What a difference a year makes.
This time last season the Raiders and Eels were languishing at the bottom of the ladder, and here they are 12 months later boasting identical 3-1 records and preparing to meet in the match of the round.
The Raiders were all business disposing of the slumping Cowboys last week and should return to a big home-town crowd on Sunday.
In the blue and gold corner are the Eels, who have clearly put last year's horror campaign behind them.
With both teams in good form, this has the potential to be a Sunday night cracker.
Match: Raiders v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
8th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
The Rundown
Team news
Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17. Joe Tapine (thumb) was close last week and will play in jersey 17. Bailey Simonsson and JJ Collins dropped off the extended bench on Saturday, while Royce Hunt and Aidan Sezer dropped off one hour from kick-off. Canberra have won their past four games against the Eels.
Eels: The Eels brought David Gower into the 17 with Oregon Kaufusi and Josh Hoffman the final two names to drop out on game day, in the only change from last week. Brad Takairangi will play his 150th NRL game. Ray Stone and Bevan French were omitted from the extended squad 24 hours prior to kick-off.
Match: Raiders v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerCentre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Eels is number 4 Brad Takairangi
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jaeman Salmon
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Sam WilliamsHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iProp for Eels is number 8 Daniel Alvaro
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis LuiProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Marata Niukore
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan SuttonLock for Eels is number 13 Tepai Moeroa
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Siliva HaviliInterchange for Eels is number 14 Peni Terepo
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Hudson YoungInterchange for Eels is number 15 Tim Mannah
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Iosia SoliolaInterchange for Eels is number 16 Kane Evans
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Joseph TapineInterchange for Eels is number 18 David Gower
Match Officials
- Referee: Henry Perenara
- Referee: Tim Roby
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Some interesting battles all over the park with Michael Jennings against Joseph Leilua and rookie hooker Reed Mahoney facing off with one of the world's best in Josh Hodgson. But the crucial clash of halfbacks Sam Williams and Mitch Moses looms as the most intriguing. Williams has been rock-solid since returning to first grade in round three, while Moses has been on song all year for the Eels.
For the Raiders to win
Defence has been their primary focus since round one and the offence has flowed from those defensive efforts. Only the Storm (40) and Wests Tigers (43) have conceded less points than Canberra (44) and Ricky Stuart will be demanding more of the same on Sunday. The Raiders will have to be especially strong against damaging wingers Blake Ferguson and Maika Sivo.
For the Eels to win
Ferguson and new Fijian sensation Sivo will be counted upon to do their usual work to get the Eels out of their own half, while Moses and Mahoney need to play their part in driving Parra forward. The Raiders have shown they have a thirst for defence this year, so the Eels might not create as many scoring opportunities as they usually do and need to make the most of them when they arise.
Brett Kimmorley says
Parramatta played for 80 minutes last week, where the week before they played for about 60 against the Roosters. Parramatta play calm and composed, whereas with the Raiders you have Rapana and Leilua who can do anything at any time. The two No.9s, Reed Mahoney and Josh Hodgson, will turn on a great clash – the rookie verse the master. Raiders by 4
Raiders Stat Attack
Starving the opposition of possession has been one of the keys to the Raiders' early-season success. The Green Machine lead the NRL in possession at 54% and are also first in dummy-half runs (77). They rank third in tackle breaks (137) and fourth in post contact metres (1,933).
Eels Stat Attack
While it's no real surprise to see Blake Ferguson leading the NRL in run metres (880), sitting in second spot is teammate Clint Gutherson (826). Gutherson is also equal-first in line break assists (5) and Ferguson is second in post contact metres (245).
And another thing ...
On paper it would seem the Raiders have an edge in the hooker department but Josh Hodgson has a challenge on his hands against Reed Mahoney. The Eels rake racked up 59 tackles in the 24-12 defeat of the Sharks, while Hodgson led the way with 43 tackles in Canberra's win over the Cowboys and will be looking forward to his duel with Mahoney.
