BY ROB

The annual Raiders “Blue-moon” 8pm Friday night game is upon us once more. This one sees the Green Machine face the Dragons for the second time this season, and the two sides journeys since their first clash couldn’t be more different. Since downing the Dragons 20-14 in round 7 the Raiders have gone on to rack up another seven wins (all of them by single digit margins). The Dragons however have stumbled from one mishap to another. They sacked Griffin, which in turn led to Ben Hunt deciding he’d had enough. They’ve had two narrow wins in that period, and suffered two heavy losses in the last two rounds (letting in 100 points).

Raiders fans will be praying that the Dragons poor form continues. Canberra are the only team in the top 8 on a negative differential (5th on -65!) and desperately need to get above net zero by the end round 27 when the ladder ledgers are properly balanced.

It’s just kind of hard to see how the Milk actually manufacture points, at least in real world terms (we all know how they can do it theoretically). The footy gods of interference have decided to remove some key pieces from the board, with Papa still out and Horse away on Origin duties. The sheer thick-headedness of Fittler and co has returned Hudson to the ranks, a welcome addition for sure.

So what to do against the Red V? The Raiders don’t possess the quick edge shifts that Cronulla deployed to great effect last round, so they’ll need to start by going through the middle, battering the Dragons pack into submission. This will either collapse St. George’s edges inwards in defence or leave the ruck so raggedy that the Raiders can simply start punching holes through it. As always kicking to corners early is welcome, as are Fog’s increasingly erratic but well targeted bombs.

Perhaps the most important factor for Canberra is the second half slump. So often this year they seem to shut down attack-wise, defending three try leads that are quickly whittled away. It’d be really nice to see the gloves come off and just watch the men in green run in a barrage of meat pies. Fingers crossed that the Dragons don’t rebound after last week’s effort.

Team list thoughts

Various senior outs mean a few junior ins! Ata Mariota gets yet another chance to impress and is joined by Trey Mooney and Peter Hola. Ata picks up the starting lock position (which he won’t play, but we assume Joey Taps will), with Guler pairing Tapine at prop. Mooney and Hola occupy two bench spots and hopefully Stick will deploy them properly rather than making one of them ride the pine for 80 minutes (sorry Cotric).

All the changes are happening up front which means the Raiders benefit from a bit of backline stability, a luxury the Dragons don’t have.

Match-ups

Seb Kris vs Paul Turner.

With Tyrell Sloan sidelined the Dragons have ushered Turner into the #1. I have literally no knowledge of Turner, and I assume he’s been unceremoniously plucked from NSWcup to cover the Dragons ongoing injury toll. Seb Kris meanwhile has just been extended at the Raiders, an appropriate reward for his effort and indeed development in what has been arguably the hardest year of his career. He’s not a razzle fullback by any means but his efforts week on week can’t be faulted.

Trey Mooney vs Expectations.

Is this the game where Mooney finally gets his chance to shine? He’s been killing it in cup, when not sidelined with injury, and in the eyes of most is a guaranteed future prospect for the Raiders. I’d love for nothing more than for him to step it up a gear on Friday night.

Predictions

The Raiders need this to be a blowout game in their favour. If they can break the Dragons spirit early they stand a chance of landing a margin in double digits. They need to be wary of a Dragon’s shame rebound, but I think this time out they might be able to turn something on (don’t yell at me if they don’t!)

Raiders by 24!

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