Canberra Raiders
34
Match Complete
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
18
| J. Croker |  | 79 | ||
| S. Valemei |  | 78 | ||
| J. Croker | | 75 | ||
| X. Savage | | 73 | ||
| J. Croker | | 64 | ||
| H. Young | | 63 | ||
| 46 | | B. Trindall | ||
| 45 | | R. Mulitalo | ||
| J. Wighton | | 41 | ||
| J. Croker |  | 39 | ||
| 33 | | B. Trindall | ||
| 32 | | S. Katoa | ||
| 25 | | B. Trindall | ||
| 23 | | J. Ramien | ||
| J. Croker | | 18 | ||
| J. Croker | | 11 | ||
| J. Croker | | 10 | ||
| J. Rapana | | 8 |
| 5 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
With both the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks coming away with wins last week, they will be wanting to keep the momentum going in their clash this afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
Both teams have been thrust into the Queensland bubble, so it will be interesting to see whose preparation has been the least affected.
The Raiders, who sit in 11th on the ladder, will be hoping for a second consecutive win today, while Cronulla will be wanting to hold on to their spot in the top eight.
The Sharks have gone down to the Raiders in their past five meetings, so they will be trying to buck that trend this afternoon.
Canberra are welcoming back their Origin stars Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii. Matt Moylan is still injured and Will Chambers is still in Melbourne following the birth of his child, so the Sharks are fielding the same 17 that won last week against the Warriors.
The Raiders are trying to put their season dramas, both off and on the field, behind them. A win this afternoon will surely set them back on the right path. Sharks coach Josh Hannay will want his team to be six wins from the past seven games by full time, and I’m sure getting a win against his old coach Ricky Stuart isn’t far from his mind either.
Cronulla seems to have found their grove of late. With star players back and the dramas of John Morris well behind them, I think they will be too strong today for Canberra.
What do you think, Roarers? Will the Sharks’ good fortune continue, or will the win against Manly last week be just the thing to get the Raiders back on track this afternoon?
Join The Roar at 5:30pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our blog.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
TV: Fox League (Channel 502)
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Sharks $1.63, Raiders $2.26 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Canberra Raiders
1. Xavier Savage, 2. Semi Valemi, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Emre Guler, 11 Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Ryan Young
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joseph Tapine, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Ryan James | 18. Matthew Timoko, 19. Trey Mooney, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Harley Smith-Shields
Cronulla Sharks
1. William Kennedy, 2. Siona Katoa, 3. Connor Tracey, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Blakye Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods (c), 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Toby Rudolf
Bench/Reserves: 14. Mawene Hiroti, 15. Siosifa Talakai, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele | 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Luke Metcalf
Renegade
Roar Guru
He wasn’t great last night… but to be fair - the club said they don’t want him so you wouldn’t blame him… yet he still moved his family which includes a new born up there to continuing playing…. Saying he doesn’t care is a bit over the top and simply looking for someone to blame.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Good on you Geoff. Two emphatic wins in a row. You murdered my Sea Eagles. I had to check the Woolworths Roast Chicken the next day to make sure the product labeling was correct.
Bill
Guest
Agree Geoff. I think the Raiders let in some soft tries but were otherwise way too good for the Sharks. Not sure I thought Wighton was that good, I can’t shake the feeling we’re better without him. I’m probably wrong. Great win tho! Bill
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
We are back HY
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
About the only decision you could whine about was the 8 point try in the fist 10 minutes - didn't see the ref have much influence for the rest of the game
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Full marks to Jack Wighton and young Xavier Savage for playing through some painful injuries for as long as they did. Savage looks like a future superstar and Jack was very solid in the time he was on the ground. Jack got some stick for his performance in Origin but I though he made some really good decisions tonight. CHN was very impressive for the whole game as was Jordan Rapana. Really liked the way the Raiders threw the ball around with a massive number of offloads. The Sharks stuck with them for most of the match but it was good to see the Raiders hold their nerve and finish the better team
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You're kidding - good game for the first 60 minutes but the Sharks fell apart in the final 20 with some dumb plays. You can ref blame all you like but the Raiders were too good
Bill
Guest
Thanks lady league, appreciated :happy:
Danielle Smith
Editor
Sorry for any spelling errors, or any errors for that matter. First go at the blog tonight. Sorry for any frustration caused.
JVGO
Guest
And you are a Raiders fan? Seriously? Your coach and fans are the biggest complainers in the entire competition....always....just generally with no reason.
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
How about an anti-whining rule for their supporters?
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
Can you write in English please? Or did the ball really streak away by itself?
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
Dyslexia lures okay!
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
Queensland sprint champion!
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
W I G H T O N! Look it up!
RooBoy18
Roar Rookie
From faders to finalists? Anyhow...congrats Raiders. Here’s hoping they can reignite their season.
JVGO
Guest
I don't think anyone really cares, especially SJ.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
true, it's an important point to be aware of, losing to other teams fighting for the 7&8th spots is a double blow, 2 missed for you but 2 gained for them. I actually think you're still in the mix. Dragoon, Knights, Sharks and Raiders. 2 teams in and 2 out at the end. Makes your game in 3/4 weeks with Knights very important, you don't want to have to beat Storm last game to make it in.
JVGO
Guest
Without the 4 points bizarrely gifted to the Raiders scores would have been level when off side speed machine Josh Papali forced an error on his offside kick chase. Talakai gets sin binned for telling the ref to check the off side and they score one more against a man down. That's not running away with it...that's rigged.
JVGO
Guest
Pretty hard when they don't enforce the rules for the opposition and just make up new stuff no one has ever heard of for us.