
Canberra Raiders V Cronulla Sharks
Campbelltown Stadium
Saturday 7 September 2:45pm
On line radio: www.steelesports.com.au
Canberra Raiders
1. Manase Kaho
2. Semi Valemei
3. Gideon Afemui
4. Matthew Timoko
5. Jackson Stuart
6. Joe Roberts
7. Tobias Westcott
8. Tyson Hodge
9. Kyle Paterson
10. Thomas Robertson
11. Jordan Martin
12. Kai O'Donnell
13. Darby Medlyn
14. Ata Mariota
15. Lazarus Vaalepu
16. Duwanye Mariner
17. Silafono Titiuti
Cronulla Sharks
1. Jonaiah Lualua
2. Jonah Ngaronoa
3. Jensen Taumoepeau
4. Vito Tevaga
5. Josh Delailoa
6. Kai Broadhurst
7. Angus Ernst
8. Thomas Hazelton
9. Lachlan Scarpelli
10. Monty Raper ©
11. Tom Caughlan
12. Jack Boyling
13. Fine Kula
14. Connor Luhan
15. Franklin Pele
16. Jackson Stewart
17. Isaac Longmuir
18. Cooper Bowen
19. Lorenzo Mulitalo
20. Zane Elsley
Preview
Last week: The Canberra Raiders secured a top four finish with a 28-26 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons at Shellharbour. Both teams scored three tries in the first half, with hooker Kyle Patterson, winger Semi Valemi and centre Matt Timoko crossing for the Green Machine. Canberra took a 18-14 lead to the break, with goal kicking proving the difference.
The Dragons took a 20-18 lead early in the second half, after a try to fullback Cody Ramsey. But the Raiders kicked away again after the Raiders scored two four pointers in the space of three minutes - to bench forward Lazarus Vaalepu and centre Gideon Afemui. A late try to the Dragons, a second for Ramsey, proved not to be enough, with the home team falling short by two points.
This week: The victory on Saturday meant that the Green Machine finished in fourth place, and now face the formidable task of meeting the minor premiers, the Cronulla Sharks, in Week 1 of the finals.
The Sharks have lost just five matches this season, but the Raiders are only three competition points adrift of Cronulla. The Sharks were in the top two teams on the ladder in every round but one, Round 1 - and led the competition for the bulk of the season. Canberra was second only to the Panthers in attack this season, while the Sharks finished eighth on this score. However no team conceded fewer points than the Sharks in 2019, while the Raiders ranked fifth in defence.
The Sharks have dropped some games towards the end of the season, losing to the Dragons three weeks ago (38-18) and losing back to back to back in Rounds 18-19 - to the Warriors (16-12) and Bulldogs (12-10). They also drew with the Rabbitohs (20-20) in Round 20.
The Raiders had a small "slump", losing four in a row between Round 12 and 15. However, during that period, Canberra put on a very good performance against the Sharks in Round 14 at West Belconnen, losing by just a point (25-24). In the Raiders' past eight games, they have lost just once - to the Roosters four weeks ago.
Season record: Raiders 12 and 6, 2 draws (4th, +200)
Sharks 14 and 5, 1 draw (1st, +169)
Form: Raiders: WLWWW
Dragons: DWLWW
Attacking record: Raiders 29, Sharks 23 points scored per match
Defensive record: Raiders 19, Sharks 15 points conceded per match
Raiders record away: 7 and 2
Sharks record away: 7 and 2
Recent meeting: 2019 Round 14 - Cronulla Sharks 25 defeated Canberra Raiders 24 at Kippax
Raiders team changes: The Raiders have named the same team that took to the field last week against the Dragons.
Our tip: It is obviously going to be a big task for the Raiders to knock off the minor premiers - but their performance against the Sharks earlier this year proved that they can compete against the best. In addition, the Sharks have looked just a little vulnerable at times. The Raiders love playing away, and with this game played at a neutral ground, I'm going to tip the Green Machine to cause the upset in this one - and head to a Preliminary Final.
Jersey Flegg Round 24 team statistics: https://www.nswrl.com.au/draw/jersey-fl ... v-raiders/
Jersey Flegg Round 24 highlights: https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/09/0 ... p---rd-24/
(1:45 min mark)

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