Jordan Rapana is confident that the changes to the team this week will bring the side confidence and experience that will turn their form around this Friday night.
Co-captains Jarrod Croker and Elliott Whitehead return to the side along with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who will play at fullback shifting Rapana to the wing.
The green machine will welcome back club legend Croker into the centres who will make his first NRL appearance of the season.
Rapana says that Croker will bring a lot of confidence and experience to the side.
“I know for myself and the boys out there that we're all pumped to have our old skip back so he's gonna bring a lot of experience and energy having him back on the field,” Rapana said.
“The boys were pumped to have him back and we know what he's done for this club. The amount of games he's on, not too far away from 300 so it's exciting and awesome.”
Nicoll-Klokstad was one of the Raiders best to start the season, including scoring the match winning try in the Raiders famous comeback win against the Titans earlier this season.
Rapana believes Nicoll-Klokstad is one of the best fullbacks in the game and is looking forward to playing alongside him this weekend.
“I have no doubt that the experience there will help the young boys, having Charnze back at the back. I've seen the confidence he brings so it's good to have him back,” Rapana said.
With Jack Wighton ruled out due to suspension, young halfback Brad Schneider will have a bigger job than normal this Friday night.
Rapana believes that with Timoko moving to the right and the return of Croker, it will give Schneider a huge confidence boost.
“I'll have Matty Timoko inside me there as I think he's back on the right edge which is the side he prefers,” Rapana said.
“Jarrod back on that left will add so much experience and bring a lot of confidence to young Schneider. It's a big job for him to play that position in the NRL, which is the toughest competition in the world.”
The Raiders will return to GIO Stadium to take on the Bulldogs this weekend. The Bulldogs are coming off an upset win over the Roosters but Rapana believes they have the game plan to shut their key players down.
“There are some key players but we know what we need to do in defence and what we need to do in attack,” Rapana said.
“We have just in the past few weeks gone away from our game plans in the second half, so if we stick to our game plan success will come.”
The Raiders will be celebrating Forever Green Round against the Bulldogs this weekend, with some past players and coaches in attendance. Rapana believes that this weekend isn't just a must-win for the team but for all the Raiders’ old boys.
“It's exciting times, we spoke about doing it for them this weekend and we have a few old boys being inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Rapana said
“For me personally it's one of my favourite rounds. Having the old boys back and playing for them so this week is a must win for ourselves and those guys.”
