The Canberra Raiders have put their top 8 spot in more secure footing following their 36-24 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
The first half of the contest was a topsy-turrvy affair with both the sides going tit-for-tat with the tries. The Raiders opened the scoring after thirteen minutes when Jordan Rapana drew in the Bulldogs defence before finding Matt Timoko to score.
The Bulldogs were able to get onto the board on the half hour mark when Blake Wilson was able to score in the corner after the Bulldogs got into attacking position following a Josh Addo-Carr run after regathering a short dropout.
Hitting back just over a minute later, Jarrod Croker was in the right spot as a high kick landed perfectly on his chest without the need to jump as he scored next to the posts. The Bulldogs then hit back a few minutes later when Jacob Kiraz scored as Canterbury's attacking raid came off a charge down from Viliame Kikau.
The second half started the same way that the first half did as the Bulldogs turned the ball over on halfway and the Raiders went into attack mode it was as again Jordan Rapana attacked the line and drew in the defence before finding Matt Timoko just like their first try.
Toby Sexton then hit back for the Bulldogs with a big show and go that fooled the Raiders defence and Sexton went through to score. Matt Burton levelled the scores with his conversion.
The Bulldogs lost their radar and began to gave the ball away cheaply and Nick Cotric took advantage as he went through. The Raiders then added two more tries to extend their lead out to 18 points as Jordan Rapana and Josh Papali'I went over.
A consolation try to Liam Knight at the end closed the gap for the Bulldogs inside the last 2 minutes to close the gap to 36-24.
The win for the Raiders gives them more secure footing for their top 8 spot with two tough games against the Broncos and Sharks coming up. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have their final home game of 2023 next week when they host the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles before heading to the Gold Coast.