Knights v Raiders preview

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Can Browns babes finally break their duck? Or will the Green Machine march through the Hunter for another 2 points?

Now this could get interesting. Two young sides that have attacking players converge in Newcastle on Saturday evening which is shaping as a very important match for both sides, but particularly the Newcastle Knights who were very poor against a red hot Souths side last week. Nathan Brown has shown that he is not scared to ring the changes and his young side will have learned a lot in the first two weeks of the season.

This will be a tough ask against a Canberra side that flexed their muscles last week with a win against the Sydney Roosters. Ricky Stuart has developed a side tat looks capable of challenging for major honours this year. A young exciting backline along with some no frills forwards who love to get their hands dirty and get involved in the middle of the field bodes well for the Raiders. This is a danger game for them in the sense that it's a match they should win and need to win to gather momentum. Let's see if this Raiders side has learned from their mistakes of 2015.

Last meeting: Round 18 2015 - Raiders 36 Knights 22

Canberra have won 4 of the past 5 against the Knights showing their dominance over the Novacastrians. That said, Canberra have won only 8 of 21 matches at Hunter Stadium which makes happy reading for the Knights fans.

Who to watch: Jaelen Feeney has had a tumultuous start to his Knights career at fullback, but there's no doubting that he is an incredible talent. He was brilliant in NSW Cup last season for the Knights and is a confidence player who is probably just a little flat at the moment. Feeney has a great turn of pace and although not as capable in the air with the high ball as other Fullbacks in the NRL , his support play and evasiveness are his strong suits. Watch Feeney's confidence grow as he gets used to the speed of the NRL, look for him to cause problems on his kick returns.

For the Raiders, Jarrod Croker is a dual threat for the Raiders and is the Raider most lethal attacking weapon. He has a beautiful step as well as displaying good speed. Watch for him to get space on the edge for the visitors as this is when he is at his most dangerous. His goal kicking is an added bonus that the game may be decided on come Saturday.

The favourite: Canberra short priced favourites due to their form and the Knights winless start to the season.

My tip: Tipping for the upset here, the Knights need to turn the corner and the fact that they are at home gives them the best chance to win. Canberra were good last week but had lapses in concentration which if that happens again will open the door for the Knights. Should be a cracking game with lots of points scored. 

3. Dane Gagai 2. Nathan Ross 15. Sione Mata'utia 4. Pat Mata'utia 19. Cory Denniss 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Sam Mataora 14. Danny Levi 10. Korbin Sims 11. Jacob Saifiti 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 9. Tyler Randell 16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 18. Pauli Pauli 20. Mickey Paea

1. Jack Wighton 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Brenko Lee 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Lachlan Croker 7. Sam Williams 8. Shannon Boyd 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Frank Paul Nuuausala 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Iosia Soliola 16. Paul Vaughan 17. Jeff Lima

Referees: Ashley Klein, Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Adam Reid, Rohan Best; Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea, Bernard Sutton;