Raiders v Bulldogs preview

Canberra Raiders v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
GIO Stadium - Sunday 4:00pm

Can the Raiders bounce back against the Origin-depleted Bulldogs?

After experiencing three straight wins, the Raiders were unable to overcome the high-flying Dragons in Wollongong last Sunday. With zero representation in either Origin side, the Raiders will be looking to build upon their recent form against a Canterbury side missing four of their major strike weapons. In recent years the leger between the two sides has been split at three wins apiece, however the Raiders have gone down at home to the Bulldogs in the past two seasons. Despite last week's loss, Ricky Stuart has retained the same squad.

After a promising start to 2015, the Bulldogs have lost their way. Winning once in their past six games, Des Hasler's side will need to lift against the resurgent Raiders if they are to qualify for the finals. Having come into the Origin period in winning form last year, the Bulldogs find themselves in a precarious position, sitting in the 14th position. While the Bulldogs will be without several key players, Tim Lafai will make a timely return in the centres, while Moses Mbye shifts to halfback in the absence of Trent Hodkinson.

Last meeting: Round 15 2014 - Canberra Raiders 14 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 22

Who to watch: After starring for City with a hat-trick of tries, Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin will be out to show Blues coach Laurie Daley he is more than capable of stepping up should Mitchell Pearce and Trent Hodkinson fail to fire next Wednesday. After coming up with five missed tackles last week, Austin will be out to make amends marking up against the likes of Frank Pritchard and Tony Williams. As highlighted against Country, Austin's running game and support play will prove invaluable if Canberra are to come away with a win.

It's no coincidence that in the absence of Brett Morris, the Bulldogs have struggled for spark in attack. While he has played over 200 games in the NRL, Sam Perrett has been at his best on the wing. Whilst still averaging over 130 metres per game, Perrett lacks the speed and ball-playing ability of the elite fullbacks in the competition. At his best Perrett is a prolific try-scorer, if the Bulldogs are to come away with an unlikely victory; he will need to produce a stellar game at the back.

The favourite: With the Bulldogs missing Morris, Hodkinson, Jackson and Klemmer along with their horrible form of late; the Raiders are expected to come away with the win.

My tip: While the Raiders were unable to overcome the Dragons last week, their recent form has been outstanding. Raiders by 18.

1. Jack Wighton 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Sisa Waqa 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Mitchell Cornish 8. Paul Vaughan 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Frank Paul Nuuausala 11. Josh Papalii 12. Iosia Soliola 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Jarrad Kennedy 16. David Shillington 17. Shannon Boyd

1. Sam Perrett 2. Curtis Rona 3. Timoteo Lafai 4. Chase Stanley 5. Corey Thompson 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Frank Pritchard 12. Tony Williams 13. Greg Eastwood
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Tim Browne 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Antonio Kaufusi 19. Danny Fualalo 22. Herman Essese

Referees: Ashley Klein, Henry Perenara; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis, Peter Gough; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Daniel Irvine;

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