The Bulldogs defeated Canberra 14-10 in terrible conditions, continuing their unbeaten start to the season, but the result was overshadowed by an injury to Raiders secondrower Hudson Young.
Young was outstanding in the match, yet the 2025 minor premiers fell short. The forward stayed down with an ankle issue after receiving an awkward tackle during the game at GIO Stadium.
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, with Bulldogs defence particularly from fullback Connor Tracey, who saved two tries, winning the game for the visitors.
In the opening minutes, Ethan Sanders took on the line on the last tackle before unloading to Young who somehow got an offload away before quick hands saw Savelio Tamale charge over in the corner to give the Raiders an early 6-0 lead. Hudson Young claimed the first scoring action of the second half when he reached out to score, but the bunker ruled Connor Tracey made a terrific try-saving tackle to deny the Australian backrower.
The Raiders struggled with discipline in the first half. Josh Papalii was sin-binned for a direct shoulder to the head of prop Sam Hughes, leaving Canberra down to 12 men for a period. The loss may have come at a cost for the Raiders with hooker Tom Starling failing to return in the first half with injury.
Canterbury's attack improved in the second half. A try saving tackle by Young stopped Galvin short but Preston charged over on the next tackle to score, extending the Bulldogs' lead. The Raiders came 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, but it proved too little too late.