You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

The Raiders produced a stirring comeback to force golden point against the Eels but Ricky Stuart wasn't overly impressed with what he witnessed from last year's runners-up.

In contrast, Paul McGregor must have taken plenty of positives out of his side's performance against the Roosters, even though the Dragons came up empty.

For many years the Dragons found it impossible to win in Canberra and they are sure to face a hostile reception this weekend from a small but vocal crowd returning to GIO Stadium for the first time since round one.

A broken nose suffered in the rugged clash against the Eels won't slow down impressive Raiders half George Wiliams and his showdown with the Dragons' mature age rookie Adam Clune will be one of many intriguing clashes in Canberra.

The Rundown

Team news

Raiders: Ricky Stuart has made late changes, promoting Emre Guler and Ryan Sutton to the starting lineup. Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine will come off the bench. Bailey Simonsson moves from the interchange to replace Jordan Rapana on the wing and Michael Oldfield replaces Curtis Scott at centre, with Scott dropping to the bench. Halfback George Williams broke his nose last week but will be fine to play. Tom Starling and Matt Frawley were the last players pruned from the reserves, while Dunamis Lui and Kai O'Donnell were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. The Raiders have won only two of their past five games at GIO Stadium.

Dragons: No changes for the Dragons, who have won five of their past seven games against the Raiders. Tristan Sailor and Eddie Blacker were trimmed from the squad an hour prior to kick-off, while Billy Brittain and Tim Lafai were omitted on Thursday.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jason Saab
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Michael Oldfield
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Adam Clune

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Iosia Soliola
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnes
  • Prop for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tyrell Fuimaono
  • Lock for Raiders is number 16 Ryan Sutton
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Trent Merrin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Ben Hunt
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Joseph Tapine
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Curtis Scott
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Korbin Sims
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Siliva Havili
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jackson Ford

Match Officials

  • Referee: Matt Cecchin
  • Touch Judge: Henry Perenara
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad v Matt Dufty. Raiders fullback CNK scored two tries last week to help force the game into over-time and they’ll need his attacking magic again. Dragons No.1 Dufty has been sensational for the last three weeks, unveiling an awesome passing game that has led to him setting up five tries.

Stat attack

Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson has made 299 tackles so far in 2020 – good enough for eighth best in the NRL. Concerningly for the England international, he is credited with a NRL-high 42 missed tackles.

 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.