Flying Phil back for Bunnies Clash

[thickos]

31/08/04: Fone Zone Canberra Raiders speedster Phil Graham has been called back into the first grade lineup by coach Matthew Elliott, ahead of this Saturday's home clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

After a stint on the sidelines with an ankle injury, Graham returned to the field last week in the Raiders 48-6 Premier League thumping of the Rabbitohs, scoring a try in an impressive comeback performance.

Adam Mogg also returns to the lineup this week after a brief layoff with a shoulder injury, along with mIchael Hodgson, who has been named on a 6-man interchange bench.

Ruben Wiki and Tyran Smith both return from suspension, while Marshall Chalk has retained his wing spot after an impressive debut against the Roosters a fortnight ago.

The match promises to be a blockbuster, with the Bunnies roaring back into form last week against the Broncos and the Raiders possibly playing for a finals berth, depending on the outcome of the Knights v Tigers clash which will be played earlier in the evening.

Telstra Premiership Round 26

Fone Zone Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs
7.30pm, Saturday 4 September, 2004
Canberra Stadium

Coach: Matthew Elliott

1 Clinton Schifcofske
2 Marshall Chalk
3 Adam Mogg
4 Joel Monaghan
5 Phil Graham
6 Jason Croker
7 Brad Drew

13 Tyran Smith
12 Ian Hindmarsh
11 Ruben Wiki
10 Troy Thompson
9 Simon Woolford (c)
8 Ryan O’Hara

Interchange
14 Michael Hodgson
15 Josh Miller
16 Terry Martin
17 Mark McLinden
18 Matthew Gafa
19 Nathan Smith

--------------------------------

good to see Phil back, I feel sorry for Gafa though. He is in miles better form than Joel.

Didn't Thommo break his hand????

No Boogs in sight

 

[azza]

6 Jason Croker
7 Brad Drew

As usual, would much rather see Carney there but this is our form halves pairing otherwise. Macca has been going that bad.

 

[mike83au]

I'm a little surprised that Chalk has retained his spot ahead of Gafa, but hey.... what have we got to lose?

 

[Raider_69]

Cant say i disagree with the side too much
would prefer to see carney and macca in the halves but drew went pretty well against the chooks
i would have gaf in for Judas who has been rubbish for some time now.. PHIL IS BACK!!! YES!!! HE IS AN ANIMAL!!

as for the interchange, id run with

14 Michael Hodgson
15 Josh Miller
16 Terry Martin
17 Matthew Gafa

unfortunate McLinden has been pathetic, gaf has played all over him IMHO, a stint in reggies would do macca the world of good IMO

Elliot will retain macca thou

 

[I Bleed Green]

I'm glad Chalky got another chance, even if it was at Gaf's expense.

A good looking side... as we knew that Carney wouldn't be picked.

 

[hrundi99]

I'm fine with letting Carney concentrate on winning the PL GF.

 

[Raider_69]

I'm fine with letting Carney comcentrate on winning the PL GF.

yea i can see the logic in this selection... thats almost a first
Next season i would expect Carney to be starting/off the bench every game

 

[Raider Azz]

Welcome back Mogg and Graham!

I like this side a lot.

Elliot will probably go with the first 4 on the bench.

 

[raidersfan]

Hmmm I don't like some of the selections this week. Chalk for Gafa or Smith???

If I was Elliot I'd run with this side

1 Clinton Schifcofske
2 Matt Gafa
3 Adam Mogg
4 Joel Monaghan
5 Phil Graham
6 Jason Croker
7 Brad Drew

13 Tyran Smith
12 Ian Hindmarsh
11 Ruben Wiki
10 Troy Thompson
9 Simon Woolford (c)
8 Ryan O’Hara

Interchange
14 Michael Hodgson
15 Josh Miller
16 Terry Martin
17 Mark McLinden


I think Mclinden is a Good impact player off the bench. What would McLinden be lkie on the Wing or centres? Can Hodgson play prop?


1 Clinton Schifcofske
2 Joel Monaghan
3 Adam Mogg
4 Mark McLinden
5 Phil Graham
6 Jason Croker
7 Brad Drew

13 Tyran Smith
12 Ian Hindmarsh
11 Ruben Wiki
10 Troy Thompson
9 Simon Woolford (c)
8 Ryan O’Hara

Interchange
14 Michael Hodgson
15 Josh Miller
16 Terry Martin
17 Matt Gafa

 

[greeneyed]

I just feel extremely uncomfortable about the idea of Drew in half....... :| :| :|

 

[hrundi99]

He'll be fine. Mark my words.

 

[peter_raiders]

Wouldnt do much for Chalk's condfidence but if i was Elliott i would drop him on game day.
This is the team i think should run out at 7.30:


1 Clinton Schifcofske
19 Nathan Smith
3 Adam Mogg
5 Phil Graham
18 Matthew Gafa
6 Jason Croker
7 Brad Drew

13 Tyran Smith
12 Ian Hindmarsh
11 Ruben Wiki
10 Troy Thompson
9 Simon Woolford (c)
8 Ryan O’Hara

Interchange
14 Michael Hodgson
15 Josh Miller
16 Terry Martin
17 Mark McLinden

 

[Raider Azz]

Chalk deserved to retain his spot, it's a shame Smith and Gafa had to make way though.

On the plus, it's good to have so much to choose from (for once)!

 

[Freddo]

what a side this weekend i think the old heads of croker and drew will do the trick. but id play in defense and attacking pairs
have phil and mogg on one side and mongahan and chalk.

mclinden on the bench not bad for it will add some injection to the tired fowards round the ruck when they start gettin lazy.

tyran smith starting lock, strange but id like to see gafa doing it

 

[hrundi99]

Mac will score at least 1 try.

:idea:

 

[Anonymous]

I like that side, it should be capable of defeating the bunnies no sweat.

However, I have a sneaking suspicion that '20-J.Bulgarelli' will make an apperance.

 

[Angel Of Death]

this is almost the best side we could put on the park this year
Id still have Macca instead of Drew usually although I cant say I disagree with his benching considering his form. Drew is the kind of arsey bastard who will kick a winning FG or something anyway. Chalk has potential though he had a case of the dropsies in his debut. He recovered and went well though, atleast he was keen.
I'm assuming Weyman is unavailable? He is one player who has really impressed this season in limited time.

 

[Raider Azz]

There was a chance of Weyman coming back, but it appears he is still injured.

 

[greeneyed]

Carney isn't in PL so he must be injured?

 

[Kris_man]

no gafa? :shock: apart from the omission of gaf, i expected this team.
i'm over the moon to see phil in above boogers, smith and gaf. i would also have had kahler too, as usual.

good things about this team:
Phil Graham, Marshall Chalk - i was one of the few guys who liked his perfomance against the roosters, Michael Hodgson, Josh Miller

bad things about this team:
Toots at 5/8, Thompson still in the 17 :roll:, no Gafa - i was becoming a fan of the gaf.