Round 24 - Raiders vs Rabbitohs, Saturday 25th of August 3:00pm @ GIO Stadium

[Different kind of Rabbit]

All match related posts in here.

 

[Rabbits20]

Hopefully AJ GI and Campbell are back. If they are drop Kennar for sure and Fui too.

Yesterday Raiders completed their first 26 of 26 sets and 94percent for the match.

Let’s hope yesterday took some juice out of them.

We need to complete at 85percent though.

Surely we can’t lose three in a row.

If we win this we keep our top two hopes alive... surely the boys will be up for it.

 

[callmack1]

Really looking forward to this as I think it'll be a great game! The two best attacking sides in the comp going up against each other and it'll be a very interesting contest. The Raiders were outstanding against the Roosters yesterday and I expect them to be up for this one too so it's not gonna be an easy task at all with the way they're playing at the moment.

Hopefully we will get GI, AJ and Graham all back which will be a masive boost and the nine day turn around from the Broncos game should help with a few niggles for a few guys.

I also believe we will be wearing our special alternate/heritage jersey we wore in the Charity Shield which will be good to see again.

Top five victories in the ACT: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2018/08/19/top-five-victories-in-the-act/

 

[Travitoh]

Canberra beating Easts yesterday should only be a good thing imo. It should eliminate any chance of Souths taking them lightly.
A 9 day break vs 6 is a massive advantage, especially when troops are sore. Cook is due and being refreshed against a big Canberra pack, could make them look silly again.
I don't believe it will necessarily be a walkover but South Sydney's fitness should get the job done.

 

[ThingFish]

Canberra beating Easts yesterday should only be a good thing imo. It should eliminate any chance of Souths taking them lightly.
A 9 day break vs 6 is a massive advantage, especially when troops are sore. Cook is due and being refreshed against a big Canberra pack, could make them look silly again.
I don't believe it will necessarily be a walkover but South Sydney's fitness should get the job done.

Another over due is Cody Walker. Has gone missing recently. Needs to return soon.

 

[Travitoh]

Another over due is Cody Walker. Has gone missing recently. Needs to return soon.

AJ's return will see Cody find form again imo.

 

[callmack1]

Well, it looks like GI will certainly be back this week! That is just fantastic news as we've misssed him so much and there's no doubting what he brings to our side. He looks lean, fit and fresh so I can't wait to see the big fella back out there!

Inglis confident of Canberra return: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2018/08/20/inglis-confident-of-canberra-return/

Inglis could return this weekend: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2018/08/20/inglis-feeling-fit-ahead-of-comeback/

Cook looking to bring back our 'brand of footy': https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2018/08/20/cook-looking-to-bring-back-our-brand-of-footy/

Haha, that interview with Cookie is pretty funny and unexpected with Reyno popping in there!

'We need to bring the right mentality' - Reynolds: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2018/08/20/we-need-to-bring-the-right-mentality-reynolds/

Walker focused on task ahead: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2018/08/20/walker-focused-on-task-ahead/

'I would love to represent both sides of my family' - Gagai's dilemma: https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/20...oth-sides-of-my-family-gagais-tough-decision/

 

[southsport]

AJ's return will see Cody find form again imo.

AJ and GI returning should see the left become a weapon again.

 

[Rabbits20]

AJ and GI returning should see the left become a weapon again.

AJ may be touch and go.

Have to see how he is at the back end of the week. Hopefully Seibs names him.

 

[Rabbits20]

AJ and GI returning should see the left become a weapon again.

So Seibs insights one of them may is definitely back out of the three which I assume is GI.

Possibly a second will be back which I guess means they’re touch and go and one of them is out. So maybe Campbell is still another week away and AJ is touch and go.

Please no Kennar and Fui on that edge...

So if AJ and GI are back get rid of Kennar and Fui. Hunt right wing and Burns left wing....

Kennar is down on confidence..

 

[southsport]

So Seibs insights one of them may is definitely back out of the three which I assume is GI.

Possibly a second will be back which I guess means they’re touch and go and one of them is out. So maybe Campbell is still another week away and AJ is touch and go.

Please no Kennar and Fui on that edge...

So if AJ and GI are back get rid of Kennar and Fui. Hunt right wing and Burns left wing....

Kennar is down on confidence..

I don't know if people have inside info or not but there doesn't seem to be any confidence regarding AJ's return.

