A Saturday afternoon clash in Canberra sees the Raiders take on the struggling St George Illawarra Dragons. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:30pm (AEDT).
The Raiders have started their season nicely, winning their first clash against the Sharks before dropping a close matchup to the Warriors. With the Dragons on board for Round 3, they’ll like their chances of improving to 2-1.
And considering their next 3 games (Roosters away, Sea Eagles in Albury, Storm at home), a 2-1 start could be very important.
The Dragons are struggling this season. There’s no other way to put it.
After two disastrous performances against the Storm and the Tigers, the Dragons find themselves facing the wooden spoon very early this season. With only 8 total points to their name through 2 matches, the offence needs to improve quickly if the Dragons stand any chance of challenging for finals.
The Raiders have been forced into a reshuffling of their side, with Jack Wighton ruled out with a facial injury. Jordan Rapana will come into the side to play fullback, while Jarrad Kennedy moves into the centres, and Josh Papalii moves back into the second row.
Interestingly, the Dragons have made no changes to their side, showing that they feel they have the troops to turn it around in Season 2015. The only (minor) change is a positional swap for Rory O’Brien and George Rose.
The key to this clash will be the halves battle. The young pairing in Canberra have been fairly good to start the season, and they’ve been getting suitable support from the forward pack.
The exact opposite has occurred in St George, with both Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall trying hard this season, but not getting anywhere near enough support from the rest of their troops.
Prediction
This feels like a game that the Dragons could use to turn their season around, but their offence is just looking too bad at the moment. The Raiders should have enough to get over the line at home.
Raiders by 4
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Still shaking my head after last night's capitulation. And to of all teams the hapless Dragons. Dugan's mob. I think I'm going to need psychiatric help supporting the Raiders. I hope Ricky read the riot act to them after the game. McCrone simply has to go - banished to the Mounties forever. Surely Baptiste can offer more as a utility/back up hooker. And while we are on the topic why isn't Hodgson given more game time? The bloke is on fire and then gets taken off. How stupid is that. The Raiders need some grunt and enthusiasm off the bench. I'd like to see Page or Tevita Pengai Junior given a go. Having one or both of those two coming on along with FPN and/or Paul Vaughan would provide a lot of go forward. Looking elsewhere Edrick Lee should either be dropped or switched to the wing. Whatever happened to those soaring catches and goals from previous seasons? He seems unenthusiastic and clueless at centre. On the positive side Ricky's recruits have all been firing - in particular Soliola, Hodgson and Austin. Its up to the rest of them to aim up and give them some support.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
The attempted tackle by Rapana on Rein was the worst ever seen by an NRL player.Im not a Raiders or Stuart fan but if Rapana makes the tackle probably a win for the Raiders and the Draggies would be copping all the grief.
sack ricky stuart campaign
Guest
This loss is just suicidal I can't see us beating roosters or manly We could well be 1-4 after 5 games Really shouldve been 2-1 after tonight but again its poor coaching by ricky stuart that cost us again
Mark
Guest
Lolol
sham
Guest
raiders defensive pattern in the second half seemed to be to stand back and wait for the attack and have the players on the wing stand back even further. No wonder the dragons just marched up the field.
under the raider
Guest
No one cares
under the raider
Guest
The barry the dragons are still crap The raiders lost that Game themselves by playing mediocre football after leading by 18 If the dragons were down by 18 against roosters they would have lost by 50 They were lucky to win today against the mediocre side the raiders
Cugel
Roar Rookie
We haven't a clue how to score a try, it was only woeful Dragon defence that allowed a result. Otherwise, a repeat of last week.
under the raider
Guest
It's just poor coaching by ricky stuart Whatever he said to the players at half time it's just not working
Ian
Guest
I thought this very much at the time. Refs were blatantly working to get St George back in the game after they were down 0-18. Giving penalties and then ignoring giving penalties to the Raiders. It happens regularly but it was very obvious tonight. In the end St George were good enough to take advantage of the leg up they were given. The Raiders were very poor in the 2nd half. Neither Maxwell or the other referee should see NRL this season. Nor should several Raiders players.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Terribly disappointing effort by the Raiders. Put the cue in the rack after being up 18 nil. It all went downhill after McCrone replaced Hodgson which killed all the momentum. Bring back Baptiste from the Mounties Ricky please!! Other lessons - Edrick Lee is not a centre - that was obvious last week against the Warriors. He is a winger or nothing. His attitude in defence just looked terrible. To lose to a dud outfit like the Dragons is demoralising. Particularly after encouraging signs against the Sharks and the Warriors. Fensom was horrible as well - to give away 3 penalties in the second half is just dumb. Ricky Stuart has a huge challenge to turn it around in the next few weeks against better quality opposition.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You've been quiet for a while Walter! Welcome back - congrats on a good win. The hoodoo is dead...
under the raider
Guest
Typical ricky stuart there's the proof he can't coach and should get sacked ASAP All the raiders fans at the game should get a refund policy it's just ridiculous how they lost this game after leading by 18
Paco
Guest
Did Rein finish with man of the match? He has silenced my calls to hook him. For now.
Jono
Guest
The no try for Austin's second in the first half "cost" the Raiders in the end...though to be accurate what cost them was that they completely lost shape when Waqa went off and Rapana cramped up when Dugan was sent off. The Raiders defence really started to retreat and there looked to be a lack of confidence in the ad hock line that resulted. The Dragons got easy metres and with that momentum the pressure on the Raider's defence increased and it folded critically twice in the last 10 minutes. Also noticed the so far this year when Cornish kicks for touch on penalties he goes very shallow. I swear a couple didn't even go 10 metres tonight, which makes them no better than a tap and go. Compare them to the Dragons and the Dragons were making easily 10+ extra metres with their kicks. He's coming along nicely, but it would be nice for him to just try and maximise the gains for his team. Pretty disappointed in the result in the end. The Raiders should have won and their failure again to score in the second half is worrying. However, rather see this at the start of the year than the end as at least the team has time to hopefully improve and get better.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Last 20 minutes was great league. Cant believe result, Drags look gone when Dugan was binned.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Never in doubt!!!
Jason Hosken
Guest
Drags have ditched the telegraphed game plan under the pump and look untouchable. Wow.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Great finish. Inexperienced Nabuli, had to cut back inside the runner.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Anyone's game, gotta hold the ball. Jared Maxwell doesn't exude a lot of confidence.