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Canberra Raiders V Illawarra Steelers
Saturday 1 May, 3:00pm
Leichhardt Oval
On line broadcast: NSWRL TV via the NSWRL Facebook page
Canberra Raiders
1. Jack Sandford 2. Xavier Savage 3. Deakin Bright 4. Josh Billing 5. Michael Asomua 6. Mitchell Spencer 7. Sione Moala 8. Loghan Lewis 9. Toby Thorburn 23. Caleb Esera 11. Noah Saddler 12. Clay Webb 13. Trey Mooney
14. Connor Williams 15. Blake Martin 16. Mitchell Prest 21. Wilson Hamblin
22. Joshua Pokoney
Illawarra Steelers
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Alexander Lobb 3. Benjamin Lavender 4. Brandon Morkos 5. Cooper Roberts 6. Junior Amone 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Bryce Magnone 9. Riley Wooden 17. Trent Griffiths 11. Jackson Shereb 12. Travis Barrett-Hancock 13. Joshua Coric
10. Thomas Phillips 15. Trey Barlow 16. Jack Owens 18. Syddarys Cassidy
14. Viliami Mahe
AT A GLANCE:
Last week: The Canberra Raiders have qualified for the SG Ball Grand Final, defeating the Manly Sea Eagles, 20-18, in an epic at Leichhardt Oval. The Raiders started fast, scoring three tries in the opening 10 minutes. The speed of Xavier Savage was on full display, with the Raiders going wide early, and making big inroads. Tries to prop Caleb Esera, hooker Toby Thorburn and centre Deakin Bright produced an 18-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles fought their way back into the match - producing some questionable niggling and strong arm tactics. Half Sione Moala was hit late and then high in the first half - with the second incident, in the 25th minute, forcing him from the field for an HIA. Manly lock Siua Fotu was sin binned for the high shot - and the ensuing penalty goal for the Raiders from Mitchell Spencer would later prove crucial.
Sea Eagles hooker Daniel O'Donnell got a double in the first half - with his second try coming just before the break, while Fotu was in the bin. The Raiders led by 20-12 at half time - and almost all they would do in the second half was defend, desperately. Manly fullback Kaeo Weekes scored in the 38th minute - reducing the gap to just two points. But they simply couldn't breach the Raiders' line after that. The Green Machine's defence was simply superb.
VIDEO: SG Ball Semi Final highlights: https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2021/04/2 ... ighlights/
VIDEO: Raiders belt out team song: https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2021/04 ... final-win/
This week: The Raiders now meet the Illawarra Steelers in the Grand Final. The Steelers finished the regular season in sixth, but they beat the No. 1 team, the Sydney Roosters, 42-32, on Saturday to qualify for the decider. The Steelers had a 5 and 2 record in the regular season - plus they had one draw. They started the year with losses to the Roosters (28-16) at Mascot and the Raiders (36-10) at Kippax. They have been undefeated since, and are on a seven game winning streak. The Raiders finished the season with a six and two record - and have a LLWWW form line in their past five games. Canberra opened the season with a five game winning streak, but suffered a late season dip - in part due to disruptions to the line up. They are now close to full strength.
Illawarra had a slightly better defensive record than the Raiders in the regular season, conceding 20 points per game, compared with 21 conceded by Canberra. However, the Raiders just shaded the Steelers in attack (37 points scored per game, compared with 34 for Illawarra).
During their finals matches, the Raiders defeated the fifth placed Bulldogs and the second placed Sea Eagles, while the Steelers have had tougher road - beating the third placed Rabbitohs and the minor premiers, the Roosters.
The Canberra Raiders have won the SG Ball premiership three times. They beat the Panthers 36-6 in the 1995 Grand Final; the Eels, 16-4 in 2003; and the Steelers, 34-12, in 2005. The Steelers have also won the premiership three times - in 1989, 1996 and most recently in 2019.
Canberra last made the Grand Final back in 2012, fielding a team that featured a young Anthony Milford at half, Brenko Lee at centre and Patrick Mago at lock. Matt Frawley is the only current Raider that was in that squad - named at No. 19. They were defeated, 42-20, by a Balmain Tigers outfit captained by Mitchell Moses, and featuring Manaia Cherrington at hooker. There are only half a dozen players who played in the match, who became first graders. It tells us a lot about how tough it is to make it to the NRL.
But next Saturday marks an important day in the rugby league careers of 34 young players. History has its eyes on you.
Team news: Canberra Raiders coach Ash Barnes has named an unchanged line up to the one that beat the Sea Eagles. The Steelers have added Jack Owens to the bench, with Viliame Mahe becoming 18th man.