It’s Saturday afternoon football in the nation’s capital as the Canberra Raiders take on the Newcastle Knights. Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 3:00pm AEST.
The home team sits 13th on the ladder with a 2-3 record through 5 games. Last weekend saw them lose a game to the Panthers at a soggy Penrith Stadium 12-6. They will be looking to continue their L-W-L-W-L pattern.
The Knights sit 15th with a 1-4 record, their only win coming against a Sharks club currently in the wooden spoon position. They will have a tough gig trying to add a W to the column away from home on Saturday.
The Raiders have made four changes to their losing side in Round 5, the biggest being the inclusion of Josh Papalii. Shannon Boyd and Jarrad Kennedy have recovered from a virus that kept them out against Penrith, while Bill Tupou takes his spot on the wing after recovering from a hamstring strain. Jake Foster, Kyle O’Donnell, Joel Edwards and Sami Sauiluma are the men that make way for the returning players.
The Knights have named an unchanged side for the game, including David Fa’alogo in the number 18 jersey. Jarrod Mullen is a chance to make a late run for selection, so don’t be surprised if he starts at halfback.
The Knights hold a slight edge of 4-2 in the head-to-head in recent years. The last meeting came in Round 2 of this year, where the Raiders pulled out a 26-20 victory, although against a Knights side without Darius Boyd and Jarrod Mullen.
Prediction
The Raiders are the favourites, but if Mullen plays, the Knights may be the better side. Regardless, this will be a close game.
If Mullen plays I’ll take the Knights by 8, but if he can’t get up, give me the Raiders by 6.
sham
Guest
Wighton is a very good player but if Campese is to be in the halves I would put Mcrone as half back and play Wighton at centre. The first raiders try came from a class run from Mcrone. Campese and Wighton are not offering much in attack together. Mitch Cornish would be another option. It was worth trying Wighton at five eight but I don't think that Campese and Wighton work that well together as halves.
Ronald M
Guest
Congratulations to the Knights on getting the two points.
Ronald M
Guest
............but his record for keep landing himself plumb coaching positions is second to none.
Matt
Guest
Does that include Origin? ;)
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Ricky Stuart is now 16-55 (29%) since 2009.
Jono
Guest
Pathetic game by the Raiders. Feel sorry for those fans who paid to watch it live. It seems the Raiders are saving their worst performances for when they are at home. That's 6 losses at home in a row. It's a long way to good, but at this point they are looking like the wooden spoon contenders. I'm not sure how long this fool's errand of Wighton at half can continue. In the victories it hasb't been due to great play by him, which is the worrying part. He has all the right skill set to be a decent fullback, good under the high ball, bit of pace, strong runner, solid defender, and with Milford going I think the Raiders should consider looking at that option for him. It was crazy for the Raiders to let a junior like Williams go (especially after the two seasons he filled in for Campese) and while Williams defence was questionable he probably would have been a better fit with Campese. Oh, and Tupou is in for a bullocking at training this week. 2 games and 2 bombed easy tries from him. Ricky is not going to be a happy chappy.
Sam
Guest
Knights get Broncos
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME A very brave victory for the Knights, as they were dropping like flies in the second half. Knights fans will be keeping a close eye on Uate and Snowden for the coming week. Raiders will face the Storm next weekend, while the Knights get the Storm. A fairly dull game of football here in Canberra this afternoon, with a much-needed 2 premiership points going the way of the Knights. Make sure to join me tomorrow afternoon for Sunday Afternoon AFL.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
79' Mullen's kick goes dead in-goal, so the Raiders will get the last set of the game. Terry Campese has chosen to go for the line with a drop kick, but Aku Uate gets back and keeps the ball in play. That'll do it from Canberra this afternoon, as Tyrone Roberts just kicks the ball out-of-bounds. Raiders 12 Knights 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
78' Jarrad Kennedy goes close to scoring, but his flick pass is intercepted by Dane Gagai. Just about sums up Canberra's afternoon. Raiders 12 Knights 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
77' Raiders with a nice set to get themselves into Knights territory. Now it's Paul Vaughan trying the little chip and chase, but the Knights deal with it easily. James McManus now knocks on, so the Raiders will get a chance at a consolation try here. Raiders 12 Knights 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Kade Snowden is on the bench and looking ok. Very good news for the Knights
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
76' Knights just look happy to play the game out and book in the win. Roberts just kicks for touch now. Raiders 12 Knights 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
74' Matt Allwood finds some space down the right hand side before flicking back inside to Reece Robinson. Now they try the left side, but the play is called back for a forward pass. That could be the last shot for the Raiders Raiders 12 Knights 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
74' Raiders pull off the short kick off from the restart, so maybe there is still life in this game Raiders 12 Knights 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
PENALTY SUCCESSFUL Tyrone Roberts makes no mistake Raiders 12 Knights 26
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
71' Dropped ball from the Raiders gives Tyrone Roberts a chance down the left hand flank, but he's bottled up well. Now a penalty to the Knights will give them a free 2 points to put this one away for the Knights. Raiders 12 Knights 24
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
70' Jarrod Mullen with a long kick from his own side of half way that sits up in-goal. This game's being played between the 20's at the moment Raiders 12 Knights 24
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
69' Campese with a flat ball, but it catches the man by surprise. Could have been a dangerous one there. Now Wighton puts a kick downfield that Darius Boyd is forced to play at, and he only just makes it back into the field of play Raiders 12 Knights 24
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
68' A good set for the Knights, but Mullen is just happy kicking this one into touch. Raiders need to get a move on here. Raiders 12 Knights 24