Raiders v Dragons preview

Canberra Raiders v St. George Illawarra Dragons
GIO Stadium - Saturday 5:30pm

We travel down to the nation's capital on Saturday afternoon where the Canberra Raiders take on the St George Illawarra Dragons. The Dragons famously ended their 14 year hoodoo in Round 23 last year with a 34-16 win, but before that it was strictly a Canberra affair.

The Raiders have a few changes. Jack Wighton is out with a facial injury and is replaced by Winger Jordan Rapana. Edrick Lee shifts from the centre's out to the wing, Jarrad Kennedy moves from the back row to the centres.

Canberra lost 18-6 last week at home against the Warriors in a dour affair. The Raiders were very flat in attack although their Defence was solid against a Warriors team that is very unpredictable. They will be hoping to have more luck against the Dragons side who they have amazing record against. Having won 9 of their last 10 against them.

The loss of Jack Wighton is a big blow for the home side who will have to rely more on rookie half Mitch Cornish and the athletic Edrick Lee to find some points.

The Dragons looked in a total mess in their 22-4 loss to the Wests Tigers on Monday night. They only completed 66% of their sets including just 7/13 in the first half. Their outside defence looked flimsy and uncertain. Coach Paul McGregor was very frustrated with their first half performnace and noted that an improved effort was needed if the Dragons are to get victory against Canberra.

The Dragons only have the one change from last week with George Rose starting at prop and Rory O'brien relegated to the bench. However Josh Dugan may make a surprise comeback which would be a huge boost to the ailing Dragons.

Last meeting: Round 23 2014 - Canberra Raiders 16 St. George Illawarra Dragons 34

Who to watch: Josh Papalii. Papalii is one of the most damaging ball runners in the game. His running lanes and abiliuty to offload under pressure is very valuable to the Raiders. Coach Ricky Stuart will want him firing at his best on Saturday. If Canberra can get him running at the Dragons little men (IE Benji Marshall) then it could spell trouble for the Red V. Papalii has 16 tries in 82 first grade games, not a bad strike for a second row forward. Papalii and co will be hoping to rediscover the 2012 form he had where he bagged 7 tries and get the Raiders back in the winning circle.

With the Dragons assuming Josh Dugan doesn't play then their attacking impetus will rely on their halves and on Gareth Widdop. The Dragons halves play has been pretty poor to start the season. A huge improvement is needed and fast.

Widdop needs to take the game by the scruff of the neck and take on the line like he did in 2014 with the Dragons. His running game is incredibly dangerous and hard to defend against. If he gets the running game going then things will improve almost immediately. Look for his combination with backrower Tyson Frizzell who had a fruitful year last year running off Widdop's left hip. Surely things can't get much worse for the Dragons and Widdop needs to be the man to turn things around.

The favourite: The Raiders will start as favourites, considering the Dragons early season form.

My tip: Canberra were bad last week at home but the Dragons were even worse, not sure they can get any lower than that. Don't think this will be a game to show the grandkids in 40 years but it's an important game none the less. Just can't see the Raiders scoring too many points without gun Fullback Jack Wighton. Both sides want the win badly and i'm going to say that the Dragons will sneak home by 4 in an ugly affair.

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Jarrad Kennedy 5. Edrick Lee 6. Blake Austin 7. Mitchell Cornish 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dane Tilse 11. Josh Papalii 12. Iosia Soliola 13. Shaun Fensom
14. Josh McCrone 15. Frank Paul Nuuausala 16. Paul Vaughan 17. Luke Bateman

1. Peter Mata'utia 2. Eto Nabuli 3. Dane Nielsen 4. Dylan Farrell 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Benji Marshall 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Mitch Rein 10. George Rose 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin
14. Trent Merrin 15. Heath L'Estrange 16. Rory O'Brien 17. Mike Cooper 19. Jake Marketo

Referees: Jared Maxwell, Gavin Morris; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea;

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