Andrew Pelechaty previews the Sunday afternoon clash between Canberra and St George Illawarra.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canberra Raiders Vs St. George Illawarra Dragons
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Date: Sunday April 16, 2:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Harley Smith-Shields 19. Trey Mooney 20. Peter Hola 21. James Schiller 22. Brad Schneider
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Moses Mbye 15. Jack de Belin 16. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 18. Michael Molo 19. Max Feagai 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Viliami Fifita
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Once again, a week is a long time in footy.
At the end of Round 5, the Raiders had been embarrassed by Penrith (conceding 40 points in the second half alone) and the Dragons had comfortably beaten The Dolphins.
A week later, Canberra beat the previously unbeaten Brisbane at Lang Park and the Dragons had a tight Easter Sunday loss to the Gold Coast Titans.
So, where does that leave these two entering Round 7? The 2-4 Raiders would be feeling much happier, but still knowing they have a lot of work to do. And they’d be kicking themselves that they blew a winning position against The Dolphins in Round 2. The Dragons (2-3 with a bye) have been inconsistent, with heavy losses to Brisbane and Cronulla-Sutherland. And, in a quirk of the draw, they’ve already played the Titans twice, for a win and a loss.
This is only Canberra’s third game at Bruce this season, with a tight win over the Sharks (nearly blowing a 24-10 lead) before the Penrith loss.
Canberra’s mindset is important here, as they’ve failed to back up big wins recently. This could play into the Dragons’ hands: if the Raiders take them too lightly or go in too complacent, the Dragons have enough talent to beat them. After knocking on when the Dragons were pushing for a late game winner against the Titans, Ben Hunt will be desperate to rebound with a win. And Hunt has enjoyed some fine days against the Raiders.
Last year’s clash in Canberra saw the Raiders lead 24-12 in the second half, but Talatau Amone’s third try, and another to Tautau Moga, got the Dragons within two with five minutes left. Only a missed Zac Lomax conversion saved the Raiders from entering Golden Point (winning 24-22). And Raiders fans will fondly remember their almost supernatural hold on the Dragons from 2003-13, when they won 15 out of 16.
There’s some big ins for Canberra, with Jack Wighton returning from suspension (with Brad Schneider back to NSW Cup), Nick Cotric replacing Jordan Rapana, and Joseph Tapine returning from the birth of his first child. And Xavier Savage is closer to returning, named in NSW Cup this weekend. He’ll likely return to first grade after Canberra’s Round 8 bye. For the Dragons, Zane Musgrove comes in at prop for the suspended Francis Molo (out for three games). Moga starts on the wing ahead of Mikaele Ravalawa
Even if the Raiders come in with the right attitude, expect a tough contest with the Dragons pushing Canberra all day. But the Raiders should have just enough here.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Raiders 6, Dragons 4.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Raiders by two points.
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