NRL Round 5 Preview - Raiders v Bulldogs @ GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders v Canterbury Bulldogs @ GIO Stadium
 
Preview - A desperate Raiders’ team will be looking to avoid an 0-5 start to the season when they host the Bulldogs at GIO Stadium on Thursday night football. The Raiders’ players’ ears will still be stinging after Ricky Stuart tore shreds off his team after a meek 32-16 loss to the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval last Saturday night. The Bulldogs have their own problems, with just one win from the opening four rounds, after a last minute 20-16 defeat to the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium in the Good Friday clash. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - Ricky Stuart has swung the axe with big name back rower Josh Papalii dropped with Elliott Whitehead to play on the fringe and Liam Knight returning to the 17. Jack Wighton has been named despite being embroiled in an alleged scandal.
 
Canterbury Bulldogs’ Scouting Report -The Bulldogs have lost prop Aiden Tolman to a long term ankle injury. He is replaced at lock by Adam Elliott, with Kerrod Holland joining the bench. Moses Mbye is expected to be back, however will have to pass concussion protocols after his heavy knock against the Rabbitohs saw him leave the field early in the game.
 
Verdict - Bulldogs by 1-6 in a high scoring game

This is an extremely tough game to pick as I really don’t have much faith in either of these sides currently. Ricky Stuart’s press conference was a line in the sand moment, and I'm worried for Raiders fans there is a chance he might be losing some of his players. The Bulldogs have competed hard the past two weeks; however, they don’t convince me as a side that has much firepower of attacking fluency. Mentally they look a tougher side than Canberra at the minute so I think if they keep this close they might be able to break the Raiders hearts once again in the last 20 minutes.