The Canberra Raiders continue to push their case for a final eight spot with an eight-point win over the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.
REPORT: RAIDERS HOLD OFF TITANS
Final score
Gold Coast Titans 22
Canberra Raiders 30
Finals contenders the Gold Coast Titans and Canberra Raiders do battle in what should be a tightly contested affair at Cbus Super Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm AEST.
Both the Titans and Raiders have won three of their past four matches and head into this contest well in the running for a finals birth.
The Titans have defied expectations this season and are beginning to build the belief and unity required to perhaps make a statement come finals time.
Canberra meanwhile are a team with plenty of potential, and under Ricky Stuart, they are beginning to fulfil promise despite a tight loss to the Broncos over a fortnight ago.
As for team news, Greg Bird is expected to back up for the Titans who have been unable to find a place for Konrad Hurrell in the 17 as Nathan Davis retains his spot at right centre.
Like Bird, Queensland forward Josh Papalii came through Origin II with no ill effects and is expected to play with a Raiders team also bolstered by the returns of both Jack Wighton and Shannon Boyd from suspension.
In terms of head-to-head match-ups, the battle between former Titan Aidan Sezer and rising Titans star Ashley Taylor will be pivotal to deciding which team emerges on top today. The clash between Peats and Josh Hodgson will also be one of the highlights of the game and the key to earning ruck dominance for either team.
With both teams fairly evenly matched, there will be very little that separates either side on the scoreboard come fulltime. The Raiders though are the team with something to prove after letting a 20-6 lead against the Gold Coast slip earlier in the season en route to a 24-20 defeat at home.
While victory for either team wouldn’t come as a surprise, the Titans under Neil Henry appear to be growing stronger with each passing win and should produce enough quality to secure a very tight win.
Titans by 4
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Very physical match. Raiders should have won by more but what do you expect when you have both hookers off the field with head injuries. Plus if Wighton and Bateman had scored at around the 70 minute mark they would have been up 42-10. Not too fussed. Just hope Baptiste, Hodgson and Wighton can play next week. I've bagged Jack Wighton a few times this season but I thought he was pretty good today. Couple of nice passes that set up tries plus should have scored himself at the back of great lead up work. Copped a pretty nasty head but to the chest from Douglas late in the game - must have learnt that from Nate Myles.
Jono
Guest
Once Hodgson went off and with no hooker to replace him the Raiders pretty much fell apart. No composure and to leak a try and score no points with a man up is unforgivable. Similar to the game against Manly, though this time they can at least claim injuries to blame. Good to win, but still haven't seen an 80 min performance by the team. Injury fallout will be interesting. Sia and WIghton played out the game but won't be surprised if they don't back up next week. Not sure what the NRL concussion rule is, but Hodgson and Baptiste will probably be in doubt as well.
Alan
Roar Guru
Click here to read the full match report from this game The Raiders are now within striking distance of a top four spot courtesy of a comfortable win over the Titans, who rallied very late on. Canberra raced out to a 30-10 lead by the hour mark and were never headed. Back to the drawing board for the Titans. DALLY M MEDAL POINTS 3: Jarrod Croker - Scored a first half double and always dangerous with possession. Always reliable. 2: Ryan James: Made over 150 metres upfront today - the most of any forward on the paddock and also scored a late try. He continues his great season 1: Papalli: Made over 114 metres and produced 24 tackles. Great performance backing up from Origin.
Alan
Roar Guru
80'- Titans playing hot potato footy in a bid to make the scoreline look very respectable. Good attitude I guess. Raiders too good in the end. FULLTIME Titans 22 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
The Titans have done well to avoid this match becoming a blow-out. They have left it far too late though. Raiders too clinical with the footy and did all the damage inside 60 minutes. itans 22 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Titans 22 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
Roberts with a good ball to McDonald who scores his second in the corner! TRY TITANS Titans 20 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Titans with the ball. Bomb goes high. Ball is loose. Titans feed. Titans 16 Raiders 30
Josh
Guest
It is true. When the reffing is lame then spite creeps in. I know Greg Bird gives it his all and I would love to have him in any team. I just thought he went overboard. But as you say it might never have happened if the officiating did not frustrate the players
Alan
Roar Guru
PENALTY MISSED Titans 16 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Raiders on the attack. Titans at the wrong end of the field. Time running out. To be fair, this game was dead when Lee raced away to score to make it 30-10. Raiders going for goal.... Titans 16 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Forward pass from the Titans and the Raiders off the hook. They should win from here surely.... Titans 16 Raiders 30
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I think that was just frustration to be honest, team is getting given one by the refs and multiple injuries aren't helping matters.
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Titans 16 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Titans on the attack. Raiders defence though has been solid all day. Titans two tries have come from kicks. Titans still attacking. Nothing slick about their play though. Offload to James who scores! TRY TITANS Titans 14 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - The Titans get the penalty and go on the attack. Too little too late for them though surely. Have to score here to give themselves a bit of hope. Titans 10 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Knock on by the Raiders as Croker's offload is knocked on by a team-mate. Titans hold on again. Titans 10 Raiders 30
Alan
Roar Guru
Knock on by Wighton in the lead-up to Bateman's try. Raiders though get the penalty for a strip that occurred earlier. Titans 10 Raiders 30
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Boyd blocked him and deserved more than an open handed palm.
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY RAIDERS Titans 10 Raiders 30