Sharks v Raiders: Graham in for SJ; mass Canberra changes
The Sharks have one match to prepare for a sudden-death finals match without star playmaker Shaun Johnson.
That chance comes on Saturday against the Raiders at Netstrata Jubilee Saturday. Johnson is facing an extend stint on the sidelines with a ruptured achilles tendon.
While the Sharks need to sort out what they want to do with regards to their halves, the Raiders need to win to be a chance of securing a top-four finish.
If the Raiders aren't able to secure a double chance, they are likely to end up playing the Sharks again in the first week of the finals.
Match: Sharks v Raiders
Round 20 -
home Team
Sharks
8th Position
away Team
Raiders
5th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Sharks: A number of changes were announced 24 hours before the game with Toby Rudolf and Siosifa Talakai out of the side, replaced by Teig Wilton and Scott Sorensen, while Billy Magoullias was added to the bench.
There were three more changes on game day with Bryson Goodwin replacing Jesse Ramien at centre, Braydon Trindall replacing Blayke Brailey at hooker, and Daneil Vasquez joining the bench.
Wade Graham has swapped to the halves with Shaun Johnson injured. Nene Macdonald has replaced Sione Katoa (leg) on the wing while Mawene Hiroti will replace Josh Dugan (knee) at centre.
The Sharks have lost all seven games against top-eight opposition in 2020.
Raiders: Mass restings. Adam Cook has replaced Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback. Harley Smith-Shields and Matt Timoko will form a new centre pairing with Jarrod Croker and Jordan Rapana out. Matt Frawley and Sam Williams will make up a new halves pairing with Jack Wighton and George Williams rested.
John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead are out with Hudson Young and Corey Harawira-Naera the new back-row pairing. Josh Papalii and Joe Tapine are also rested with Sia Soliola returning from a facial fracture at prop, Siliva Havili at lock and Tom Starling starting at hooker.
Kai O'Donnell and debutants Darby Medlyn and Jarrett Subloo are the new names on the bench.
Wighton and Whitehead were the first two names to drop off the extended reserves list 24 hours before kick-off and Ata Mariota and Joseph Tapine dropped out on game day. The Raiders play their first game at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium since 2016.
Match: Sharks v Raiders
Round 20 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Raiders is number 1 Adam Cook
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Nene MacdonaldWinger for Raiders is number 2 Semi Valemei
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene HirotiCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Sharks is number 20 Bryson GoodwinCentre for Raiders is number 4 Harley Smith-Shields
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Wade GrahamFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt Frawley
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Connor TraceyHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Sam Williams
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-UeleProp for Raiders is number 8 Dunamis Lui
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 19 Braydon TrindallHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron WoodsProp for Raiders is number 10 Iosia Soliola
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 17 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera
-
Lock for Sharks is number 14 Scott SorensenLock for Raiders is number 13 Siliva Havili
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Kai O'Donnell
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Andrew FifitaInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Ryan Sutton
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Billy MagouliasInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Darby Medlyn
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 21 Daniel VasquezInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Jarrett Subloo
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Blayke Brailey v Siliva Havili. Contrasting styles, but both men are important to their team's chances. Brailey is sure to be tested by the big Raiders forwards in the middle of the field while Havili needs to add crisp service out of dummy-half to his aggressive style.
Stat attack
The Sharks have missed more tackles than any team over the opening 19 rounds - 673 at an average of 35 per match. If that doesn't improve, the Raiders will be feeling very good about their chances.
