Round 21: Warriors v Raiders preview
These two clubs... the real deal?
Despite the short turnaround for the Warriors, this game has all the hallmarks of an absolute CRACKER. The 'Wahs' are in fine form, having won five of their last six - a run which included a win over the Raiders at GIO. Canberra. The Raiders are the same - five of their last six and the only loss was indeed at home to the Warriors.
That game in early June was a big one - Jarrod Croker's much-celebrated 300th game, but the visiting side that day ruined the party with a comfortable 36-14 victory.
As a whole, the Warriors' form is something special. They obliterated Cronulla at home on Sunday and veteran half Shaun Johnson shone once again, proving why he is justifiably leading our LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year Standings with seven rounds remaining. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was elite, scoring a brace. The week before, they duly ran up a score against (an albeit weakened) Parramatta - away from home no less - and save for a 28-6 loss to Souths, also topped 40+ in flogging the Dragons just one month ago.
Canberra... well, they're similarly looking good, at least on the ladder. Some of their form though? Questionable. In defeating the Dragons in Wollongong a fortnight ago, they nearly gave up a 30-10 lead in the second half, allowing the Red V to surge back to a final score of 36-26 - at one point that margin as close as four points.
In the fortnight prior, the Green Machine picked up narrow wins over two teams who are currently on struggle street - 26-22 over Gold Coast and 20-18 over Sydney. It paints a bleak picture for the men from the capital if they're stuck in a contest with an electric Warriors outfit, should that form continue.
Both teams are set to welcome back some big names in the forwards. The Warriors have Marata Niukore back following a multi-week suspension, along with Bunty Afoa who was stood down under concussion protocols. Ale and Barnett are benched with Curran dropping to reserves and Bayley Sironen out completely.
Canberra have retired rep forward Josh Papali'i back on deck at prop, as well as Queensland rep Corey Horsburgh in the back row, as well as Pasami Saulo on the bench. Ata Mariota drops to the bench, Frawley and Mooney the reserves and Peter Hola is out of the 22 altogether.
Last meeting: Round 15 2023 - Raiders 14 Warriors 36
Who to watch: The aforementioned Shaun Johnson is having an absolutely superb season, 18 months into his return to his homeland club. The 32-year-old played his 200th game for the club in last Sunday's victory over Cronulla, and is also celebrating the birth of their second child, Sachi, on Friday. The spearhead of Andrew Webster's revolution at Mt Smart, Johnson's continued top-drawer efforts heading into September could be the key to unlocking - dare I say it - a maiden Warriors title.
Things are a bit different for the bloke wearing the famous Canberra #6. Jack Wighton is already signed and sealed for the South Sydney Rabbitohs next season, but as a professional footballer, that shouldn't stop him being an important part of the Raiders' charge to September. In spite of their patchy form, the Green Machine are picking up wins left, right, centre and ugly to ensure they sit among the top four contenders and it's players like Wighton and halves partner Fogarty who'll be charged with delivering on the promise this team has been offering for several seasons now.
Favourite: At home and in special form, the Warriors are well-backed to get the dub in front of a rowdy home crowd.
My tip: Based on form lines and how their last clash played out, the boys from across the ditch just look too irresisitble not to tip. I'm backing the Warriors by 10.
