BY ROB

The Raiders hop the ditch this week for the second half of their season opening travels, facing off a Warriors outfit no doubt emboldened by a strong win over the Roosters.

The Raiders escaped fortress Brookvale by the skin of their teeth last round, sneaking past Manly courtesy of a cool-as-cucumber golden point field goal from Ethan Sanders.

The Wahs dismantled Sydney 42-18, using every method possible to rack up tries. They scored through set plays. They scored off bungled set plays. They scored off cross-field chips and globetrotter style passes. When they defended they defused the Roosters multiple times through intercepts. Most of all they played with a directness and a power that Canberra will do well to match through the middle. Jackson Ford was a standout, and should be a focus for the defensive effort.

The Raiders meanwhile will be keenly aware that they need to switch on for the entirety of Friday night’s game or risk the same fate as the Tri-colours. Canberra are coming off extra-point, extra-travel and an opponent with an extra day’s rest. It’s hardly ideal preparation, which is perhaps why they never came back to Canberra after the win over the Sea-Eagles.

For an extra degree of difficulty the Milk will be without the services of Papa, who is sidelined due to the concussion protocol. Papa’s absence sees Morgan Smithies elevated to starting prop, with youngster Joe Roddy added to the bench to maintain the forward stocks.

Coach Stuart has been guarded about whether it is he, or Matt Timoko, who get use off the bench, suggesting in his ‘Çoaches Comment’ that it will come down to game circumstance. Given how games are influenced by the referees, that would increase the likelihood of Joey Two Tries getting a run.

The battle of the halves should be a highlight for fans, as both Sanders and Boyd excelled in round 1. In their current set-ups they share a similar role, and defenders either side of the ruck will need to be wary of these two turning the attack on an angle and finding runners in space.

The other challenge for the Warriors is containing Noah Martin. The Mullet Magnificent terrorised Manly’s left flank and he’s clearly got the footwork and raw power to leave flaky defenders grasping at thin air. More importantly last week was his defence, and if he can repeat his 40 odd tackles without a miss then it will go a long way to supporting victory.

But this game will be determined in the middle. The rules changes mean crashing through the middle in the cycle of the game is hugely determinative of victory. Canberra did it for the sixty minutes the referee kept his whistle in his pocket. They struggled as soon as the referee got involved again. Given the referees have been given an imprimatur from the league to ruin the game, the Raiders will need to hyper disciplined.

In Conclusion

If the Raiders can nab two wins away they’ll be well placed to host the Dogs in round 3. The Warriors won’t make it easy, but they rarely ever do.

Raiders by another Martin double!

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