Canberra's reward for snapping their five-game losing streak despite playing a man down for more than half a game against the Bulldogs is a match-up with the potent Melbourne attacking machine.
The loss of Josh Papalii, Jack Wighton and Josh Hodgson to suspension multiplies the difficulty of that assignment exponentially.
Coach Ricky Stuart has said repeatedly how proud he is of the team's ability to keep on fighting but it will take more than guts and determination to counter the Storm's many weapons or breach the second-best defence in the NRL.
The possible return of Joseph Tapine, Jordan Rapana, Sia Soliola and Ryan Sutton would help Stuart plug some holes but the Raiders will also need to manufacture some luck if they are to be competitive on Saturday.
With Melbourne continuing to pour on the points despite losing key players coach Craig Bellamy is in a pretty good place. Even the blow of losing gun No.1 Ryan Papenhuyzen and back-up hooker Tyson Smoothy is balanced out by the hot form of Nicho Hynes and the return of hooker Brandon Smith.
Match: Raiders v Storm
Round 11 -
home Team
Raiders
11th Position
away Team
Storm
2nd Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
The rundown
Team news
Raiders: Ryan Sutton has been promoted to the starting side in his return from an elbow injury and Hudson Young reverts to the bench. Matthew Timoko is 18th man,
Ricky Stuart has been forced into multiple changes by the suspensions of Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii and Josh Hodgson.
Veteran playmaker Sam Williams is the new five-eighth, Dunamis Lui moves from lock to prop to cover for Papalii and NSW Cup halfback Brad Schneider has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench in place of Hodgson.
Siliva Havili and Harry Rushton were the first two players cut 24 hours before kick-off and Iosia Soliola was the last man cut an hour before kick-off.
Joe Tapine (knee) and Jordan Rapana (hamstring) are at least another week away from selection.
Captain Jarrod Croker has recovered from a shoulder injury but will remain out indefinitely as he receives treatment for a knee issue.
The Raiders have lost their past three games at GIO Stadium and have won only three of their past 18 games at the venue against the Storm.
Storm: A late change an hour before kick-off with Aaron Booth coming on to the bench for his NRL debut and Aaron Pene dropping back to 18th man. Dean Ieremia was the last man cut from the squad.
Jahrome Hughes (calf) and Kenny Bromwich (hamstring) came out of the side on Friday with Cooper Johns to slot in at halfback and Tom Eisenhuth moving into the back row. Trent Loiero is the new face on the bench.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen (head knock) missing round 11 as expected Nicho Hynes returns to fullback.
Brandon Smith's suspension expired at just the right time with Tyson Smoothy sidelined by a knee injury, the Kiwi coming straight back in at dummy-half.
The Storm have scored 40 points or more in six of their past seven games while winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored nine tries in his past two games.
Match: Raiders v Storm
Round 11 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Caleb AekinsFullback for Storm is number 1 Nicholas Hynes
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Storm is number 2 George Jennings
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian KrisCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis ScottCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Semi ValemeiWinger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Sam WilliamsFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Chris Lewis
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George WilliamsHalfback for Storm is number 19 Cooper Johns
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Dunamis LuiProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Storm is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Emre GulerProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth
-
Lock for Raiders is number 15 Ryan SuttonLock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Hudson YoungInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Brad SchneiderInterchange for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Storm is number 18 Aaron Booth
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ryan JamesInterchange for Storm is number 20 Trent Loiero
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Matthew TimokoReserve for Storm is number 14 Aaron Pene
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Key match-up
Tom Starling v Brandon Smith: Canberra's speedy and skilful rising star, who has surpassed English veteran Josh Hodgson as Canberra's No.1 dummy-half, presents a sharp study in contrasts with the player they call the Hectic Cheese.
His game is built on speed and skill whereas his more experienced Kiwi rival is all about physicality and a full-speed-ahead philosophy.
Stat attack
Melbourne's top-rated attack, No.1 for both points and tries, opens up opposing defences at almost double the rate of Canberra. The Storm rank No.1 for line breaks with 74 while the Raiders are a distance ninth in that category on 44.
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