Titans v Raiders preview - 2017 Round 6

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2016 finalists look to recapture previous form.

Suffering yet another horrific injury toll in their loss to the Warriors, the Titans will be looking for a change in fortune as they return home on Saturday night. Establishing a healthy lead at the change of ends in New Zealand, the toll of fielding players out of position with limited interchanges available to lessen the burden proved costly, as the side slumped to just one win from their first five matches. Taking on a Raiders outfit far from their best, coach Neil Henry will be hoping the return of Anthony Don and Konrad Hurrell helps to maintain consistency within the squad, allowing the likes of Chris McQueen and Leivaha Pulu to play in their natural positions.

While a record of two wins from the opening five rounds may suggest the Raiders are well below their standards from last year, the preliminary finalists are still very much a threat not to be underestimated. Holding their own in all bar one half of football against the reigning champions, coach Ricky Stuart would be confident about the long-term chances of the side following a solid victory over Parramatta last week. Boosted by the return of Elliot Whitehead from suspension, the nominated side should cause the Titans plenty of headaches, with almost the entirety featuring in previous representative fixtures. Saturday will also mark personal milestones for two Raiders, with blockbusting centre Joey Leilua set to play his 150thd match, while former Newcastle hooker Adam Clydesdale will line up in game 50 after debuting back in 2013 incidentally against Canberra.

Last meeting: Round 16 2016 - Titans 22 Raiders 30

Who to watch: Linking up with the Titans after gaining a release from the Roosters last month, Dale Copley will be hoping his move back to Queensland brings with it a return to the form that saw him touted as a potential Maroon's representative. Making an impressive start to his career on the Gold Coast with a brace of tries against North Queensland, look for the 25-year-old to continue his try-scoring form as he faces off against the Raiders lethal ‘Leipana' combination. Having struggled to cement a place in first grade in recent seasons, keep an eye on Copley to flourish in a Titans outfit brimming with talent.

Making his debut on the Gold Coast back in 2012, Jack Wighton has developed into an integral part of the Raiders backline. Having struggled to secure a position after flirting between the backline and halves early on in his career, the 24-year-old has made the fullback position his own over the past two seasons, corresponding with the sides dramatic improvement under Ricky Stuart. Always lurking in support of an offload, the Country representative will be hoping to finally break into the NSW side after being touted as a future Blue several years ago, while helping the Raiders go one better after their preliminary final exit last year.

The favourite: Pulling off a determined win over Parramatta last week, the Raiders are expected to go back-to-back on Saturday.

My tip: They may be 0-2 in Queensland so far this season, but rest assured the Green Machine will be firing on the holiday strip. Raiders by 18.

19. Tyrone Roberts 2. Anthony Don 3. Dale Copley 4. Konrad Hurrell 1. Tyrone Roberts-Davis 6. Kane Elgey 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 14. Karl Lawton 10. Ryan James 13. Leivaha Pulu 15. Chris Grevsmuhl 16. Max King 5. Daniel Vidot 9. Ryan Simpkins 18. Morgan Boyle 20. Paterika Vaivai

1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 17. Joseph Tapine 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Luke Bateman 16. Clay Priest 13. Iosia Soliola

Referees: Ashley Klein, Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Jason Walsh; Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea;