The Wests Tigers will be looking to pick themselves up after two straight losses when they face the Canberra Raiders tonight. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEDT.
Regarded as premiership fancies before the start of the season, the Tigers have struggled to produce complete performances during the opening three rounds.
After scrapping to a 17-16 golden point victory over Cronulla in round one, the Tigers have seen been out-muscled by the Sea Eagles and Dragons respectively.
Last week’s heavy 36-12 loss to the Dragons will have Tigers coach Tim Sheens concerned about his side’s ability to match strong forward packs.
To make things worse, the Tigers tonight will be without captain Robbie Farah who is serving a two-match suspension for a lifting tackle on Ben Hornby.
The Tigers will certainly have to aim up tonight if they are to avoid being dominated by a Raiders pack containing numerous representative players.
Canberra, on the other hand, is not without problems of its own.
Star fullback Josh Dugan succumbed to a shoulder injury last week that will likely keep him out of action for the next six weeks.
Dugan’s injury is a cruel blow for the Raiders, given that he and Terry Campese were beginning to rediscover the attacking chemistry that served Canberra so well back in 2010.
Prediction
The result of tonight’s match will largely hinge on how well each team is able to adapt without the services of their two star attackers.
Without Farah by his side, Tigers superstar Benji Marshall will have to take full control of the attack, and will be heavily pressured by the Raiders defence.
Raiders captain Campese will also have the spotlight firmly on his shoulders as he attempts to marshal Canberra’s attack without strike partner Dugan.
With both teams missing vital weaponry, do not be surprised if points are at a premium tonight.
Given that Marshall and Campese will be tasked with guiding their team’s to victory, the battle upfront now takes on more significance.
If either side is able to dominate in the forwards, it will go a long way to providing either Campese or Marshall with the room to control proceedings in attack.
While the game is not played on paper, the Raiders certainly possess the better pack, with David Shillington, Brett White, Bronson Harrison and Tom-Learoyd Lars all featuring tonight for Canberra.
If Canberra can keep it simple and not force too many passes, one feels that their pack will get the better of the Tigers as the match progresses.
Although Marshall is certainly capable of igniting the Tigers attack from anywhere on the field, a good performance from the Raiders pack will most likely see the Green Machine cause the upset.
Raiders by 6.
Can the Tigers silence their critics with a win tonight, or do the Raiders have an upset up their sleeve? Join us from 7.00pm AEDT for Monday Night Football with live scores and commentary and if you’re watching, give us a shout in the comment thread below.
The Gunning Eagle
Guest
Ellis missed 1 game, Utai...Really you consider him out being a loss? Tedesco played 5 seconds..how can you judge him being a loss to the side?? For all we know he could of been just as bad as Moltzen in the #1. Tuqiri played about 3 games last year, I think the Tigers are used to him not being in the side...or should be by now. The only players I will give you is their captain Robbie Farah and Keith Galloway..they have certainly been missed. They will make the 8, top 4 I see to be just out of reach...prediction only!
Pete75
Guest
"Can you honestly see them matching up to the Storm, Bulldogs, Dragons, Warriors?" Well, yeah, I can. They've got a fair list of injuries. Galloway, Ellis (back now), Tadesco, Utai, Tuqiri, and Farah (suspended). I'd contend that any team that loses its two best forwards and its hooker is going to struggle. I don't care if you're Melbourne or Parramatta. You've also got to remember that Adam Blair is new to the place and still finding his feet. They may lose again this weekend, but I reckon they'll make the eight easily, barring further injuries, and will more than likely finish top four.
The Gunning Eagle
Guest
BUT...due to poor refereeing decisions, the Tigers took home the bacon no? So it worked itself out did it not? Forward pass here, offside there.. Tigers still get the 2 points. Not even worth a mention. Clearly not writing them off for the season there mate, just can't see the Tigers being a massive threat to the premiership with the way they have played in the first 4 rounds. I did say they will be able to turn it around, but from what we have seen SO FAR.. Can you honestly see them matching up to the Storm, Bulldogs, Dragons, Warriors? If the answer is yes, then that is the height of foolishness.
