Raiders v Roosters preview

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Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters Thursday 7:50pm at BB Print Stadium, South Mackay / Yuwibara

So, it's the final round of the most bizarre of NRL seasons. I can hear the circus music from down here in Melbourne. The Canberra Raiders host the Sydney Roosters at BB Print Stadium in Mackay this Thursday Night.

Firstly - let's talk finals scenarios. This one is massive for the Raiders. They're currently on 22 points, along with Cronulla who are currently 8th, but points differential means they'll need to win (or draw) and Cronulla will need to lose to the Storm. The Gold Coast Titans are also waiting in the wings on 20 points if the Raiders lose and Cronulla get a towelling.

For Easts, they're gunning for an unlikely spot in the top four. Currently sixth and level on points with Manly (4th) and Parramatta (5th), the Roosters would need to win and hope both the Eels (v Penrith) and Sea Eagles (v Cowboys) lose, as their points differential is inferior to both.

The Raiders come into this clash on the back of a morale boosting comeback from 16-0 down against the Warriors, running out 28-16 and keeping their season alive, after dropping their prior two games. The Roosters, well, not sure if you knew that they played South Sydney last week, there wasn't much news surrounding that game. Not much really happened. For those playing at home, it was 54-12 to Souths, and essentially the Roosters got punished for telling the truth about the failure of a video referee to do the very basics of their job, the on field referee for losing all control of the match and for coach Trent Robinson telling the truth. I love the NRL sometimes (sigh).

In team news, the Raiders stay solid with just two changes (a concept very foreign to this Bulldogs fan). So - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, one of my favourite names in the NRL, starts at fullback and Sia Soliola comes back into the side at lock. Bailey Simonsson is out with a groin injury and Ryan Sutton moves to the bench.

For the Roosters, they have players returning to the side at just the right time. Josh Morris, Adam Keighran and Matt Ikuvalu return to the backline, Lachlan Lam takes over at halfback and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is back in the front row. Joseph Manu is out, in case you didn't know and we still have people in the media defending the player that took him out. #circusmusic

Last time they met was in Round 12 this year, with Easts running out 44-16 winners on the Central Coast, with doubles to Sitili Tupouniua and Joseph Manu in a match that was in the balance before a second half blitz from Easts put the Raiders to bed.

Last meeting: Round 12 2021 - Roosters 44 Raiders 16

Who to watch: For the Raiders, coach Ricky Stuart came up with this gem on Tuesday on 4BC Radio "I need us to play to our maximum effort.". Well with that revelation it really makes you wonder what they've been dishing up prior to this. So I'm looking forward to seeing this maximum effort.

For the Roosters, well let's just see if they can get through 80 minutes without more injuries and more questionable rulings from the officials. Not much to ask, surely.

The favourite: The Roosters have the backing of the punters to win this one.

My tip: Easts to win. Canberra don't deserve to play finals, and they won't.

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Harley Smith-Shields 19. Jordan Rapana 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Semi Valemei 6. Jack Wighton 7. Matt Frawley 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Iosia Soliola 14. Emre Guler 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Siliva Havili 20. Elijah Anderson

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Adam Keighran 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Lachlan Lam 13. Isaac Liu 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 15. Egan Butcher 14. Sam Walker 16. Ben Marschke 17. Tukupa Hau Tapuha 26. Naufahu Whyte 19. Brad Abbey

Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Todd Smith; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;