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The Dragons trailed at half time, and again early in the 2nd half, but some fine finishing on the flanks was enough to get the job done.
The win breaks the horrid run of form for the Red V against the Green Machine, but more importantly the two competition points keep them in touch with the top-eight.
FINAL SCORE:
Dragons 34
Raiders 16
The St George Illawarra Dragons are out to break one of the longest hoodoos in contemporary rugby league when they travel to the nation’s captial to take on the Canberra Raiders. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3 pm AEST.
Both the Raiders and Dragons are coming off last-start losses, but that isn’t the biggest talking point heading into today’s match.
The big question is can the Dragons win in Canberra for the first time since 2000?
The Dragons’ abysmal record against the Raiders isn’t constrained to Canberra either. Since 2002 the Dragons have won only once against the Raiders at any Australian venue, with a 58-16 win coming in Wollongong in 2007.
The Raiders are currently sitting in 15th position and are locked in a battle with the Sharks to avoid the wooden spoon. The Dragons, having parted ways with their coach mid-season, are sitting in 11th and are a mathematical chance of making the finals.
For one of the first times this season, Ricky Stuart has been able to name the same 17 two weeks in a row. All eyes will be on fullback Jordan Rapana, who played his first match in the NRL since 2008 when he took on the Eels. He was rewarded with a contract extension, and with the departure of Anthony Milford has a golden chance to cement a position in the team.
The Dragons have made several changes to the side that went down to the Panthers.
Fullback Adam Quinlan has been dropped, with Gerard Beale shifting to fullback. Peter Mata’utia comes into the centres, and Tyson Frizell has been named on an extended bench.
The Dragons won’t finalise their team until just before kick-off.
Prediction
While it is foolish to write of the Raiders’ record at home against the Dragons, all streaks must come to an end.
The Raiders looked good at times against the Eels in Darwin and were within a Jarryd Hayne break of causing a massive boilover, but their opponents have their own point to prove.
The Dragons forwards won’t want to take a backwards step against a pack that is, for the most part, physically larger than them, if they step up the backs will have room to do their thing.
Dragons to win in a close one.
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