this ground last May and not even the torrential rain in Canberra was able to stop them repeating the effort.

In a low scoring game, both teams scored two tries but the boot of Stephen Crichton again got Canterbury home as they won another thriller following their Golden Point defeat of the Dragons in Vegas.

The Dogs had to wait 18 days for their second match due to a Round 2 bye but didn’t miss a beat and completed a remarkable 91 per cent of possession (40 of 45 sets), despite the conditions.

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Last time they met: Raiders v Bulldogs

Relive all the action from Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com’s live blog.

Raiders v Bulldogs at GIO Stadium

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Raiders v Bulldogs – Round 3, 2026

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

NRL Press Conference: Raiders v Bulldogs – Round 3, 2026

Fulltime wrap: The Bulldogs have hung on to defeat Canberra 14-10 in terrible conditions and continue their unbeaten start to the season. In a gripping battle between two of the NRL’s top teams from last season, two first half penalty goals by Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton proved the difference. However, it was the Bulldogs defence – particularly by fullback Connor Tracey, who saved two tries – that won the game for the visitors. Raiders secondrower Hudson Young was also outstanding but the 2025 minor premiers fell short.

Stat Attack

The Raiders have won five of their past seven games against the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium.
Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored six tries in his past six games.
Ricky Stuart achieved the milestone of 300 games as Raiders coach.

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

The match-saver: Connor Tracey

80 min: A trysaving tackle by Tracey on Sanders has saved the game for the Bulldogs. 

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Tracey saves the game for the Bulldogs!

77 min: Tapine is back after passing his HIA

74 min: The Raiders have back with a great try after Young linked with Ethan Strange before sending Seb Kris into space, backing up to receive the ball and passing outside to Tamale to score. Sanders conversion attempt hit the upright. Bulldogs 14 Raiders 10.

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Savelio Tamale 2nd Try

71 min: The Bulldogs may have wrapped up the win after Jacob Preston capitalised on a break from a set move to score. Hooker Bailey Hayward started the movement when he raced out of dummy half and turned the ball inside to Tracey, who passed back outside to Galvin. A try saving tackle by Young stopped Galvin short but Preston charged over on the next tackle to score. Crichton converted. Bulldogs 14 Raiders 6 

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Jacob Preston Try

66 min: The Bulldogs have burned their captain’s challenge.

64 min: Raiders captain Joseph Tapine has been forced from the field for a HIA.

60 min: Young has produced a big play after monstering Lachlan Galvin in defence to force a knock on and put the Raiders on the attack. 

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Hudson forces a mistake from Galvin

56 min: Tracey has come up with a try saving tackle on Raiders forward Hudson Young, who is having a great game. Young appeared set to score but Tracey came sliding and dislodged the ball before the Kangaroos secondrower could ground it.

Technical issues: Apologies, we have been having technical difficulties tonight but they now appear to have been resolved. Thanks for your patience.

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

From the field: Connor Tracey

Halftime Summary: The rain is pelting down in Canberra but the footy has been high quality as the Bulldogs dominated possession and the Raiders’ defence proved up to the task. Canterbury lead 8-6 after two penalty goals by captain Stephen Crichton, who also laid on his side’s only try. The Raiders have done a lot of defending and were down to 12 men for 10 minutes while Josh Papalii was in the sinbin so it remains to be seen whether the workload take a toll in the second half.

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

A Burton special diffused by Savage

20 min: Crichton kicks a second penalty goal to put the Bulldogs ahead. Bulldogs 8 Raiders 6

17 min: Josh Papalii has been sinbined for a high shot on Sam Hughes from the re-start.

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Papalii sent to the sin bin

15 min: Crichton kicks a penalty goal to level the scores after repeated infringements by the Raiders. Bulldogs 6 Raiders 6

14 min: Matt Burton has kicked a 40/20 to put the Bulldogs on the attack again.

11 min: The Bulldogs hit back through Connor Tracey after captain Stephen Crichton pushed through the tackle of Sanders and manages a flick pass away for his fullback to score. Raiders 6 Bulldogs 4 

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Connor Tracey Try

4 min: The Raiders strike first when winger SavelioTamale finishing a backline movement. Ethan Sanders converts. Raiders 6-0.

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Savelio Tamale Try

Kick-off: Josh Papali’i has taken the first hit up after the Bulldogs kicked off.

Weather: The conditions are set to be wet and humid after a storm hit Canberra before kick-off, but it is clearing.

Late Mail

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Stuart: Confidence and belief key for young halves

Raiders: Veteran prop Josh Papalii is on track to take his place in the starting side after progressing through the concussion protocols. The Samoan international missed last week’s loss to the Warriors. Morgan Smithies is set to come off the interchange as a result. The match is Ricky Stuart’s 300th game as Raiders coach as his side looks to defend an impressive home record against the Bulldogs. 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 dropped out when the squad was finalised before kick-off.

599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>

Up Next

/

Replay





Play Next

Crichton: The boys know it is always team first

Bulldogs: Enari Tuala is set for his first game of the year and comes into the centres in place of Bronson Xerri. The Bulldogs are otherwise settled as they prepare to play their first game since a golden point win over the Dragons in Las Vegas. Canterbury have struggled in Canberra in recent years but skipper Stephen Crichton has scored 10 tries in eight games against the Raiders. No late changes for the Bulldogs.