Fresh off producing the equal biggest comeback win in Premiership history last week, the Dolphins will look to claim their second victory of the year against the Raiders.
After edging past Canberra thanks to a late Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow try at home in Round 2, Wayne Bennett's side head to McDonalds Park in Wagga Wagga to try and complete a sweep of the Green Machine in their inaugural season.
Incredibly, the Dolphins overcame a 26-point deficit to beat the Titans 28-26 in Round 8, with interchange men Mark Nicholls and Jarrod Wallace playing a key role, along with an assured showing from teenage half Isaiya Katoa.
With Sean O'Sullivan sidelined long-term and Anthony Milford missing from last week's clash, Katoa was superb under pressure in guiding the Dolphins back from the brink of defeat and will no doubt play a pivotal role again this week.
Canberra will be refreshed after missing Anzac Round on the bye and looking to maintain the momentum generated from consecutive 20-14 wins over the Broncos and Dragons. Interestingly, only two teams have lost coming off the bye all year – Penrith going down to the Eels in Golden Point in Round 4 while Wests Tigers narrowly went down to the Sea Eagles in the final minutes of their clash last week.
The Raiders have played three times at this week's venue since 2019 but won just once, with defeats in each of the past two seasons.
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Team News
Raiders: Canberra will take the field 1-17. In the only change to the side that beat the Dragons in Round 7, Jordan Rapana returns from the head cut he suffered against the Broncos and slots in on the wing for Nick Cotric (hamstring). James Schiller is the replacement player.
Dolphins: Kurt Donoghoe joins the bench for Mark Nicholls (thumb), in an otherwise unchanged line-up from that named mid-week. Kenny Bromwich's return from a one-game suspension sees Herman Ese'ese move to the bench. Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa remain the halves, with Anthony Milford dropping out of the squad after originally being included in the extended reserves.
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Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won only one of their three games played in Wagga.
- Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has won nine of his past 11 games coaching against Ricky Stuart.
- Raiders centre Jarrod Croker has kicked eight goals from eight attempts since his return in Round 6.
- The Dolphins have conceded an average of 24 points per game.
- Hudson Young has scored three tries in his past four games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.