Match Centre

Round 1: Raiders v Sharks preview

Rejuvenated rivals eye better days in 2022

Much was promised - yet little delivered - for the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks in 2021.

Fast-forward to a new season and the two sides are primed to bounce back into finals contention if pre-season performances are indicative of things to come.

Falling one win short of the top eight during a tumultuous campaign last season, the Canberra Raiders have been dealt a major blow on the eve of the opening round with key off-season signing Jamal Fogarty sustaining a knee injury expected to sideline the halfback for four months.

Responding to the setback by elevating Brad Schneider to the number seven jersey ahead of more experienced options, coach Ricky Stuart will be hoping the rookie playmaker can maintain the pre-season form which saw the side defeat an understrength Sydney (32-18) and fight back from a healthy deficit to surprise Manly (18-16).

Handing Adam Elliott a club debut while welcoming back local junior Nick Cotric in the backline, one of the biggest selection shocks of the weekend sees James Schiller named to make his first grade debut ahead of captain Jarrod Croker in the centres. 

In addition to being the side's first appearance at GIO Stadium since Round 16 last year, Friday night will mark Jack Wighton's 200th NRL appearance for the club.

Dominating Cronulla in recent times with six straight wins dating back to 2019, the Raiders have performed solidly in opening round fixtures during Stuart's tenure with five wins over the past eight seasons. Coming off a ninth-placed finish in a year where a side could qualify for the finals with more losses than wins, the Cronulla Sharks will be hoping the arrival of coach Craig Fitzgibbon heralds the start of a successful new era for the men from the Shire.

Producing a poor first-up effort against Penrith (6-34) before bouncing back with a much stronger squad opposite Canterbury-Bankstown (30-12), Fitzgibbon has opted to name Matt Moylan in the halves alongside marquee recruit Nicho Hynes, despite the former representative star sitting out both trial matches. Other notable selections include Ronaldo Mulitalo moving to centre with former Rooster Matt Ikuvalu coming onto the wing, while Andrew Fifita will play his first NRL match after suffering a serious throat injury late last season.

Holding one of the poorest opening round records since 2010 with just two wins during that time, the Sharks last started a season with a win away from home in 2008.

Friday evening marks the third time the Raiders and Sharks have clashed in the opening round of the season; the Raiders triumphed on both occasions in 2011 and 2015. 

Last meeting: Round 18 2021 - Raiders 34 Sharks 18

Who to watch: Handed the task of guiding the Raiders around the field with little more than 10 minutes of NRL action to his name, rookie playmaker Brad Schneider will be out to make the most of his unexpected opportunity in the top grade. Coming into the side after key off-season signing Jamal Fogarty suffered a long-term knee injury in the trial win over Manly, the 21-year-old will be out to back up his strong pre-season form in the season proper. Beating out Sam Williams and Matt Frawley for the first shot at the number seven jersey, look for Schneider to offer a new point of attack as the Raiders chase a club record four consecutive Round 1 wins. 

Touted as a future representative player following a breakout campaign four years ago, Cronulla supporters will be hoping 2022 is the year talented centre Jesse Ramien delivers on his potential. Capable of dazzling opposition players with footwork and speed at his best, the 24-year-old has managed 13 tries and line-breaks in his two seasons since returning from a misplaced year with Newcastle, leading pundits to temper their expectations with the passage of time. Contracted to the club until the end of next season, expect Ramien to come out with renewed focus as the Sharks eye back-to-back Round 1 wins for the first time in over a decade.

The favourite: With key players missing through injury and suspension for both sides, the bookmakers have responded by announcing joint $1.90 favourites.

My tip: Friday night shapes as arguably the hardest fixture to pick of the opening round. With the Raiders preparing all off-season for a game plan predicated upon Jamal Fogarty at halfback, the sudden upheaval may give the more settled Sharks the edge needed to clinch victory. Sharks by 6.