Game Summary
The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round Three clash between the Canberra Raiders and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs produced a thrilling finish at Raiders Belconnen, with the Bulldogs holding on for a heart-stopping 28-26 victory to claim their first win of season 2026.
The Raiders drew first blood after sustained early pressure, with Jed Stuart finishing in the corner off a deft long ball from five-eighth Daine Laurie. The conversion was missed, but the home side held a 4-0 lead through the opening exchanges, looking sharp and purposeful in attack.
From that point, however, it was all Bulldogs. Bronson Xerri scored on his very first touch of the ball after Sean O'Sullivan applied pressure through the line and played a well-timed short ball. The veteran five-eighth then added the conversion to give Canterbury-Bankstown a 6-4 lead.
The Bulldogs continued to roll as back-rower Lipoi Hopoi crossed from close range, capitalising on an injury-disrupted Raiders defensive line. Logan Spinks then added a third try to the tally, with O'Sullivan finding him through a gap in the Raiders' defensive structure with a composed pass. Fullback Taye Cochrane completed the first-half blitz to push the margin to 24-4 at the break, with O'Sullivan landing all four conversions.
The second half appeared to be heading toward a comfortable Bulldogs victory when Cooper Toy dived on a loose ball to score just seven minutes after the restart. But the Raiders refused to capitulate. Owen Pattie sparked a stunning comeback, a penalty forced a set restart before he darted through from dummy half. Chevy Stewart added the conversion to make it 28-10.
Momentum shifted dramatically as Jed Stuart scored his second, again courtesy of a Laurie cut-out pass, before Matt Timoko joined the party after a grubber kick from Stewart, bringing the margin back to six with minutes remaining.
Stewart's late conversion attempt from the sideline to level the scores was pushed wide, and Jed Stuart's hat-trick try in the final minute off the back of a remarkable piece of play from Timoko kept the Raiders alive. However, Stewart's conversion from the sideline once again fell short. The Bulldogs were able to see out the final play for a two-point win.
Despite the loss, the Raiders showed tremendous heart to fight back from 20 points down, with coach Ricky Stuart's men going agonisingly close to completing one of the great comebacks in NSW Cup history.
Talking Points
- Sean O'Sullivan was the dominant playmaker on the field in the first half. The experienced Bulldogs five-eighth had his fingerprints on every try scored before the break, finishing with four goal kicks from four attempts and setting up multiple line-breaks with his decisive running game.
- Daine Laurie was equally influential for the Raiders, orchestrating two tries for Jed Stuart with well-timed cut-out passes and consistently lifting his side's attack when it was needed most. His second-half performance in particular was outstanding.
- The Raiders' discipline in the first half was a major factor in the lopsided score. Repeated penalties and handling errors gifted the Bulldogs field position and allowed them to build a seemingly insurmountable 24-4 advantage by half-time.
- Owen Pattie's 40-20 kick proved to be a pivotal moment in the second half, sparking the Raiders' comeback and underlining his quality as one of the competition's more dynamic dummy halves.
Key Moment
With the Raiders trailing 28-22 and under two minutes remaining, Matt Timoko drifted across the field from dummy half, drew the defence, and produced a brilliant flip pass to release Jed Stuart for a try in the corner. The play showcased the Raiders' skill and determination at the death, but Chevy Stewart's subsequent conversion from the sideline fell wide, proving the difference between victory and defeat.
What's Next?
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will be upbeat about their first win of 2026 and will look to build on their dominant first-half display when they take on the Newcastle Knights in Round Four. For the Canberra Raiders, the focus turns to addressing their defensive fragility and handling errors as they chase their first win of the season next week against the Newtown Jets.
