There will be one less game during Magic Round, with the Canberra Raiders and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs deciding to jointly cancel their Saturday afternoon fixture.
“I had to chat to Ricky last night and – as we’re both playing like busted guts – we decided to do the humane thing and call our game off,” said Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett.
“Trent and I think it’s for the best. I spoke to Peter V’Landys and he’s agreed to officially call the game a draw and give us one competition point each,” added Raiders coach Ricky Stuart. “The boys are hurting, we usually play like shit at Lang Park, so I’ve told them to enjoy the weekend off and get ready for a huge home game against the Storm next Saturday night (May 22).”
“Our boys are also hurting,” said Barrett, “but as we’ve got the Titans on the Gold Coast in round 10, we’re going to go up north this weekend for an extended training camp. A bit of sunshine and old fashioned bonding time might lift the boys’ spirits.”
Instead of the Bulldogs v Raiders game, there will be a ‘Music for Magic Round’ concert held at Lang Park from 3pm to 4:30pm Saturday, featuring local bands from various genres, which is headlined by rugby league satirist Denis Carnahan. The footy will resume with the Cronulla-Sutherland v South Sydney game from 5:30pm.
The Man of Feathers Peter V’landys was happy to accept the double forfeit. “This could have been one of the worst games of footy in over a century, so I’m glad we’ll be spared the pain. I’m sure the Raiders and Bulldogs fans will appreciate a stress-free weekend.”
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