Match day guide and preview for the Canberra Raiders NRL round 21 game against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Who, when and where?
Canberra Raiders vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Friday 6 August, 6pm
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast QLD
Head-to-head record: Played 34. Raiders 20 wins. Dragons 12 wins. 2 draws.
Ladder position and recent form
Canberra Raiders 10th | 383 points for | 465 points against | 8 wins & 11 losses | LWWWL
The Raiders three-match win streak came to an end with a disappointing 34-24 loss to the Knights.
Canberra’s defence was so good the week before against the Eels, but the Knights scored with ease early on, slicing through the Raiders right edge defence at will.
The Raiders need to win this to play finals, but even if they do sneak into the 8, they’ll most likely just be making up the numbers.
St George Illawarra Dragons 11th | 382 points for | 464 points against | 8 wins & 11 losses | LLLWW
The Dragons season is quickly slipping away with three straight losses seeing them drop out of the eight.
The infamous BBQ at Paul Vaughan’s house that saw many of their first-grade team cop suspensions has really hurt the club with back-to-back thumping’s against the Titans and Rabbitohs.
They get that suspended bunch back this and after beating the Raiders in a close match just five weeks ago, they’d like their chances of causing an upset.
Raiders and Dragons team lists
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have lost Sebastian Kris to concussion with Matt Timoko to start at centre and Elijah Anderson to make his NRL off the bench.
Ryan Sutton returns at lock with Hudson Young shifting to the second row and Corey Harawira-Naera relegated to the bench.
St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons have made a host of changes with Jack Bird, Jack De Belin, Josh McGuire, Mikaela Ravalawa, Blake Lawrie and Zac Lomax all returning to the side.
Matt Dufty and Daniel Alvaro have been named on the reserves while Ben Hunt is out with a fractured arm.
Last 5 meetings
- 2021 Round 15: Dragons 22 – 20 Raiders at WIN Stadium
- 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 – 18 Raiders at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
The Dragons snapped a three-game losing streak against Canberra with a comeback win earlier this season.
However, Ben Hunt was the man who led them to victory so the Dragons will need others to step up in his absense.
The players to watch
Raiders – Matt Timoko
Timoko finally gets another chance to start in the centres with Kris out and has a shot to keep that spot with a strong showing.
He looked dynamic in his first start this year against the Broncos before a quieter second game against the Dragons.
He then made way for the returning Jarrod Croker before making his way back onto the bench.
The Raiders have lacked attacking potency this year and if given enough opportunity, Timoko could be the one to break the Dragons defence open.
Dragons – Jack Bird
Bird comes back into the side and has been named at fullback with Dufty left out of the 17.
He’s been solid playing in the centres this season, but there’s a big step up in work rate to play fullback.
Bird should be able to run the ball back strongly and is a good ball player for his size, but the Raiders could take advantage late in the game if his fitness isn’t up to scratch.
Pre match predictions
Flightless Bird: Jack Bird to struggle at fullback with no tries or try assists.
Right wing agenda: Canberra’s right edge of Matt Timoko and Harley Smith-Shields to score three tries between them.
Other match details
Due to the lockdown in South East Queensland, the match will be played with no crowds.
The match will be broadcast live on Fox League channel 502 at 6pm. It is also available to stream on Kayo.
You can listen to the match on Raiders on Mix – Mix106.3 FM, Radio 2CC – 1206 AM and ABC Grandstand – 666 ABC AM.
Click here for more match day information including the virtual Viking Clap and Maccas Power Play.