 

[Rabbits20]

I don't know if people have inside info or not but there doesn't seem to be any confidence regarding AJ's return.

May be

GI
Graham
Burns
Gagai
Hunt

Burns and Hunt with a massive task on Lapana.

Fui may have to suffice on the bench this weekend.

 

[callmack1]

I reckon we'll have all three of GI, AJ and Graham back, well at least I hope we do. I expect them to all be named but there is always the possibility they'll pull out before Saturday.

Murray relishing impact role: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2018/08/21/murray-relishing-impact-role/

My predicted Line Up for this week is,

1. Johnston
2. Graham
3. Inglis (C)
4. Gagai
5. Burns
6. Walker
7. Reynolds
8. T.Burgess
9. Cook
10. G.Burgess
11. Sutton
12. Crichton
13. S.Burgess

14. Hunt
15. Murray
16. Clark
17. Tatola

Over the last couple of weeks, Burns has been really, really good so I'd be rewarding him with the left wing starting spot for sure. I think he's been better than Hunt so that'll see Hunt drop to the bench I reckon.

Guess we'll find out soonish.

 

[Travitoh]

If it were up to me, I'd play Gagai on the wing and keep Burns at centre. I still believe kick returns are one of Gagai's strengths and it was on display last week. While on the other hand, Burns has history struggling with recieving kicks but has played his best first grade footy at centre.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

If it were up to me, I'd play Gagai on the wing and keep Burns at centre. I still believe kick returns are one of Gagai's strengths and it was on display last week. While on the other hand, Burns has history struggling with recieving kicks but has played his best first grade footy at centre.

I agree with this.

Burns looks every bit a first grade centre in the making.

Sure, he may have cost us a try last Thursday by not passing at one stage but I expect that his passing game will improve as part of his progression. People tend to forget that it was he who made that flick pass against the Roosters which led to the Hunt try. Last year he was a skinny kid playing out on the wing. This year, he's certainly put on some muscle and he still has some pace and footwork to boot. A couple of times there last week I was surprised he didn't break the line. If he can add a pass to his arsenal as well, he will be a handful.

If we can turn him into a strike centre it allows us to shuffle Gagai out to the wing and our backline looks 1000 x better on that right hand side.

The only problem we then have is that we have too many wingers. Between Graham, Jennings and Gagai.

 

[Travitoh]

The only problem we then have is that we have too many wingers. Between Graham, Jennings and Gagai.

I like Graham but i feel he is a liability against cross field kicks. For every one that he comes in and takes thanks to his height advantage, there will be another that he completely misjudges and goes over his head. I can recall Parra exploiting this in rd 15 and there have been others.
A very good option to have as the next in line but for mine he is third of the three mentioned.

 

[themacemaceman]

So they’re all back!
Great news but Kennar, Hiroti and Fui all on extended bench as cover incase anyone’s not quite right.
And Burnsy with the no14 which I think might be his to lose now.

 

[southsport]

1. Alex Johnston

2. Campbell Graham

3. Greg Inglis

4. Dane Gagai

5. Hymel Hunt

6. Cody Walker

7. Adam Reynolds


8. Thomas Burgess

9. Damien Cook

10. George Burgess

11. John Sutton

12.Angus Crichton

13. Sam Burgess


14. Braidon Burns

15. Cameron Murray

16. Jason Clark

17. Tevita Tatola


18. Richard Kennar

19. Tyrell Fuimaono

20. Dean Britt

21. Mawene Hiroti

 

[Curns13]

So they’re all back!
Great news but Kennar, Hiroti and Fui all on extended bench as cover incase anyone’s not quite right.
And Burnsy with the no14 which I think might be his to lose now.

Music to my ears.

 

[Curns13]

1. Alex Johnston

2. Campbell Graham

3. Greg Inglis

4. Dane Gagai

5. Hymel Hunt

6. Cody Walker

7. Adam Reynolds


8. Thomas Burgess

9. Damien Cook

10. George Burgess

11. John Sutton

12.Angus Crichton

13. Sam Burgess


14. Braidon Burns

15. Cameron Murray

16. Jason Clark

17. Tevita Tatola


18. Richard Kennar

19. Tyrell Fuimaono

20. Dean Britt

21. Mawene Hiroti

A sight for sore eyes.