Tongue energises resurgent Raiders

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Tongue energises resurgent Raiders

Canberra captain Alan Tongue has challenged his resurgent Raiders to delve deep into their energy reserves to secure two precious premiership points.



Buoyed by second-rower Joe Picker's return from injury and last week's shock upset of the Melbourne Storm, the Raiders round off a hectic 12 days when they host the seventh-placed Canterbury Bulldogs (5-4) at Canberra Stadium tonight.

After tonight, the Raiders have two games in the next month, with a pair of byes sitting either side of games against the Cowboys at home and the Broncos away.

It's a much-needed break after back-to-back road trips to Brookvale Oval and AAMI Park.

Last Saturday's 20-12 victory against the Storm ended an eight-game losing streak.

However, the Raiders remain on the bottom of the ladder with two wins from 10 starts.

Tongue was acutely aware the next month would determine if a miracle comeback remained a possibility.

''It's a chance to really get our season back on track,'' Tongue said.

''We just need to do whatever we can to get this win [tonight].

''We can't look ahead in two, three, four weeks time, the two byes or anything like that.

''If we don't win [tonight] it makes it all irrelevant and takes the shine off the win we had last week.

''When you build that confidence you have got to hang on to it and you have got to bottle it and you have got to build it up again and produce it on a short turnaround.

''We've got to make sure our energy's right and we stick to our game plan.''

The Raiders' quest to string together consecutive victories got a boost yesterday when Picker was given the green light for his first match since damaging his ankle in the round six loss to the Cowboys.

Picker will go straight into the starting line-up, with Danny Galea ruled out after failing to pass a fitness test on his hamstring.

While impressed with Galea's performances in the past fortnight, Raiders coach David Furner was pleased to have Picker back at his disposal.

''Joey wants to get back to his form of last year, when he was a very aggressive defender and hard runner,'' Furner said.

''He's had a stop-start season with a couple of injuries.

''DG was unlucky.

''He would've held his spot after his last two weeks, especially last week, he was very solid.''

Picker will resume his combination with Jarrod Croker and Sam Williams in Canberra's left-edge defence.

It's a side of the field the Bulldogs are certain to target, as they aim to unleash rampaging centre Jamal Idris upon the Raiders.

Despite making his international debut in last month's Test against New Zealand, Idris was overlooked for the NSW side for next week's State of Origin series opener.

He has spent the week in camp with the Blues as 18th man, but was understood to have travelled with the Bulldogs south to Canberra yesterday.

Canterbury centre Josh Morris and prop Aiden Tolman were also close to gaining Origin selection.

Tongue believed their omissions from Ricky Stuart's squad could spell trouble for the Raiders.

''They'll probably be playing with a little more purpose than they had, although they are consistent performers,'' he said.

''Idris will have a point to prove.''

Nathan Massey makes his second top-grade appearance for the Raiders in place of Blues fullback Josh Dugan.

Origin commitments have also affected the Bulldogs, with uncapped 22-year-old Josh Reynolds making his NRL debut as cover for NSW hooker Michael Ennis.

Meanwhile, the Canberra Raiders' board will convene this afternoon for one of about 12 meetings during the season.

Source: The Canberra Times