Canterbury's coach Cameron Ciraldo has heaped praise on fullback Connor Tracey after he produced the match-saving tackle and scored a crucial try to help Canterbury's week in the headlines finish on a high.
The Bulldogs' bye week was dominated by reports that centre Bronson Xerri was unhappy and could soon seek a release after being dropped for Thursday night's clash at GIO Stadium.
But Canterbury dismissed their off-field woes, beating Canberra 14-10 to claim their second consecutive win to start the season, something last achieved in 2012.
With rain lashing down in the capital, the Dogs weathered the Raiders' fast start before the contest transformed into a grind as Canberra struggled to break through Canterbury's typically rigid defence.
But after Jacob Preston scored in the 71st minute, Raiders winger Savelio Tamale set up a thrilling finish by crossing moments later.
Canberra had one more roll of the dice, and halfback Ethan Sanders came within a whisker of the line but was denied by Tracey's courageous tackle.
"I thought the try saves were the only reason we won the game," Ciraldo said.
"Tracey's been working really hard at that and came up with a couple.
"We handled the off-the-field dramas great. We've got great leaders like Stephen Crichton, and they've been really good."
Ciraldo added Xerri's replacement, Enari Tuala, was a "GPS" after also helping save a try for the Bulldogs.
The Raiders couldn't cap off Ricky Stuart's 300th match as coach with a win, although Tamale was a shining light, scoring twice, running for 238 metres, and making seven tackle busts.
Canberra's hopes of retaining the minor premiership are already in doubt after a disappointing 40-6 loss to the Warriors in Auckland last Friday.
"I don't want them to cloud their judgement of their football team by a scenario where Sanders could have scored that try," Stuart said.
"I'll look at the areas that we can probably pick ourselves up in and be better. But if they can keep giving me that effort every week, I'll be happy."
It took under four minutes for the Raiders to draw first blood when some crafty passes found Tamale open on the left edge, and he stormed over.
Canterbury hit back, dragging Tamale out of play before they moved swiftly downfield, and Tracey crossed.
Things could have got worse for Canberra when Josh Papali'i was sent to the bin for a high tackle, but the Dogs only grabbed two points in the period.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Tracey tore through Canberra's middle, and moments later the ball found a barnstorming Preston who wrestled over the line.
The hosts responded immediately when Young received an offload from Sebastian Kris before finding Tamale, but Canterbury stood strong to complete the victory.
