Raiders v Sea Eagles Preview
Big League
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=51269
Canberra Stadium
Friday 7.45pm
ITS not often the Canberra faithful get to come out on a Friday night to see their Raiders go around so hopefully the occasion brings forth the big crowd it deserves.
The Green Machine comes into this crucial clash against the fourth-placed Sea Eagles in a respectable 10th position and they know they need to keep the win column ticking over if they are to stay in the dogfight for finals positions this season.
They come into the match fresh from a bye and a pummelling of the hapless South Sydney so there should be no excuses come kick-off.
They enter the clash with a settled squad having named the same side that dismantled Souths in round 10. Troy Thompson has been named as 18th man at this stage.
For Manly, the game couldnt come soon enough after last weeks loss to the Dragons at Brookvale. Prior to the loss the Sea Eagles had made steady progress up the ladder but the shock loss has some cynics resurfacing.
Coach Des Hasler has stuck with the same 17 to take on the Raiders but has named Vic Mauro as an extra man on the bench.
It looms as a danger game for the Sea Eagles who need to get back in the winners circle if they are to consolidate a top-four spot.
Canberra are well rested and always play better in the nations capital when the weather starts to get chilly.
Watch out Raiders: The Sea Eagles are deadly when they get into the attacking red zone. Having scored 33 of their 42 tries from within 20 metres the Manly boys are one of the leagues best sides at turning good field position into tries.
The flipside to this is the Raiders can make life difficult for the Eagles if they can limit their time in the attacking quarter.
An aggressive defensive line is needed in the middle of the field to contain the Manly metre eaters especially considering the Raiders have conceded 11 tries up the middle and Manly have scored 13 up the guts.
Watch out Sea Eagles: Canberras kick accuracy of 62 per cent is one of the best in the NRL and will allow them to dictate field position if the Manly side doesnt pressure the kickers.
As stated above, the Raiders need only dominate field territory to make Manly suffer so it is imperative Todd Carney isnt given a free rein to place the ball wherever he likes.
The Sea Eagles only find space 48 per cent of the time, further highlighting the importance of kick-pressure and a good kick-chase in this game.
Where it will be won: It might just come down to defence of attacking kicks. Manly have scored 12 but leaked eight tries to kicks this year, while Canberra have scored eight and leaked 11.
Canberra struggle defusing the grubber kick (69 per cent success, 13th in NRL) and the bomb (59 per cent success, 15th in NRL) while Manly have only defused half of the cross-field bombs theyve faced and are yet to clean up a banana kick.
Matt Orford and Carney should spend some extra sessions sharpening up their skills before heading out for this one.
The History: Played 39; Raiders 16, Sea Eagles 22, drawn 1. Manly have won five of the past six matches between the sides. At Canberra Stadium the teams have split 10 games with five wins a piece, although the last time Canberra beat Manly in Canberra was 2004.
Conclusion: The sensible tip is Manly but the Raiders are a 12-point better team at home and the Sea Eagles come into the clash off a poor loss.
It is by no means beyond the Green Machine to cause an upset here; in fact they are a good chance to do so.
With plenty to play for, Canberra might just turn it on and if the weather is cold as the winter approaches the boys from the sunny northern beaches might find it difficult to adapt.
If you need to jag a few upsets in your tipping competition, think long and hard about using this game to mount a charge.
Match officials: Referee Sean Hampstead; Sideline Officials Tony De Las Heras & David Abood; Video ref Paul Simpkins.
Televised: Channel Nine Delayed 9.30pm (NSW & Qld).
Sean Hampstead
