NRL.com match preview: Round 16 v Raiders
St George Illawarra will be looking to consolidate their spot in the top eight and potentially go four competition points clear of ninth when they host the Raiders at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
The Dragons are two points head of the Roosters on the Telstra Premiership ladder with the Tricolours taking on Penrith at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night.
Canberra got out of jail with a last-minute win over Newcastle before the representative round break and will be looking to stay within reach out the top eight after an inconsistent season.
The Raiders have won three of their past five games in a W-L-W-L-W pattern but with only nine games left in the regular season they can ill-afford to continue the trend.
The two sides met twice in 2021 with the Raiders winning the latest clash between them 20-12 in August last year.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Dragons v Raiders
The Rundown
Team news
Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Skipper Ben Hunt is good to go despite picking up a leg injury in Origin Two. Jaiyden Hunt is the 18th Man.
Raiders: Ryan Sutton has been promoted to the starting side on game day with Adam Elliott reverting to the bench.
Jack Wighton (COVID protocols) will return to the side, with Matt Frawley in the reserves. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been named to return from a hamstring injury on the bench, replacing James Schiller who faces 2-3 weeks out with a shoulder injury suffered against the Knights.
Match: Dragons v Raiders
Round 16 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Cody RamseyFullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew FeagaiWinger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese SuliCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac LomaxCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele RavalawaWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau AmoneFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Jack De BelinProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCulloughHooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake LawrieProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jack Bird2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tariq SimsLock for Raiders is number 15 Ryan Sutton
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Moses MbyeInterchange for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Francis MoloInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Aaron WoodsInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Michael MoloInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Horsburgh
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 21 Jaiyden HuntReplacement for Raiders is number 20 Trey Mooney
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key match-up
Cody Ramsey v Xavier Savage: Both fresh into the NRL and learning on the run but equally as entertaining at the back. Ramsey has made the fullback spot his own in recent weeks after coach Anthony Griffin tinkered with Moses Mbye in the No.1 jersey previously. Ramsey isn't your traditional fullback but with more games played his skill level at the back is strongly developing. Savage is having a rollercoaster year and while he's not the complete product yet his ability in attack is as entertaining as anyone in the game.
Stat Attack
Ben Hunt's influence on the side is evident with the Maroons playmaker enjoying a season that reflected his Dally M leader status after round 12. Hunt is in the top five for total kick metres with 5810 while he's also level with Nathan Cleary on 40/20 kicks with three. He continues to lead the NRL with line engagement, totalling 149 for the year.
Match: Dragons v Raiders
Round 16 -
home Team
Dragons
9th Position
away Team
Raiders
11th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
