BY ROB

Even as we let the joy of Sunday’s win wash over us next Sunday looms into view. The Raiders triumphant win over the Eels was the perfect rebuttal of their dour collapse against the Sharks a week earlier. Now they must demonstrate consistency.

The Eels game wasn’t without attrition. The fallout sees Rapana and Horsburgh sidelined for a minimum of six weeks apiece, Rapana for a meniscus tear and Horsburgh with a groin injury. Injuries such as these would’ve sent fans into panic mode in years prior. The ’24 Raiders are able to reach into their bag of depth and scoop out some youngsters to plug the gaps, with Trey Mooney making a long overdue return to the NRL while Chevy Stewart gets his debut jersey.

Rapana’s absence is the key issue for the men in green. He symbolises perseverance beyond measure, something that Sticky must imprint on the back five between now and Sunday evening. Each of them will have to dig a little bit deeper for that extra carry, those extra post contact steps or covering edge tackles. With Jordy out Timoko and Kris are now the veterans in the backline and they’ll need to play accordingly.

Game plan wise last week’s format with ten percent extra effort seems the best way to go. Like the Eels in Canberra, the Titans were almost helpless in the face of the Cowboys persistent edge raids. What the Milk do need to be aware of is the opposition’s ball control: the Titans coughed up just 6 errors compared to the Eels’ 10 in round 5. Expect Fogarty to launch more of those towering kicks in an attempt to target the Titan’s less than stellar kick defusal. Those early shifts are integral too, particularly if the Green Machine are looking to test edge defenders. Timoko, Kris, Savage and Schiller are really beginning to bind on either side, and early ball can provide that overlap that suddenly has opposition edges caught in a backpedaling slide.

Changes

As noted above Rapa and Big Red have a considerable absence from the top 17. There is some good news on top of Mooney and Stewart, with Zac Hosking making a welcome return after completing his 11 day protocol for concussion. He’ll take up the starting second row spot that sees him square off against David Fifita, so let’s hope he’s fresh and on point. Ata Mariota drops back to the bench after his tremendous effort playing on the edge last round.

The Opposition

The Titans are currently neck and neck with the Bunnies in the “Horror start to the season stakes”, separated by the Bunnies actually having a win to their name (due to the bye system the Titans sit above Souths who are last). As Raiders fans well know a struggling team can be a dangerous thing when cornered, and all too often we’ve gone into a “foregone conclusion” match only to discover it’s the other team’s resurrection round. The Raiders need to be extra mindful of Fifita firing up in the edge channel like he did when here last year.

Match-ups

Ethan Strange vs Kieran Foran

The Raiders rookie up against the Titans wise old journeyman. Strange is starting to reach an almost exponential level of growth with each new game, switching effortlessly between attack and defence. He is one of the reasons the Raiders find themselves capable of getting early ball to edges in 2024. Foran has travelled a long and winding road in the NRL. While he may not have reached the premiership heights of his original Manly stint he has more than enough guile and cunning to either pop a runner into space with the right pass, go himself or get a kick in behind the line in the red zone.

Chevy Stewart vs Jayden Campbell

All eyes will be on young Stewart when he steps out in front of the home fans on Sunday, and if his Cup form is anything to go by then the #1 jersey should be in safe hands. He’s an excellent support runner, and knows how to pop up at just the right time to exploit defensive lapses. Campbell, much like his father, makes up for his slight(ish) build with speed and a rugged determination. The Raiders can’t allow him room to move.

Rookie Radar

Simi Sasagi held the mantle of newest Raider for just a week, with Stewart becoming Raider #396 on the all-time list. The youngster needs to be given a bit of clear air, as even the greatest proteges need to acclimatise to the top grade. Thankfully he’s got a strong, vibrant squad around him to help him make the leap.

In Conclusion

The Titans are always an unknown quantity when they travel to Canberra, sometimes they fold and other times they fold the Raiders. Look for the Green Machine to move them around the field early on, kicking for position or poking holes in edges.

Raiders by 13+

You can follow Rob on Twitter here. Or you can do us a solid and like our page on Facebook,  or share this on social media. Don’t hesitate to send us feedback (dan@sportress.org) or comment below if you think we are stupid. Or if we’re not.