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Match Preview

Dragons v Raiders: Turner in for Sloan; Ricky shuffles pack

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As the Raiders continued their habit of winning tight games last Saturday, the Dragons copped a hammering for the second week in a row. 

Canberra held on for their 10th win of the season at home to the Titans in Round 18 and have now been involved in 10 games this season where the final margin has been six points or less, of which they have won eight. 

The Green Machine now find themselves on the edge of the top four ahead of an upcoming month in which they'll face just one side currently in the top eight. 

With a 52-16 loss to the Sharks last week the Dragons on the other hand have now leaked 100 points across the past fortnight, with only the Wests Tigers sitting between them and the foot of the ladder. 

Back in Round 7 a 20-14 Raiders win continued what has been a good run for them against this week's opponent, and since 2017 they've won seven of 10 meetings with the Dragons. 

While they've won only one of three at the venue this year, WIN Stadium was a happy hunting ground for St George Illawarra last year, with five victories and a lone defeat. 

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Dragons v Raiders

Team News 

Dragons: Edge forward Jaydn Su'A is out with a shoulder injury, replaced by Billy Burns on the edge. Centre Moses Suli (head knock) will return but Jack Bird (knee) remains sidelined in a blow for the Red V. Dan Russell has been called on to the bench for his debut with Ryan Couchman 18th man.

Raiders: A couple of late changes for the visitors with Ata Mariota promoted to start at prop and Matt Frawley coming into the lock role in cover for Corey Horsburgh after his Origin call-up. Nick Cotric moves to 18th man with Emre Guler moving back to the bench. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Paul Turner
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Jayden Sullivan
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
    Prop for Raiders is number 13 Ata Mariota
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ben Murdoch-Masila
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 22 Billy Burns
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
    Lock for Raiders is number 18 Matt Frawley

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Moses Mbye
    Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Emre Guler
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Trey Mooney
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Dan Russell
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Peter Hola

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 19 Ryan Couchman
    Replacement for Raiders is number 16 Nick Cotric

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Dragons have lost their past nine games without Ben Hunt.
  • The Raiders have won six of their past eight games against the Dragons.
  • Raiders winger Albert Hopoate has scored six tries in his past seven games.
  • The Dragons have conceded 100 points in their past two games.
  • Raiders prop Joseph Tapine is averaging 66.6 post-contact metres per game this year, a stat bettered by only Payne Haas and Brian To'o. 
  • The Dragons have held an opponent to under 20 points just three times this season and haven't done so since Round 10. 

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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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.