Round 21: Raiders v Roosters preview
September comes one month early as competition heavyweights battle it out for a top-two spot
This time last year, the Raiders stunned the table-topping Roosters to throw the competition into disarray.
The 14-12 win was a shock that left some doubting if the Tricolours were standout premiership frontrunners.
But already out of finals contention, the victory had little bearing on Canberra's season.
Or so you would think. The week after they would do the same to the Rabbitohs.
The late-season scalps were built on something few had seen before from Ricky Stuart's men.
A steely quality that had long been missing from a side that had so often failed to stand up in the big moments.
Perhaps those two wins paved the way for this year's success?
While the Raiders' resurgence has largely been earned without the ball in hand, they showed in their 46-12 drubbing of the Warriors last week that they can turn it on in attack when they need to.
And the best is yet to come. Nick Cotric returns this week from suspension while Joey Leilua is a chance of finally making his return from a neck injury.
Canberra will certainly be hardened for finals footy after the next month, where they play the Roosters, Storm, Sea Eagles and Sharks.
This week's clash is particularly important as the Roosters are arguably the biggest threat to a top-two spot.
Trent Robinson's men weren't even at their absolute best last week when they demolished the Titans 58-6.
Fullback James Tedesco ran riot in the win, finishing with well over 200 running metres, two tries, two try-assists and eight tackle busts.
And Raiders fans will have bad memories of the last time their side tried to diffuse ‘Teddy'. The Roosters number one starred, scoring a try and setting up three in the 30-24 win.
They also welcome barnstorming prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back from suspension this week.
Last meeting: Round 9 2019 - Roosters 30 Raiders 24
The Roosters held off a fast-finishing Raiders side 30-24 in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
Who to watch: The battle of the number nines shapes as an interesting one. Josh Hodgson has quickly made a name for himself as one of the competition's premier rakes. The 29-year old offers plenty in attack - with a deceptive running game, accurate service from dummy-half and an extra option to help with kicking duties. This week he comes up against rookie Sam Verrills. The six-gamer has been forced to play eighty minutes in the past fortnight deputising for Jake Friend and is growing with confidence. While his focus this week will be on shutting down a rampaging Canberra pack, last week Verrils was more comfortable backing himself and will only get better with time.
The favourite: The Roosters are slight favourites with the bookies.
My tip: It is nearly impossible to split the two but you feel like winning this game will mean more to the home side. Raiders by 6.
