Match day guide and preview for the Raiders Round 15 game against the Dragons.
Who, when and where?
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders
Saturday 19 June, 5.30pm
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Head-to-head record: Played 34. Raiders 20 wins. Dragons 11 wins. 3 draws.
Ladder position and recent form
Canberra Raiders 10th | 257 points for | 321 points against | 5 wins & 8 losses | WLLWL
The Raiders looked refreshed after the bye and got back on the winners list with a comfortable 38-16 victory over the Broncos last week.
It was easily the Raiders best performance in the last two months, but they need to back it up against better opposition.
Despite having won just two of their past nine matches, the Raiders can remarkably find themselves in the top eight with a win on Saturday.
St George Illawarra Dragons 8th | 299 points for | 312 points against | 6 wins & 8 losses | LWLLL
The Dragons are in the midst of a slump and their 28-6 loss to the Bulldogs on Monday was their worst performance of the season.
They have now lost four of their past five matches and are barley clinging onto eighth spot.
There has been plenty of noise around the club with Matt Dufty and Corey Norman on the outer which appears to be having a negative impact on their performances.
Team selection
Raiders
The Raiders have named an unchanged 17 for the clash with Ricky Stuart sticking with the same side that got the job done over the Broncos.
Bailey Simonsson remains at fullback after a successful first match in the position last week. Matt Timoko will get another crack at centre after a strong display in his first game of the season.
Ryan James is available for selection after serving his suspension but has been named as a reserve.
Dragons
Despite the heavy loss, coach Anthony Griffin has named the same 17 as last week.
However, Zac Lomax has been named on the reserves list and could return from a thumb injury.
Click here for full team lists.
Last 5 meetings
- 2020 Round 18: Dragons 8 – 37 Raiders at WIN Stadium
- 2020 Round 8: Raiders 22 – 16 Dragons at GIO Stadium Canberra
- 2019 Round 17: Dragons 14 – 36 Raiders at WIN Stadium
- 2018 Round 11: Dragons 25 – 18Raidersat Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
- 2017 Round 19: Raiders 18 – 14 Dragons at GIO Stadium
The Raiders enjoy a good record over the Dragons having won four of their last five matches, including the last three straight.
They towelled the Dragons up at WIN Stadium last year, scoring four tries to none in the second half to run away with the win.
The players to watch
Raiders – Matt Timoko
Timoko looked right at home playing right centre in his first game of the season against the Broncos.
He ran for 120 metres from his 10 runs, had 5 tackle breaks and set up a try for Sam Williams. According to the NRL website stats, he also made a team high 32 tackles which is an astounding number for a centre.
He’s got Jarrod Croker, Curtis Scott and Harley Smith-Shields all itching to get back into the NRL side and another strong showing here would help cement his spot.
Dragons – Matt Dufty
It’s no secret Dufty is on the outer at the Dragons and if the media reports are to be believed, it seems like the Raiders are his most likely landing spot.
The fullback has played some scintillating footy for the Dragons this season but can also put in a stinker like he did against the Bulldogs last week.
There doesn’t seem to be much interest from other clubs in Dufty, so if he wants to join the Raiders, a strong showing here would do his chances the world of good.
Pre match predictions
Whitehead popping: Elliott Whitehead to pop up with a try and a try assist.
Chef’s Kris: Seb Kris to turn up the heat on the Dragons defence with a try and a line break. – Denholm Samaras
Other match details
The NRL match is live on Fox League Channel 502 at 5.30pm. You can also stream it live on KAYO.
You can listen to the game on MIX (106.3), Radio 2CC Canberra (1206AM) and 666 ABC Canberra.
Round 15 is Beanies for Brain Cancer Round. You can pick up a beanie at the ground from Gate A or D merchandise huts to help support the Mark Hughes Foundation. Or you can buy one from the website here. $25 for adults, $20 for toddlers.
Gates open 2.45pm.
NSW Cup: Dragons vs Raiders 3.05pm
