Round 2: Raiders v Wests Tigers preview
Andy looks at the upcoming battle between the Canberra Raiders and the Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers take their first swipe of the season at the Canberra Raiders
The Raiders are coming off a convincing round 1 win and will be hosting Benji Marshalls' Wests Tigers, which are playing their first game of the premiership season.
With only a Preseason Challenge performance to go on, Benji Marshall will hope the team's off-field work over the preseason will be enough to make it a competitive start to the year. Along with a new coach, plenty of new faces will make their premiership debut for the Tigers. Marshall has called on teen star Lachlan Galvin to step into the number 6, pairing up with new halfback Jayden Sullivan.
With off-field administration and player problems being widely covered, the double wooden spooners' first game for the season will be a chance to give fans fresh hope for the 2024 campaign. Benji believes his squad consists of the boys who have worked the hardest to earn their positions. Justin Olam will have to wait for his premiership debut after a knee injury from last year flared up during the last pre-season game. The gun Papua Guinea international and former Melbourne Storm centre is set to return, fighting fit in round 3.
Canberra showed a classic gritty performance for their start to the 2024 season, coming up trumps 24-18 against the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium. Ricky Stuart was quick to point out the work done by what he believes is his uncredited forward pack. The forwards paved the way for Jamal Fogarty's kicking game to dominate in the round 1 clash. The high completion rate of Fogarty's foot soldiers gave his kicking game a chance to breathe, racking up over 800 kicking meters.
Although key forwards Corey Horsburgh and Elliott Whitehead were out through suspension and injury, The Raiders' round-one pack shone. Raiders new face Zac Hosking had a day out round 1, joining fellow back-rowers Emre Guler and Hudson Young to produce a slick try for Young in the 79th minute. The Raiders are showing that they have a depth of solid forwards ready to take it to the opposition this season.
The Canberra Raider's back line will have some extra punch with Sebastian Kris returning from a five-game suspension. Ricky Stuart has also talked up Ethan Strange in five-eight, who he believes has plenty more for us to see as a halves combination with Jamal Fogarty
Last meeting: Round 23 2023 - Raiders 22 Wests Tigers 18
Who to watch: Jordan Rapana has a healthy appetite for finishing off tries, and he loves to go for extra servings when playing against the Wests Tigers, scoring 15 tries in the last 13 clashes between the two teams. Look for Rapana to eat up run meters as well as lead line breaks.
The Raiders forward pack didn't let their fans and coaching staff down in round 1, and the lineup for Saturday afternoon's games is looking dangerous. Zac Hosking seemed to find his feet with the team in round 1, and with the same men shoulder to shoulder with him, look for another solid performance. If that happens, Jamal Fogarty will be ready to dominate with his kicking game and pepper the Tigers' defence with his speedy outside backs.
Wests have proven that although wood spooners for the last two years, they can still cause an upset. And if there is one member of the Wests Tigers who can boost morale and rally troops, it's Jahream Bula. If the Tigers earn the right to move the ball around through hard work in the middle, watch for Bula to expose a gap from a lazy opposition forward. With fresh faces in the Tiger's back line, regardless, it will be interesting to watch if they will be able to gel and find positives to build on for the season.
Favourite: The numbers don't lie, and they make an easy case for the Raiders to be favourites to win against the Wests Tigers team, who will be desperate not to place a third wooden spoon in the trophy cabinet.
My tip: Class and grit got the Raiders a first-up win, and a mountain of confidence going against a Tigers side coming out of the ashes of an organisational firestorm may prove too much. I'm always hoping for a competition, nonetheless, but the Viking Clap will be strong this weekend. Raiders win.
