Raiders v Bulldogs: Wighton out, Croker back; Preston banned

Just two points sit between the Raiders and dropping out of the top eight ahead of Round 25 as Ricky Stuart's side must find a way to regroup and pile on a big score against the Bulldogs.

The Raiders were in the fight for a prized top-four spot before a 48-2 drumming to the Storm left them languishing in sixth on the ladder and in danger of dropping out of the eight.

With games against the Broncos and Sharks to come following Sunday's clash with the Bulldogs, Canberra need to give their for and against a big boost this weekend to ensure their -120 points differential doesn't haunt them out of the finals.

Meanwhile, despite coming off a bye the Bulldogs looked out of form and down on confidence against the Knights on Sunday and will have to dig deep if they are to stave off a side fighting to save their season in front of a vocal home crowd.

With a game against the Sea Eagles at home and Titans on the road to follow, Cameron Ciraldo's side will look to restore some pride in their last three rounds of footy and take some positives into next season.

The Green Machine were 34-30 winners when the two sides last met in Magic Round, and the Bulldogs have lost their last five meetings with the Raiders dating back to 2019.

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Team News

Raiders: Matt Frawley is the five-eighth after Jack Wighton dropped out 24 hours before kick-off due to a minor hamstring strain. That is the only change to the 17, although a late switch sees Emre Guler start and Josh Papali'i drop back to the bench. Favourite son Jarrod Croker returns from a hamstring injury in the centres. James Schiller will play his third game of the season, joining the bench along with Tom Starling.

Bulldogs: Luke Thompson is a late inclusion in the run-on side at prop, swapping places with Max King who reverts to the bench. There are no other late changes, with Raymond Faitala-Mariner starting at lock and Corey Waddell coming in for the suspended Jacob Preston. Jayden Okunbor is the 18th man. The Bulldogs are chasing their first win at GIO Stadium since Round 11, 2015 when a Josh Reynolds double inspired a 41-34 win.