The Canberra Raiders are set to face the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Round 4 of the NRL season, with centre Sebastian Kris reportedly in talks over a contract extension. The 24-year-old, who has been a key figure in the Raiders' backline, is off contract at the end of the 2024 season and has attracted interest from several rival clubs.
Kris's Future at the Raiders
According to sources close to the negotiations, the Raiders are keen to retain Kris, who has been with the club since his junior days. He has played 56 NRL games since debuting in 2020 and has become a regular starter under coach Ricky Stuart. The club is believed to have tabled an offer worth around $500,000 per season, but Kris is weighing up his options as other clubs, including the Bulldogs, have expressed interest.
Raiders CEO Don Furner confirmed the club is in discussions with Kris's management. "We are working through the process with Sebastian and his representatives. He is a talented player we want to keep, but we understand there is a market for him," Furner said.
Team News for Round 4
Both teams have named their squads for the match at GIO Stadium on Saturday. The Raiders have made one change, with winger James Schiller replacing the injured Nick Cotric (hamstring). The Bulldogs welcome back forward Max King from suspension, while Kyle Flanagan drops to the bench.
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. James Schiller, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Matthew Timoko, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Zac Woolford, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Corey Harawira-Naera. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Ata Mariota.
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Paul Alamoti, 4. Jake Averillo, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Max King, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Luke Thompson, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Josh Jackson (c). Interchange: 14. Jack Hetherington, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Tevita Pangai Junior, 17. Corey Waddell.
Match Preview and Impact
The Raiders are looking to bounce back after a narrow loss to the Gold Coast Titans last week, while the Bulldogs are seeking their first win of the season after three consecutive defeats. The match is expected to be a physical contest, with both teams boasting strong forward packs.
Kris's contract situation adds an extra layer of intrigue. If he remains a Raider, it will solidify their backline for years to come. However, if he decides to leave, the Raiders will need to find a replacement in a competitive market. The outcome of the negotiations could also impact the team's salary cap planning for future seasons.
