Raiders
22
Match Complete
Sharks
20
| J. Croker |  | 63 | ||
| 55 |  | S. Johnson | ||
| 53 |  | J. Dugan | ||
| 46 | | S. Johnson | ||
| 44 | | B. Hamlin-Uele | ||
| 33 | | J. Morris | ||
| 28 | | J. Dugan | ||
| J. Croker | | 24 | ||
| J. Croker | | 23 | ||
| J. Croker | | 18 | ||
| B. Simonsson | | 16 | ||
| J. Croker | | 10 | ||
| A. Sezer | | 9 | ||
| J. Croker | | 2 |
| 3 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
In what could be the game of the round, the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks will clash in the nation’s capital with a crucial two points and momentum on the line. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
If you had of said the Raiders and Sharks would be involved in a match of the round situation come Round 14 before the season started, you would have been laughed right out of the building.
But certainly in the case of the Raiders, it’s been surprise after surprise as the 2019 season has rolled on, and they find themselves at home tonight with a massive chance of making a statement.
They have just been playing high-quality rugby league, led by their English forwards. John Bateman, Ryan Sutton and Elliot Whitehead have done a job, while the rest of the pack has backed up well and Josh Hodgson adds something to the spine that few other sides have coming out of dummy half.
It’s the role of Hodgson which will be crucial tonight as he tries to direct the pack around and direct as much traffic as possible at the Sharks forwards, who have a way of generall grinding their way into winning positions.
Canberra had hit a mid-season stumbling block just a few weeks ago, but back-to-back wins against the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers, who they shut out 28-0 on the road last week in a startling effort.
They will be confident, but so will the Sharks, who have really started to turn it on in their rise towards the top four, picking up five wins in their last seven starts.
It’s that kind of momentum the Sharks love playing with, and John Morris has his Cronulla side firing on all cylinders with injured troops starting to return.
Matt Moylan has been great since returning, while the kicking game of Chad Townsend and possibly Shaun Johnson will be enormous to keep the strong Canberra pack on the back foot.
Prediction
The Raiders are at home, and frankly, that’s about all I can find to split the team. The return of Wade Graham added plenty last week, but the Raiders pack should neutralise him a little bit. Add to that a bit of rust early if Shaun Johnson plays, and the home side should get the job done.
Raiders by 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this crucial match at the top end of the NRL ladder from 7:50pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
TV: Live Fox League 502, Channel 9
Online: Live, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, Kayo Sports, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Raiders $1.90, Sharks $1.90
Overall record: Played 71, Sharks 39, Raiders 32
Last meeting: Round 19, 2018 – Sharks 24 defeated by Raiders 28 at PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla
Last five: Sharks 4, Raiders 1
Record at venue: Played 28, Raiders 14, Sharks 14
Referees: Ashley Klein, Peter Gough
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Nick Cotric 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Siliva Havili 10. Dunamis Lui 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Iosia Soliola 17. Ryan Sutton 18. Sam Williams 19. Royce Hunt
Cronulla Sharks
1. Matt Moylan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Morris 5. Josh Dugan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Wade Graham 15. Jayson Bukuya 16. Jack Williams 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Aaron Gray 21. Shaun Johnson
Scott Jones
Guest
why did the ref leave
14-12
Guest
Not wrong there mate. We were diabolical in the opening 20 mins.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Couldn't see who did what from where I was sitting. I'll have to look at the replay. Looked like a lack of discipline from where I was sitting that gave the Sharks possession which eventually led to a try.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Teams that, psychologically speaking, have cashed in their chips for the season do concede 50 plus points but the Sharks didn't. They pushed the Raiders to their limit for the last 56 mins just like the Raiders pushed the Rabbitohs and the Rabbitohs pushed the Roosters. Strike that. The Rabbitohs SMASHED the Roosters! LOL ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Hardly a bold tip that one. What about Rabbitohs vs Panthers and Storm vs Knights? Your namesake, Alex Johnston, has been named on an extended bench and is a chance of playing. Souths desperately need a lift to their back 3, Graham has been strong as always but he can't do it all by himself. Having AJ at FB and Gagai on the right wing would definitely help Souths get back on track. Having Adam Reynolds, Sam and Tom Burgess would have helped and having Cody Walker back should make all the difference.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Yeah mate all good. If we played the first half like we played the second half it would have been a much different result. I don't know what was happening in that first half hour but I was really concerned we were going to lose by 60.
RandyM
Guest
You mean when Gallen slapped Bateman in the face and got a penalty for it?
Insider
Roar Rookie
You seriously need to stop earthing
Neel
Roar Guru
Another win for the Raiders. Sure look the goods in 2019.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
9 degrees at the start of the game and 6 degrees at the end - didn't really notice the cold to be honest - I've been when its been much colder. Bit disappointed with a crowd of 10,000 given both teams went into the match in very good form. I thought it would have been 14 or 15,000 given the Raiders have been much better this season.
AJ Mithen
Expert
I was long overdue Papi. Roosters by 18 ;)
Scott Pryde
Expert
I completely agree there is a long time to fix it, but teams who don't give away dumb penalties and drop the ball every time they get it don't need to defend for 20 minutes...
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree Baz, not sure what EJ was watching... while cheering Dylan Walker...
Renegade
Roar Guru
They barely had any ball and had to defend for 20 mins.... I’m not sure many teams would’ve faired better. Even if it was an issue, they’ve got 12 weeks to fix it... and they still haven’t reached full strength, it’s all about September.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
The Raiders were excellent for the first 25 minutes - went to sleep for the next 40 and then managed to tough it out in the last 15 minutes. Some awful errors and undisciplined plays (i.e. John Bateman's effort on Paul Gallen) in those 40 minutes contributed to Sharks possession and tries. But in the end they found a way to win and I'm not sure that it would have happened last year. A couple of gutsy match winning plays by Jack Wighton in the last 10 minutes helped along with the final intercept by Jarrod Croker. Great comeback by the Sharks - they are never out of it. They are masters at the wrestle and took advantage of the refs not policing the ten metres. Ricky will have to address the Raiders backing off in those 40 minutes. Got to be happy with a close win like that against quality opposition.
Scott Pryde
Expert
From my preview mate... Prediction The Raiders are at home, and frankly, that’s about all I can find to split the team. The return of Wade Graham added plenty last week, but the Raiders pack should neutralise him a little bit. Add to that a bit of rust early if Shaun Johnson plays, and the home side should get the job done. Raiders by 2.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
...and out! And YES, all YOUR fault.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Last year you were saying that about the Roosters and the Storm and the Roosters haven't changed their style or tactics in 2019. But then, that was before you overstepped the line and got all butthurt when the door slammed shut and hit you on the beak and you swallowed a bunch of sour grapea and took up fishing for Rabbits. Remember at the start of this year you told me Bennett would be a good thing for Souths and he would take them to their 22nd premiership and that Seibold would flop, fall flat on his face and take the Broncos to oblivion and out of the top 8? Happy days! Happy days!
Big Daddy
Guest
Just watching aftermatch interviews. Fatty Vautin is an absolute disgrace. Why do they have yobbos like him on t.v.. People don't want to hear about his gallstones.
Big Daddy
Guest
They haven't called one all year, so probably wouldn't have tonite. They penalise not playing the ball correctly yet there are still lots not penalised. Penalties are still a lottery.