~knights~
Juniors
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http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/league-match-preview-display/preview-knights-v-raiders
Preview: Knights v Raiders
Sportal
Venue & Time: EnergyAustralia Stadium, 7:00pm AEST, Monday June 18
Head To Head: Played 27, Raiders 16, Knights 10, draws 1
Last Time: Raiders 48 - Knights 18 at Canberra Stadium, round 3, 2007
Walking Wounded:
The Knights have lost makeshift co-captain Kirk Reynoldson for up to eight weeks with a knee injury, while centres recruit Luke MacDougall is in doubt with a triceps injury. But in a massive boost, both Jarrod Mullen (calf) and Kurt Gidley (shoulder) return to the side, along with prop Adam Woolnough (leg).
Players unavailable for the Raiders include centre Phil Graham (knee - round 17), second-rower Matt Bickerstaff (knee - round 16), centre Adrian Purtell (deep vein thrombosis - indefinite) and utility back Brett Kelly (ankle - round 15).
Form:
The Knights are to be commended for the way they competed against the Tigers on Sunday minus several stars to either injury or Origin duty. The loss of Reynoldson after 11 minutes certainly didn't help their cause nor did MacDougall's injury which resulted in a two-man bench for the entire second half. We must also not overlook the fact that some of the Newcastle players were forced out of their homes last weekend due to the unkind weather.
The Raiders responded to the disappointment of their round 12 loss to the Titans in stunning fashion to bury the Eels within 12 minutes at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. In that period they posted a staggering 24 points to set up a comprehensive 38-10 victory over a team that had just come off an equally dominating display against the Tigers. The win pushes this youthful Canberra side back into the top eight, much to the dismay of the many who had labeled them certain wooden-spooners.
Who's Hot:
For the Knights, young centre Brad Tighe performed the best Steve Renouf impression of all-time last Sunday when he produced a brilliant right foot step at full pace to wrong-foot several Tigers defenders for a try. This was just one of two four-pointers in the match for Tighe, who made 10 tackle busts and 173m in his best NRL performance to date.
The Raiders had many stars last week, but the form of talented utility Terry Campese was of particular interest. This kid has had big wraps on him since he came into the top grade and it appears he is now starting to realise that potential given greater responsibility this season. He was everywhere against the Eels, scoring a try, setting another couple up and making six tackle busts.
Who's Not:
Last Sunday was meant to be a big occasion for Reynoldson given it was his first shot at captaining an NRL team in his 100-game career. Unfortunately his joy would soon turn to pain his leg buckled under two defenders in the early stages of the game. He left the field in agony and it appeared his season would be over, but the most recent diagnosis has him back on the paddock in two months.
For the Raiders, big prop Michael Weyman needs to take a chill pill. First he puts Eels prop Josh Cordoba to sleep with a nasty high shot, then he follows that up with a series of punches on Mark Riddell in retaliation for a run of the mill sledge. He will now spend three weeks on the sidelines to ponder his
Key Match-Ups:
Luke Walsh v Michael Dobson
Danny Buderus v Lincoln Withers
Josh Perry v Scott Logan
Like to See:
The Raiders put together quality back-to-back performances. They are yet to really impress in consecutive matches this season despite performing well above expectations on the whole.
Wouldn't Like to See:
The Knights without Origin stars Buderus and Simpson following Wednesday night's Origin. They really need their experienced guys on deck.
We Think:
If Buderus and Simpson can return to the Knights side then that should give them the edge on a Raiders team, that doesn't perform well on the road and struggles to produce quality games in succession. The Knights showed last week they have plenty of spirit and the return of a couple of key men in Mullen and Gidley should only improve their chances. Knights by 8.
Preview: Knights v Raiders
Sportal
Venue & Time: EnergyAustralia Stadium, 7:00pm AEST, Monday June 18
Head To Head: Played 27, Raiders 16, Knights 10, draws 1
Last Time: Raiders 48 - Knights 18 at Canberra Stadium, round 3, 2007
Walking Wounded:
The Knights have lost makeshift co-captain Kirk Reynoldson for up to eight weeks with a knee injury, while centres recruit Luke MacDougall is in doubt with a triceps injury. But in a massive boost, both Jarrod Mullen (calf) and Kurt Gidley (shoulder) return to the side, along with prop Adam Woolnough (leg).
Players unavailable for the Raiders include centre Phil Graham (knee - round 17), second-rower Matt Bickerstaff (knee - round 16), centre Adrian Purtell (deep vein thrombosis - indefinite) and utility back Brett Kelly (ankle - round 15).
Form:
The Knights are to be commended for the way they competed against the Tigers on Sunday minus several stars to either injury or Origin duty. The loss of Reynoldson after 11 minutes certainly didn't help their cause nor did MacDougall's injury which resulted in a two-man bench for the entire second half. We must also not overlook the fact that some of the Newcastle players were forced out of their homes last weekend due to the unkind weather.
The Raiders responded to the disappointment of their round 12 loss to the Titans in stunning fashion to bury the Eels within 12 minutes at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. In that period they posted a staggering 24 points to set up a comprehensive 38-10 victory over a team that had just come off an equally dominating display against the Tigers. The win pushes this youthful Canberra side back into the top eight, much to the dismay of the many who had labeled them certain wooden-spooners.
Who's Hot:
For the Knights, young centre Brad Tighe performed the best Steve Renouf impression of all-time last Sunday when he produced a brilliant right foot step at full pace to wrong-foot several Tigers defenders for a try. This was just one of two four-pointers in the match for Tighe, who made 10 tackle busts and 173m in his best NRL performance to date.
The Raiders had many stars last week, but the form of talented utility Terry Campese was of particular interest. This kid has had big wraps on him since he came into the top grade and it appears he is now starting to realise that potential given greater responsibility this season. He was everywhere against the Eels, scoring a try, setting another couple up and making six tackle busts.
Who's Not:
Last Sunday was meant to be a big occasion for Reynoldson given it was his first shot at captaining an NRL team in his 100-game career. Unfortunately his joy would soon turn to pain his leg buckled under two defenders in the early stages of the game. He left the field in agony and it appeared his season would be over, but the most recent diagnosis has him back on the paddock in two months.
For the Raiders, big prop Michael Weyman needs to take a chill pill. First he puts Eels prop Josh Cordoba to sleep with a nasty high shot, then he follows that up with a series of punches on Mark Riddell in retaliation for a run of the mill sledge. He will now spend three weeks on the sidelines to ponder his
Key Match-Ups:
Luke Walsh v Michael Dobson
Danny Buderus v Lincoln Withers
Josh Perry v Scott Logan
Like to See:
The Raiders put together quality back-to-back performances. They are yet to really impress in consecutive matches this season despite performing well above expectations on the whole.
Wouldn't Like to See:
The Knights without Origin stars Buderus and Simpson following Wednesday night's Origin. They really need their experienced guys on deck.
We Think:
If Buderus and Simpson can return to the Knights side then that should give them the edge on a Raiders team, that doesn't perform well on the road and struggles to produce quality games in succession. The Knights showed last week they have plenty of spirit and the return of a couple of key men in Mullen and Gidley should only improve their chances. Knights by 8.
