Preview: Sharks v RaidersVENUE & TIME: Toyota Park - Saturday, July 9, 5.30pm (AEST), 7.30pm (NZT)
COVERAGE: Fox Sports/Sky Sport
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 55 – Sharks 29, Raiders 26
LAST TIME: Round 1, 2011 – Raiders 40-12
WALKING WOUNDED: No fresh injury concerns for the Sharks with Shane Flanagan able to recall international forwards Paul Gallen (Origin duty) and Kade Snowden (back) to his squad. Stuart Flanagan and Josh Cordoba are likely to drop off the six man bench if Gallen comes through Origin unscathed and Snowden overcomes his back complaint.
The Raiders' big win over the Roosters on Monday night was soured with prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs ruled out for the rest of 2011 with a bicep injury. Trevor Thurling and Josh Miller have been named on an extended bench. Fullback Josh Dugan hasn't been named but is a chance to be a late inclusion.
FORM: long-suffering Sharks fans are starting to believe their side are genuine finals contenders following their crushing 26-4 win over South Sydney last weekend, without their inspirational leader Gallen. That's three wins in a row for the Sutherland Shire club for the first time in 2009. While most experts are still skeptical over the Sharks' revival, win this one and there will be a few more believers.
There is a real feeling the Raiders are about to repeat their late season heroics from 2010 and make a late charge for a top eight berth. The Green Machine are still languishing in 13th spot and four points behind the finals position's but David Furner's side have won four of their last six matches, including impressive road wins against Melbourne and the Roosters.
WHO'S HOT: Young Cronulla half Chad Townsend is looking more comfortable in the top grade every week. A star in the Toyota Cup competition, Townsend was given a shot in the NRL a few weeks ago and it's no surprise it has coincided with an up-turn in form for the Sharks. The 20-year-old, who grabbed a try in the win over Souths last weekend, has provided a calming influence alongside Wade Graham in the halves, which has helped the outside backs do their thing with Cronulla scoring 88 points in their last three matches.
Sharks fans won't like reading this but the Raiders are starting to see the best of flyer Blake Ferguson. The former Cronulla back, who opted to leave the club at the end of last season because he wanted to play finals football, is sure to cop a barrage of abuse from fans on Saturday night. And they will be hoping it puts him off his game as Ferguson has been at his devastating best in recent weeks and scored a contender for try of the season last time out.
WE THINK: A few weeks ago this match looked about as appealing as seeing Julia Gillard in a bikini. These two sides were both propping up the table and struggling to scrounge out a win between them. But now this is arguably the match of the round as both the Sharks and Raiders have found some form and have serious designs on the finals. It also means this looms as a make-or-break encounter for both clubs with the winner one step closer to the top eight, while the loser will find it extremely tough to mount a challenge.
The Raiders humiliated the Sharks when the sides met in round one and with their away form getting better every week, the Green Machine should be too strong again.
Raiders by 4TEAMS:Cronulla Sharks: 1 Nathan Gardner, 2 Matthew Wright, 3 Ben Pomeroy, 4 Colin Best, 5 Nathan Stapleton, 6 Wade Graham, 7 Chad Townsend, 8 Kade Snowden, 9 John Morris, 10 Luke Douglas, 11 Jeremy Smith, 12 Jayson Bukuya, 13 Paul Gallen [c].
Interchange: 14 Anthony Tupou, 15 Sam Tagataese, 16 Stuart Flanagan, 17 Taulima Tautai, 18 Johnny Mannah, 20 Josh Cordoba (two to be omitted).
Canberra Raiders: 1 Nathan Massey, 2 Blake Ferguson, 3 Jarrod Croker, 4 Joel Thompson, 5 Reece Robinson, 6 Josh McCrone, 7 Sam Williams, 8 Brett White, 9 Alan Tongue [c], 10 Dane Tilse, 11 Joe Picker, 12 Josh Papalii, 13 Shaun Fensom.
Interchange: 14 Glen Buttriss, 15 Bronson Harrison, 16 Sam Mataora, 17 Trevor Thurling, 18 Josh Miller (one to be omitted).
Source: Sportal
Topic: Preview: Sharks v Raiders
