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Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels Saturday 7:35pm at GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Slow starters look to continue momentum in Canberra

The Canberra Raiders will be out to continue their resurgence on Saturday evening when they host the Parramatta Eels at GIO Stadium.

Putting aside a slow start to the season with a wave of momentum culminating in four straight victories, the Canberra Raiders will face their toughest test carrying the weight of favouritism on Saturday evening.

Holding off the Bulldogs 34-30 in the opening match of Magic Round last Friday, coach Ricky Stuart will be challenging his players to adopt a greater defensive resolve after conceding 30 points in their past two matches. 

Winning 12 out of 15 matches played in Canberra against the Eels over the past two decades, Albert Hopoate returns to the starting side with Xavier Savage dropping to 18th man.

Counting the scars of a costly Magic Round on the scoreboard and injury front, the Parramatta Eels will be hoping for a reversal of fortune following their worst start to a season in five years.

Going down to the Titans 26-24 in the final match of Magic Round, halfback Mitchell Moses will miss the trip to Canberra after sustaining a category one concussion in the closing stages last Sunday evening.

Replacement playmaker Jakob Arthur will make his first appearance of the season in the number seven jersey, while Ryan Matterson will make his 150th appearance in first grade off the bench. 

Holding a poor overall record in the nation's capital, including two wins from seven appearances during Arthur's tenure, the Eels have defied the record books in recent seasons with wins in their past two visits to the ACT.

Last meeting: Finals Week 2 2022 - Eels 40 Raiders 4

Who to watch: Emerging as a bolter for the Maroons ahead of the opening State of Origin fixture in three weeks time, Corey Horsburgh will be putting his club first on Saturday evening. Beginning the year off the bench before making the most of an opportunity in the starting side coinciding with the side's recent run of wins, the 25-year-old firebrand has produced stellar numbers with close to 200 running metres in each of his past two appearances. Endearing himself to supporters across the league for his unfiltered display of passion against the Eels three years ago, Horsburgh will be vitally important if the Raiders are to go five-in-a-row.

Set to make his first appearance in the top grade since a late cameo in last year's grand final, replacement halfback Jakob Arthur will be looking to silence his critics on Saturday evening. Producing 11 try-assists and averaging 117 running metres in ten reserve grade matches this season, the 20-year-old has been unfairly maligned during his time in the top grade previously. Returning to the pressure cooker of the NRL after honing his craft as a halfback in reserve grade, look for Arthur to give a good account of himself in the nation's capital.

Favourite: The in-form Raiders are favoured to claim five straight victories for only the fourth time during Ricky Stuart's tenure at the club.

My tip: On paper a team in good form playing at home against an inconsistent team missing their main playmaker should be an open-and-shut case. The Raiders should get the job done if they are the real deal. Raiders by 9. 

1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 18. Xavier Savage

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Andrew Davey 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Brendan Hands 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Ofahiki Ogden

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, David Munro; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;