Round 5: Raiders v Eels preview
Andy runs the rule over this weekend's game between the Canberra Raiders and the Parramatta Eels.
Raiders and Eels ready to scrap for a win
The Canberra Raiders play host to the Parramatta Eels to close out round five of the premiership. With both teams coming off contrasting losses, there will be an element of desperation as both teams will be looking to show they can get back on track.
After two defeats in a row, Canberra will welcome a home game to get their bearings back. A questionable performance last round saw them give up an 18-0 lead against Cronulla to go down 36-22 at PointsBet Stadium.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was filthy on his team's performance last round and was adamant that the efforts put in during the game would be dealt with. With what was perhaps a solid and honest week of training, Stuart has only made one change to the line-up, and even that was because his hand was forced. Zac Hosking will sit this round out due to concussion protocols and will be replaced by Ata Mariota.
Although the Raiders had a three-try lead, they began to lose structure once Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii had a rest on the bench. It would be fair to say Stuart has given his capable forwards a fair rev-up and a chance to make amends.
Jamal Fogarty's kicking game was good for distance but failed to inspire anyone to pressure the Cronulla lines once they started to hit back. Fogarty has shown he has an elite kicking game, and if he finds consistency, we will see the speed of Matthew Timoko come into play, as well as Jordan Rapana's robust style of play.
It can be all too easy for coaches to slash and burn after losses that hurt, so it's a credit to Ricky Stuart that he believes his men will answer for their faults on the field rather than forcing them to fight back into the team from feeder sides.
Although it was a close call for Parramatta, coach Brad Arthurs felt his side failed to take the right mindset into the last round, which saw the Eels lose by one point to the West Tigers. Clinton Gutherson had a late chance with a penalty to edge out the valiant Tigers, but it fell short, much like Arthurs's team's attitude.
The Eels will welcome back Bailey Simonsson into the centres relegating Morgan Harper to the reserves. J'maine Hopgood will slip into the lock position with Kelma Tuilagi starting from their bench. Bryce Cartwright will still be out for another week, nursing a rib injury.
Arthurs has stuck with Blaize Talagi in the halves combo with Dylan Brown. Arthurs is looking for the young player to take much out of the loss to Wests and hopefully use the speed we know he is capable of to run amok in the middle and get the Raiders forward doubting his moves.
Last meeting: Round 11 2023 - Raiders 26 Eels 18
Who to watch: Ricky Stuart was forward is saying no one from his team last round deserved any praise, so the onus is on some key players to stoke the Raiders engine on Sunday to get them moving. The front-row combo of Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii makes a dent in any opposing team. And even though Stuart was lacking praise, Tapine was a stand-out for the team and, as a captain, will be leading from the front again. Jamal Fogarty knows his boot will get his team where they need to pressure and score points. Watch for Fogarty to get his team the ground they require. The speed of people like Timoko and Xavier Savage should do the rest.
Not making the most of their opportunities last round, it will be vital that Dylan Brown takes a leadership role in the middle; he's capable, and now will be his time to shine. Clinton Gutherson can be a problem and will be keen not to have back-to-back losses on his watch. The Eels' left edge might find some fruitful exchanges, with Shaun Lane and Maika Sivo teaming up against James Schiller and Matthew Timoko.
Favourite: There's not much to this, but the Raiders are currently a better bet with a home game and are in no mood for a third loss in a row.
My tip: The Raiders will turn around last week's poor effort to bring the house down for the Raiders faithful. Although bristling with talent the Eels are still missing the Moses factor. Blaize Talagi does have talent, but with him finding his feet with Brown, it may be close but down to the wire. Raiders by 2 in a hard-fought battle.
