2022 Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 18 Preview
This is the last round of the regular season in the 2022 Canberra Raiders Cup and the race to the minor premiership is wide open. The Woden Valley Rams sit on top of the competition ladder - but have the bye this weekend. And in the Canberra Raiders Cup, there are no points for the bye.
Both the second placed Tuggeranong Bushrangers and third placed West Belconnen Warriors are one competition point behind the Rams. So this weekend's games will be crucial - not only in determining the minor premiership, but which teams lock in a top two spot and a second bite at the cherry in the finals.
Gungahlin Bulls V Tuggeranong Bushrangers
The Bulls produced a big upset against the ladder leading Rams last weekend - probably costing the Woden outfit the minor premiership. This week they have the chance at spoiling the party for the Bushrangers. Gungahlin scored four tries in the first half against the Rams, with five eighth Tre Holten Williams helping to create plenty of opportunity. They took a 24-6 lead to the break and then refused to give up control of the game in the second half. They ran out 28-12 winners.
Minor premiers last year, Gungahlin has now avoided this year's wooden spoon. But the Bulls have only won three games in 2022 - and it is difficult to see them upsetting Tuggeranong in this clash.
For a start, there is too much on the line for Tuggeranong. The Bushies are in second place on the ladder, level with the Warriors on competition points - but ahead on points differential. And because their advantage on points difference is so large, all Tuggeranong has to do is win this game and they will lock up first place. If they lose, that leaves the way open for the Warriors to jump into top spot.
In addition, Tuggeranong is now back in form. They're on a four game winning streak, having beaten both the Rams (30-16) and the Warriors (26-12) in recent weeks. They produced a huge, 62-10, win over the Bulldogs at Greenway last Saturday. They scored a total of 11 tries, eight in the first half. Returning from injury, Damien Hayden got a double, as did winger Jayden Pollard and centre Brigham Moeakiola.
"They're a really good team, the Bushies. I honestly think they're going to win the premiership," Goulburn assistant coach Adam McLaurie told
The Canberra Times after the game. "They're at least my tip to win the comp because they bring some really good energy and they're just tough to beat."
Season record: Bulls 3 and 12 (8th, -80)
Bushrangers 10 and 4, 1 draw (2nd, +179)
Form: Bulls WLLLW
Bushrangers LWWWW
Attacking record: Bulls 22, Bushrangers 31 points scored per match
Defensive record: Bulls 27, Bushrangers 17 points conceded per match
Last meeting: 2022 Round 9 Bushrangers 18 defeated Bulls 16 at Greenway
Belconnen United Sharks V Yass Magpies
A clash between fifth and ninth, this match has no bearing on the final order of the top four - but both teams will no doubt be wanting to finish their season on a good note. The Sharks have really lifted this season, particularly after the mid season arrival of player-coaches Zac Patch and Jake Hawkins from the Mackay Cutters. They'll have a good base to work from next season. Sadly, it looks like the Magpies will finish in last place, having won just twice this season. The form lines and numbers indicate a Sharks win at home in this one.
Season record: Sharks 7 and 8 (5th, -49)
Magpies 2 and 13 (9th, -230)
Form: Sharks WLWWL
Magpies LLWLL
Attacking record: Sharks 26, Magpies 15 points scored per match
Defensive record: Sharks 29, Magpies 31 points conceded per match
Last meeting: 2022 Round 9 Sharks 32 defeated Magpies 8 at Walker Park
Queanbeyan Blues V West Belconnen Warriors
Third versus fourth. This shapes as the match of the round.
The Blues were ruled out of contention for the minor premiership last Friday, after the CRRL deducted three competition points from the Queanbeyan outfit for salary cap breaches. In one way, they are probably breathing a sigh of relief, with The Canberra Times reporting that the CRRL had been considering a deduction of six points. But cooperation with the league to ensure they become compliant with the cap will see them playing finals footy.
The Warriors are still in the race for a top two finish - and can even finish in first place on the ladder if the Bushrangers lose to the Bulls. But in either case, the Warriors need to win this match at the home of the Blues, Seiffert Oval.
Both of these teams have had some recent slip ups.
The Blues have recently lost to the Kangaroos (36-22) and Sharks (44-34). But they are coming off back to back wins over the Bulldogs (27-22) and Magpies (34-14).
The Warriors have suffered recent losses to the Rams (22-12) and Bushrangers (26-12). And then last Saturday, they were upset by the Queanbeyan Kangaroos, 22-20, at Freebody Oval. The Warriors scored five tries to four, but halfback Bobby Roberts was unable to convert any of them. Warriors player-coach Ryan McQueen scored a try with just five minutes remaining - giving the visitors a shot at drawing level. But the missed conversion saw the Kangaroos hold on for the two point victory.
This is a match that could go either way - and it will crucially depend on the final team line ups. Regardless, both teams will be desperate for the win and it should be a great contest.
Season record: Blues 11 and 4 (4th, +202)
Warriors 10 and 4, 1 draw (3rd, +73)
Form: Blues WLLWW
Warriors WLLWL
Attacking record: Blues 36, Warriors 26 points scored per match
Defensive record: Blues 22, Warriors 21 points conceded per match
Last meeting: 2022 Round 9 Blues 46 defeated Warriors 18 at Kippax
Goulburn Bulldogs V Queanbeyan Kangaroos
This is the final match of the season for both of these teams.
The Bulldogs started the year strongly, with big wins in the first three rounds. But they struggled for consistency after that, with injuries causing disruptions. They suffered their biggest loss of the season at the hands of the Bushrangers last weekend.
In contrast, the Kangaroos had a horror opening month - and they won just twice in the first half of the season. But things improved from there, particularly with the arrival of former Raiders half, Sam Williams. In the second half of the year, they've beaten four of the top five teams - the Bushrangers (27-18), Sharks (31-24), Blues (36-22) and, last weekend, the Warriors (22-20). If Sam Williams isn't coaching somewhere next year, the Roos would no doubt love to retain him.
I'll go with the Roos to win on the road in this match.
Season record: Bulldogs 6 and 9 (7th, -43)
Kangaroos 7 and 8 (6th, -98)
Form: Bulldogs LWLLL
Kangaroos LWLWW
Attacking record: Bulldogs 24, Kangaroos 21 points scored per match
Defensive record: Bulldogs 27, Kangaroos 28 points conceded per match
Last meeting: 2022 Round 9 Bulldogs 38 defeated Kangaroos 18 at Freebody Oval
The Greenhouse will again be going around the grounds to cover the Canberra Raiders Cup matches whenever we can this season. Watch for our coverage on @TheGHRaiders on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, while we also provide live scores on Twitter via @CanberraCup.
Round 18
Saturday 27 August
Gungahlin Bulls V Tuggeranong Bushrangers, Gungahlin Enclosed, 3:00pm
Belconnen United Sharks V Yass Magpies, NSWRL HQ Bruce, 3:00pm
Queanbeyan Blues V West Belconnen Warriors, Seiffert Oval, 3:00pm *
Goulburn Bulldogs V Queanbeyan Kangaroos, Goulburn Arena, 3:00pm
BYE Woden Valley Rams
* Free live stream match.
Don't forget, you can watch every match in every grade of the Canberra Raiders Cup with a subscription to Bar TV Sports:
Click here
Team lists: Click here.
Canberra Raiders Cup: CRRL Round 18 Preview:
https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2022/08 ... -preview2/
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