Raiders v Dragons: Sasagi returns; Young sticks solid
The Raiders will be keen to bounce back and halt their losing streak when they host an equally desperate Dragons side on the hunt for their second win.
Back at home in front of their fans after losing their way after a dominant start against the Storm last week, Ricky Stuart's men showed some glimpses of their best - but could not sustain it to lose 42-20.
In what was a snapshot of their season so far, the Dragons put in a huge fight against the Knights last week and were even able to score more tries - but still went down 20-22 after some wayward goal kicking couldn't keep them in front.
There were some good signs from the side against the top-tier Newcastle side, but some lapses in decision-making in defence once again proved costly.
However, the visitors will be confident that with full concentration for the entire 80 minutes, they will be able to turn their fortunes around in the nation's capital.
Match: Raiders v Dragons
Round 17 -
home Team
Raiders
13th Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team News
Raiders: The Green Machine line up 1-19 with no late changes. Simi Sasagi returns from a calf injury and comes straight into the centres, with Seb Kris shifting to the interchange. Emerging fullback Chevy Stewart has been named on the six-man bench and could provide attacking X-factor as the Raiders look to kick-start their season.
Dragons: Nick Tsougranis drops out of the side 90 minutes before kick-off with Jacob Halangahu and Lyhkan King-Togia rounding out the interchange. Moses Suli remains sidelined for a second-straight week after going down in the warm-up before the Round 16 clash with the Knights. That will see Tyrell Sloan remain on the wing and Mat Feagai at centre in an unchanged starting side.
Match: Raiders v Dragons
Round 17 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio TamaleWinger for Dragons is number 2 Setu Tu
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi SasagiCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew Feagai
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Dragons is number 5 Tyrell Sloan
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan SandersHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey HorsburghProp for Dragons is number 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Owen PattieHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Dylan Egan
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Hamish Stewart
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Jayden BraileyLock for Dragons is number 13 Ryan Couchman
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata MariotaInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Emre Guler
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan SmithiesInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Sebastian KrisInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Chevy StewartReserve for Dragons is number 18 Jacob Halangahu
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Jake ClydsdaleReserve for Dragons is number 20 Lyhkan King-Togia
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won five of their last six games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have not won at GIO Stadium since 2015.
- The Raiders have lost five from seven at GIO Stadium this season.
- Dragons centre Valentine Holmes has scored seven tries in six games at GIO Stadium.
- Raiders centre Matt Timoko has scored five tries in his last five games against the Dragons.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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