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Raiders v Dragons: Smithies to start; More changes for injury-hit Dragons
The road trip to the national capital has long been one of the Dragons' most dreaded but Shane Flanagan's men must find a way to reverse the trend on Saturday if they're to keep the finals flame flickering.
The Red V found some of their best form of the season in the first half against the Eels and then defied a heavy injury toll to grip on in a tense second half at WIN Stadium.
Ladder leaders Canberra took their record to 13-3 with a gritty win over the Knights and with two byes still remaining they are well placed to claim their first minor premiership since 1990.
In the only meeting between the sides last season it was the Green Machine overturning a 14-point half-time deficit to prevail 26-24 at Kogarah thanks to a late Corey Horsburgh try.
Match: Raiders v Dragons
Round 18 -
home Team
Raiders
1st Position
away Team
Dragons
11th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team News
Raiders: The Origin call-up for Josh Papalii means Corey Horsburgh slides from lock to prop, Morgan Smithies is promoted from the bench to start in No.13 and Trey Mooney is added to the interchange for his third appearance of the season. Simi Sasagi starts in the second row for the second consecutive week with Hudson Young in camp with the Blues. No changes in the 24-hour update.
Dragons: Hame Sele has been ruled out after straining a calf at training on Thursday. Raymond Faitala-Mariner (back soreness) has also dropped out of the squad. Michael Molo moves to starting second row with Blake Lawrie and Viliami Fifita moving from the reserves to the interchange. Tyrell Sloan is set for his first-grade return as Shane Flanagan navigates an overflowing casualty ward. Sione Finau joins Sloan on the wing, with Corey Allan set to shift to the centres. Nick Tsougranis is 18th man.
Match: Raiders v Dragons
Round 18 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jed StuartWinger for Dragons is number 2 Sione Finau
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Dragons is number 4 Corey Allan
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Dragons is number 5 Tyrell Sloan
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey HorsburghProp for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Dragons is number 10 David Klemmer
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Simi Sasagi2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Michael Molo
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan SmithiesLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen PattieInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Noah MartinInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Loko Pasifiki Tonga
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey MooneyInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Blake Lawrie
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata MariotaInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Viliami Fifita
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Chevy StewartReplacement for Dragons is number 20 Nick Tsougranis
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won their last four games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have not won at GIO Stadium since 2015.
- The Raiders are aiming for seven consecutive wins for the first time in nine years.
- The Dragons have won only two from seven away from home this season
- Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored five tries in his past four games at GIO Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