Pete75
Guest
Hold tight there mate. Everyone keeps banging on about the fact the Sharks were "ripped off". They wouldn't have been close enough to win had they not scored off a blatant forward press from Jeremy Smith for the Isaac de Gois try. But nobody talks about that.... I agree that the Tigers aren't doing well at the moment, but rumours of their death have been greatly exaggerated. They essentially have the same team as last year less Gibbs an Fafita. Is anyone seriously contending that the loss of those two blokes makes a huge difference to the Tigers chances for 2012? I could count on one game the amount of games Fafita played last year... They may not actually win the comp, but writing them off at this stage is the height of foolishness.
The Gunning Eagle
Guest
I just wrote about this on my site. Realistically, the Tigers SHOULD be 0 from 4. They only won the game against the Sharkies due to poor referee decisions. Can the Tigers turn it around? Yes I think they can. Are they threats to the competition? Absolutely not. They will rattle some cages late in the season, make the top eight and then get sent packing. I hope they can prove me wrong, but at this stage, it's not looking like they are hungry or dangerous in the slightest.
Frank
Guest
Hmmmm...Looks like my team - the Tigers - have been reading their own press. I suspect that it may be time to read the newsapapers tomorrow. I look forward to the Eels match - whenever that is...
julzrox63
Roar Rookie
Not much i can say the tigers r playing abt as good as my team the eels althou the tigers started off badly lst yr n made it 2 the finals......thats footy 4 ya
Tommygun
Guest
i agree absolutely 110%. I remember seeing raiders versus penrith a couple of years ago... the halfback was actually trying to throw a cutout pass... hits the decoy on the chest by mistake, ball bounces into the ingoal and then the decoy dives on it. TRY. HOW ON EARTH
Alan
Roar Guru
No worries Dan, thanks for following.
The Artist Formerly known as Football Fan
Guest
What a brilliant win!!! But why in god's name do they wear that white and blue getup... Why?
Cammy from Sydney
Guest
Hope Robinson gets at least 2 weeks for his late and high shot, that'd be pretty funny and well deserved and that the referee gets dropped for the ridiculous penalty count too.
Dan
Guest
Cheers for the updates Alan -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Alan
Roar Guru
The 30-16 scoreline does justice to Canberra's performance tonight. The Raiders completely dominated the second half with Robinson, Croker and McCrone all starring for the green machine. Campese however is my man of the match. He really stood up tonight when his team needed him the most. He scored a try and set up two others in a great performance. He wouldn't look out of place in a NSW Origin jersey that's for sure. The Raiders forwards kept it simple up the middle and this allowed Canberra to dominate the Tigers forwards. The Tigers missed 48 tackles tonight and they have alot of work to do before next week's big match against the Rabbitohs. The Tigers lose their third match in a row and are under increasing pressure to perform. The Raiders will be full of confidence heading into next week's clash against the Cowboys. If they can remain consistent, then they are certainly a top eight team. Thanks for joining us for this live blog and we look forward to your company next time on The Roar. FULLTIME: Tigers 16 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Tigers 16 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Campese kicks it dead and that's all she wrote here. Tigers 16 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Reddy chips and regathers and then kicks ahead only to find Robinson. Raiders now have possession in good territory thanks to a nice run from Robinson. Tigers 16 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Moltzen regathers a great McCrone grubber. Tigers work it out of their own half now. Tigers 16 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Croker held up over the Tigers line. Croker has also been very good tonight for Canberra. Raiders still on the attack. Tigers 16 Raiders 30
Cammy from Sydney
Guest
That penalty sums up the night the referees have had, that's a ridiculous penalty, so we got done for that and they didn't get done for a late shot on Benji. Get some consistency and some training. He was still in motion as he went into touch...
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Ferguson with the intercept and he races away down field before being tackled by Humble. Penalty to Canberra and now the match is all but over now for the Tigers. Tigers 16 Raiders 30