Round 6 Preview - Canberra Raiders Cup

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Round 6 preview



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For the wrap up of the round results please Click Here

Canberra Raiders Cup Round 6 Preview

There's plenty of footy action locally this weekend to get your fix, with the Raiders having the bye this weekend.

Queanbeyan Kangaroos (1) v Yass Magpies (2)
Saturday at 3:00pm at Freebody Oval

Round six of the Canberra Raiders Cup will see the top of the table clash between the defending premiers, the Queanbeyan Kangaroos and this year’s surprise package, Yass Magpies.

Both sides are undefeated for the year and have set an outstanding standard for the rest of the competition so far this year.

While many pundits expected the Roos to be towards the top of the ladder, not many would have tipped the Magpies to be undefeated after five rounds.

Yass five-eighth Tim Warden believes that improved individual accountability and reinvigorated community pride has been hallmarks of the Magpies’ fabulous start to the year. Warden also credits Coach Mark Bell with aiding to turn around the club’s fortunes.

“Everyone has manned up and taken ownership of their own game,” explained Warden.
“Bell has done a lot the last three years. He’s brought a lot of players back which are all locals and he’s brought a lot of sponsorship on board. He’s built a club with more a ‘Yass’ feel to it rather than from buying people from all over the shop.”

“It’s brought more of a sense of community to the club and has got the community more involved too which is good. We haven’t seen that since 2006 when we did win the grand final.”

Despite their position at the top of the ladder, the Magpies are still flying under the radar in the competition, something that Warden and his side is reveling in during the build up to the ‘finals-like’ showdown.

“We’re happy to go under the radar and we will continue to go under the radar because the other teams will forget about us come the second half of the year when we start again.”

“Although it’s just a round match it does feel like a grand final sort of game. It’s a top of the table clash and we haven’t been in this position since 2006.”

“Queanbeyan will be solid, they always are. If we get on top of them this weekend it will set us up well for the year.

“It’s a chance to undermine their confidence if Yass and the Roos are to meet again later on in the year in the finals and will set things up nicely for the second time around when we meet them at home.”
Yass’ preparation has been enhanced by a visit from Raiders Strength and Conditioning Coach Matt Ford throughout the week.

“Our preparation has been really good. We had Matt Ford from the Raiders come out on Tuesday night to run us through our paces which was really good. Fordy has always been a big part of the club since 2006. He brings a lot of confidence and a lot of people have a lot of respect for Fordy.”

Queanbeyan Roos fullback Daniel Watt has been alarmed at how well Yass are travelling so far this year and has enforced the fact that his side will need to be at their best to match the Magpies.

“I haven’t really seen any of their games this year so I am surprised at how well they’re going. We’re very wary of Yass and how they’re going to approach the game. They’re going to show up ready to play so we’re just going to have to match them as well.”

“There’s definitely a good chance that this is a match that could definitely be replayed later on in the year in the finals. We’re both undefeated so whoever wins this game will be at the top of the ladder. It will be a finals like atmosphere at Queanbeyan. There should be a big crowd out there and a good game of football.”

Gungahlin Bulls (6) v Tuggeranong Bushrangers (7)
Saturday at 3:00pm at West Belconnen Leagues Club

Gungahlin will look to get its second win of the year against Tuggeranong this week in order to keep pace with the top half of the ladder.

The Bulls showed plenty of fighting spirit against the might of the Belconnen Scholars last week and will take plenty of positives out of that match. They will again need young tyro Sheen Lomax to fire for them to be a strong chance of victory.

Tuggeranong were particularly disappointing against the Blues last week and will look to bounce back against the Bulls. A win would see the Bushrangers leapfrog the Bulls on the ladder.

Queanbeyan Blues (4) v Woden Valley Rams (5)
Saturday at 3:00pm at Seiffert Oval

The Blues hit their straps against last weekend disposing of the Bushrangers 42-12 in what should spell danger signs for the inconsistent Rams.

The Rams have plenty of points in them but they will up against a tough opponent this Saturday with the Blues having the best defensive record in the competition.

Central to this is tough prop Mitch Day, who has been a tower of strength for the Blues this year. He was in top notch last week, getting through an enormous workload as well as scoring two tries.

Goulburn Workers Bulldogs (7) v West Belconnen Warriors (8 )
Sunday at 3:00pm at Goulburn Workers Arena

Both sides will be searching for their first win of the season in this encounter at the Goulburn Workers Arena.

Goulburn has struggled for points so far this season and this match could kick-start some attacking combinations for the Bulldogs against the last placed Warriors who are the worst defensive side in the competition.

Belconnen United Scholars have the bye.

Source: Raiders