Drew, Thompson Back in the Mix for
Big Clash

Fone Zone Canberra Raiders Coach, Matthew Elliott, has named a preliminary twenty-man squad for the Raiders blockbuster clash with defending Premiers Penrith this Friday night at Canberra Stadium.

Half Brad Drew and prop Troy Thompson have been added to the Raiders squad which defeated St.George-Illawarra 21-12 at Oki Jubilee Stadium last Sunday.

Drew missed the Raiders Round 1 encounter with a bruised sternum, and will be given until Thursday to prove his fitness for Friday night’s match.

Jarred Lawrence is again on stand-by for Drew after a solid performance against the Dragons last weekend.

Troy Thompson also returns to the Raiders bench after a stint on the sidelines with an injured knee. Thompson is on stand-by for lock Terry Martin, who strained a hip flexor during Sunday’s match.

Martin will likewise be given until weeks’ end to prove his fitness, before a decision is made on the final makeup of the Raiders team.

"We’re in a position at this stage of the year to pick our fittest seventeen,” explained Coach Elliott. "At this stage it would be ludicrous of me to pick any players who can’t offer a full physical commitment against such quality opposition," he said.

NRL Rd 2: Fone Zone Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers @ Canberra Stadium, Fri 19 March, Kickoff 7:30pm

Coach: Matthew Elliott

1 Clinton Schifcofske 2 Joel Monaghan 3 Jason Bulgarelli 4 Adam Mogg 5 Michael Robertson 6 Jason Croker 7 Mark McLinden 8 Ryan O'Hara 9 Simon Woolford 10 Luke Davico 11 Ruben Wiki 12 Ian Hindmarsh 13 Terry Martin

14 Tyran Smith 15 Michael Hodgson 16 Ben Cross 17 Brad Drew 18 Jarred Lawrence 19 Troy Thompson 20 Matt Gafa