Raiders v Bulldogs Preview
NRL.com
Canberra Stadium
Sunday 2pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52708
HERE is a game that is very important to both sides for very different reasons.
The seventh-placed Raiders could potentially be fighting for a place in the finals and even if earlier results have gone in their favour theyll still be fighting for better position in the top eight.
The Bulldogs have this one last chance to offload the wooden spoon to the Cowboys, provided the Cowboys dont upset the Sharks the night before.
It is also the farewell of coach Steve Folkes and hooker Corey Hughes, two men that have bled for the club their entire lives.
For the Raiders, earlier results in the weekend will either relieve some pressure, or put them well and truly under the pump.
If the Knights beat Brisbane and the Warriors beat the Eels theyll go into this clash outside the finals zone, meaning only a victory would see them survive another round of football.
If the Dragons lose to the Roosters on Friday night the Raiders could still move up to sixth place, a better position to be in than the deadly seven and eight rungs of the ladder.
They have stuck with the side that was beaten in Townsville last weekend but have added Cy Lasscock and Ben Jones to an extended bench.
The Bulldogs have also stuck with their side that went down to Brisbane, although Nick Kouparitsas needs to beat a judiciary charge to take his place on the bench.
Watch out Raiders: Rookie centre Jamal Idris has had a few games to settle into the NRL but really wants to go out with a bang to have fans begging for more next year.
He has been relatively quiet in his first three games, posting just the one line-break assist but we could be in for an explosion a break-out game if you will from the young talent.
He has averaged 83 metres gained so far but has his sights set on triple figures in this game.
And he wants to see numbers not zeros in his line-break and try-scoring columns.
Watch out Bulldogs: This game pits the best team at scoring long-range tries against the worst team for defending against them, so it could be carnage.
The Raiders lead the NRL with tries from over halfway (with 25 for the year) while the Bulldogs have leaked 23 from distance, seven tries more than the next worst side Penrith.
The blue-and-white boys need to be aware of the early shift and defend accordingly.
Where it will be won: Confidence.
The Raiders confidence took a battering last week when the Cowboys touched them up and the seeds of doubt could be creeping in.
Is their mounting injury toll becoming too much to handle?
It hasnt been to date, because the players havent believed it to be the case, but if they start to believe it they will slip further away from their objectives.
The Bulldogs will no doubt throw caution to the wind here, meaning confidence is vital.
If they get an early lead theyll start to have fun and with fun comes confident play; with that comes luck and with that comes more points.
The Raiders are the ultimate confidence team.
When they start clicking the points start piling up.
Whichever team gets some confidence early and maintains it will get the result they need.
The History: Played 51; Raiders 22, Bulldogs 29.
The Bulldogs have won five of the past seven matches between the clubs although the Raiders hammered the Dogs 58-18 earlier this year.
At Canberra Stadium the Raiders hold a 9-5 advantage but havent beaten the Bulldogs in the nations capital since 2003.
Conclusion: Canberra should be too strong for the Bulldogs, ending what has been a horrific year for the puppies.
They probably deserve to finish last but they still wouldnt be the most disappointing team of the year given the injuries and dramas surrounding the season.
If Canberra are the real deal theyll finish with a bang in front of their loyal fans, despite the injury toll they are sporting, and gear up for an assault on the finals.
Match officials: Referee Sean Hampstead; Sideline Officials Daniel Eastwood & Jeff Younis; Video ref Phil Cooley.
Televised: Fox Sports 2 Live 2pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Sean Hampstead
