LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a nail-biting clash at Magic Round, the Bulldogs were narrowly defeated by the Raiders in a 24-20 showdown.
The Raiders got off to an early lead, but the Bulldogs showed their fighting spirit and refused to back down.
Around the half-hour mark, the Bulldogs rallied and put the Raiders under immense pressure, showcasing their determination and resilience.
A well-executed attacking play led to Jacob Preston scoring the Bulldogs' first points after a mix-up in the Raiders' defense.
The Bulldogs continued to push forward, with the speedy Foxx causing havoc for the Raiders.
However, veteran Rapana's professional foul on him resulted in a sin binning, giving the Bulldogs an advantage.
Shortly after, Papali'i also found himself sidelined for a dangerous tackle on Kikau, who was injured but later cleared to return in the second half.
Taking full advantage of the numerical advantage, the Bulldogs added more points through Crichton and Burton, taking a 16-12 lead into halftime.
Despite their valiant efforts, the Bulldogs were unable to hold on, and the Raiders ultimately emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle on the field.