Raiders name squad to take on the
Eels

They share more in common than a surname, with Canberra veteran Jason Smith and Parramatta rookie Tim Smith set to play key roles in Sunday?s crucial clash between the Raiders and Eels at Canberra Stadium.

Despite their 13-year age gap, Jason Smith, 33, and Tim Smith, 20, have both been sensations for their respective teams in 2005.

Having agreed to a new one-year deal with the Raiders this week, Jason Smith will play his first game against the Eels since leaving Parramatta for England at the end of the 2000 season.

Raiders coach Matt Elliott anticipated spectators would be looking forward to the halves battle between Jason and Tim Smith.

?There?s obviously some similarities, but I think they both play very different styles. Tim Smith likes the long ball, whereas Jason tends to like the short ball and slows the game down around him,? Elliott said.

?I?d like to think our kicking game this weekend can be as good as Tim Smith?s has been over the last few weeks. His kicking and passing games have been outstanding and he?s given them a lot of additional direction this season.?

Not only will Jason Smith have a rookie sensation opposite him on Sunday, he?ll have a teenager beside him in the Raiders halves.

Junior Kangaroos representative Todd Carney, 19, will start at halfback as the Raiders cover the suspension of skipper Simon Woolford. Regular halfback Lincoln Withers will shift to hooker.

Carney is one of four additions to the Raiders team, with Phil Graham (ribs), Craig Frawley (ankle) and Alan Tongue (thumb) all set to return from injury.

Carney, who has played seven NRL games, last met Tim Smith in the 2004 Premier League finals.

?Tim?s playing pretty good football at the moment,? Carney said. ?My big focus is on helping to get the team around the park and getting my kicking game right. I?ve spoken to Matty Elliott and he wants me coming into the side full of confidence and talk.?

Elliott said Carney, an exciting prospect, had worked hard for an NRL recall.

?Physically, Todd?s in the best condition since he?s been here. He?s worked really hard, he?s done a lot of extra work over the last 6-8 weeks, so we?re really looking for him to step up now - it?s time.?

Elliott has not forgotten the other man in the halves battle this weekend. ?John Morris has tended to be overlooked in all this, but I think his form this season has warranted a lot more attention,? Elliott said.

1. CLINTON SCHIFCOFSKE 2. PHIL GRAHAM 3. DAVID HOWELL 4. ADAM MOGG 5. CRAIG FRAWLEY 6. JASON SMITH 7. TODD CARNEY 8. JOSH MILLER 9. LINCOLN WITHERS 10. TROY THOMPSON 11. TYRAN SMITH 12. IAN HINDMARSH 13. JASON CROKER

INTERCHANGE 14. ALAN TONGUE 15. BEN CROSS 16. MICHAEL HODGSON 17. MATT GAFA 18. MICHAEL ROBERTSON