Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders
Greg Prichard | March 12, 2008 - 5:58PM
Saturday, EnergyAustralia Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Tony De Las Heras
Two teams who are considered to be prime wooden spoon candidates going head-to-head first-up. The loser is going to be left looking a bit shabby. Canberra are on the road, but they've got a shot at winning this game.
There is a good reason Penrith and Manly are throwing big money at Raiders halfback Todd Carney - the kid is potentially a big star. He's got the ability to spark something here. But the Knights deserve favouritsm. Newcastle coach, Brian Smith, attracted a lot of negative publicity with his player clean-out at the club, but that wouldn't bother him.
Now we will see if he can make the player personnel changes translate into wins and playing at home against Canberra, Newcastle should get the cash - even if it might not be by much. Kurt Gidley, at fullback, and hooker Danny Buderus are the keys for the Knights. They will take a lot heat off the new-look halves combination of Jarrod Mullen and Chris Bailey by getting heavily involved in orchestrating the attack. The Raiders are renowned for struggling away from home in recent years.
KNIGHTS: Kurt Gidley, James McManus, Wes Naiqama, Adam MacDougall, Cooper Vuna, Chris Bailey, Jarrod Mullen, Daniel Tolar, Danny Buderus (capt), Jesse Royal, Chris Houston, Zeb Taia, Steve Simpson. Interchange: Matt Hilder, Cory Paterson, Richard Faaoso, Danny Wicks, Scott Dureau, Matthew White, Keith Lulia (three to be omitted)
RAIDERS: William Zillman, Colin Best, Phil Graham, Joel Monaghan, Adrian Purtell, Terry Campese, Todd Carney, Troy Thompson, Lincoln Withers, Scott Logan, Neville Costigan, Glen Turner, Alan Tongue (capt). Interchange: Marshall Chalk, Josh Miller, Dane Tilse, Michael Weyman, Joe Picker, Nigel Plum (two to be omitted)
