A chance to break free of the congestion.
Canberra and Cronulla are equal on 16 points with Newcastle in a wrestle for a spot for the top four. The Sharks have the poorer for and against so it's about getting the wins.
The Raiders and Sharks have both strung together two wins on the trot and it's sure to produce a cracking contest to kick off round 14.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 14 -
home Team
Raiders
4th Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
The Rundown
Team news
Raiders: Ryan Sutton starts with Dunamis Lui dropping back to the bench. Sam Williams and Royce Hunt drop off the reserves list. Michael Oldfield and Sebastian Kris dropped off the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off.
Sharks: Shaun Johnson is a late inclusion in place of Kyle Flanagan, with Aaron Gray dropping off the reserves list. Scott Sorensen and Billy Margoulias were trimmed from the extended bench on Wednesday.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Round 14 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Sharks is number 1 Matt Moylan
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sosaia Feki
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerCentre for Sharks is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Nick CotricCentre for Sharks is number 4 Josh Morris
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Sharks is number 5 Josh Dugan
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 21 Shaun Johnson
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Aidan SezerHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Sharks is number 8 Andrew Fifita
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Siliva HaviliHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Raiders is number 17 Ryan SuttonProp for Sharks is number 10 Matt Prior
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Kurt Capewell
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Joseph TapineLock for Sharks is number 13 Paul Gallen
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis LuiInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Wade Graham
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Jayson Bukuya
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Iosia SoliolaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Fullbacks Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Matt Moylan can light up a game at any moment and have the ability to break a deadlock. Watch for the rival No.1s to set this one alight. The Raiders custodian is a massive metre-maker and is everywhere on the park, while Moylan floats around and injects himself when he sees a chance. He has quickly found his feet in two games back from a hamstring injury. They could be the ones to decide this match.
For the Raiders to win
Defence has been where it's at for Canberra. Three clean sheets this season, the latest last week as they ran riot over Wests Tigers. They are stacked with creative players in the backline and big men and have proven they can score points. But they're dominating games with their defence and against a quality opposition that could be key.
For the Sharks to win
It's about finding a way around that resolute defence. The Sharks lead the competition in offloads, Andrew Fifita (40) with the NRL's most. Using that to the fullest will make the Raiders work overtime and may force defensive lapses.
Brett Kimmorley says
Two of the game's best edge forwards are in action here. Wade Graham's return was massive for the Sharks last week, and I think Bronson Xerri is going to be the biggest benefactor of Graham being back in the team, while for Canberra John Bateman has probably been the buy of the season. The Raiders have started the season as the second-best defensive team in the competition which is why they're at the right end of the ladder, but this will be one of their biggest tests. Sharks by 4.
Stat Attack
Results have followed a bit of a pattern since 2010. Canberra won two, then Cronulla won two, all the way through to the start of 2016. Then in August of that year, Cronulla lost one, then won two, lost won, then won two. If that pattern continues, Canberra are due for a win.
And another thing ...
Early talk was there were only about three genuine contenders for this year's title, but a few others clubs are starting to put form together, get some wins and show what they can do on their day. These two clubs are among those sides and if recent performances are reproduced, it could decided by just a boot.
