Raiders
22
Match Complete
Dragons
16
| 78 |  | Z. Lomax | ||
| 78 |  | M. Dufty | ||
| 65 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 64 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 59 | | M. Dufty | ||
| J. Croker | | 55 | ||
| J. Croker | | 39 | ||
| G. Williams | | 38 | ||
| J. Croker | | 15 | ||
| B. Simonsson | | 14 | ||
| J. Croker | | 5 | ||
| N. Cotric | | 4 |
| 4 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Footy returns to the nation’s capital for the first time since March when the Canberra Raiders host the St George Illawarra Dragons at GIO Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores from 6pm (AEST).
Things have not been going smoothly for the Raiders in recent weeks. Since laying down what everyone thought was their premiership marker in an away win over the Storm in Round 3, they’ve lost three of four games, including a golden-point heartbreaker to the Eels last week.
That was an improved performance from last year’s grand finalists compared to previous efforts, but with lock Corey Horsburgh suffering a lisfranc injury which will sideline him long-term and John Bateman declaring he’ll leave the club at the end of the year, the Green Machine haven’t had much go right recently.
Ricky Stuart has shuffled his side around for tonight’s clash. Joe Tapine returns from the casualty ward to replace Horsburgh, Bailey Simonsson comes onto the wing for the injured Jordan Rapana, and out-of-sorts centre Curtis Scott has been demoted to the bench. Michael Oldfield takes his place in the starting side.
After being the last team to record a win this year, St George will be enjoying the relative anonymity which has come with mediocre – rather than just outright bad – performances. It helps that coaching speculation is now directed north of the Tweed, rather than at Paul McGregor.
The Dragons actually have an excellent record against the Raiders, winning five of their last seven against the Canberrans. After offering solid enough resistance to the Roosters last week, McGregor has named an unchanged side for today’s match.
Game information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Teams
Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Iosia Soliola, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joseph Tapine
Bench/Reserves: 14. Curtis Scott, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Ryan Sutton, 17. Siliva Havili, 18. Tom Starling, 19. Dunamis Lui, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Kai O’Donnell
Dragons
1. Matt Dufty, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tyrell Fuimaono, 13. Trent Merrin
Bench/Reserves: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Josh Kerr, 16. Korbin Sims, 17. Jackson Ford, 18. Eddie Blacker, 19. Tristan Sailor, 20. Billy Brittain, 21. Timoteo Lafai
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I'll take a win any day of the week - beats the alternative
Taree Raider
Guest
Atkien & Lomax were very good, Croaker & Oldfield were very, very bad. Cotric needs to be given a go in there centres. Playing outside Croaker in defence would be a terrible experience, as Jarrod is too inconsistent.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yep. So it's not there to improve the game, it's there to take heat off a flawed system...
Zenn
Roar Rookie
It seems to stop players arguing with ref... Ref just says "If you don't like it, challenge it "
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
...haha...yep, Mary's half time talks usually spell trouble but your boys came back really well!
danwain
Roar Rookie
They played really well in the second half, some premising signs the last few weeks, just need to cut out those stupid mistakes and we can upset a few teams
Soda
Roar Rookie
Dragons have played ordinary tonight and turned up too late. Lomax and aitken looked good. I thought the officiating was pretty ordinary tonight though.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Dragons believed they could win just too late.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
That must be the first second half win in about 2 years.
Nat
Roar Rookie
While the result was put to bed early, there was signs of life in the Saints. Some really poor calls from the ref tonight. Not favouring one side or the other just basic mistakes he shouldn't make.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Mary. For him, it's a win. He can go back to the board and say we pushed the last two grandfinalists to the bell. Ask for a contract extension
danwain
Roar Rookie
Both centres were good tonight I thought. Was nice to see a Dufty to Lomax to Saab to Lomax try also
Scott Pryde
Expert
Pretty average, but if you had of told me a fortnight ago that we'd avoid blowouts two weeks in a row against the Roosters and Raiders, I would have taken it.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Good second half by the Dragons - 16 to 4...
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
He made three statements and got em all wrong. That will do me.
danwain
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure who is the happier team at the end of the game
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Ahh.. dear.. another.. “it was there to be won” game. Aitken showing some form.
78
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Evening all. Williams seems to love to throw a blind wild speculator every so often.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Great stuff - another good try Dragons....