Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm

[Archie]

Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm

Canberra Stadium, Sunday 2pm (AEST)
Last meeting: Round 10 2011 - Raiders 20 bt Storm 12 at AAMI Park
Stats: Head-to-head
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Adam Devcich
TV: Live, FoxSports 2
TAB Sportsbet: Raiders $2.35 Storm $1.58
FootyTab: Raiders +2.5



Greg Prichard writes: The Raiders caused one of the biggest upsets of the season back in round 10, when they beat the Storm in Melbourne. They had lost eight in a row before that. But unfortunately for the Raiders that win wasn't the start of something big. They won again the week after that, but then lost two in a row to set themselves back again. Next, they won two in a row again, but last week, when they desperately needed to keep that run going, they were clearly outpointed on the road against the Sharks. They are playing for pride now, with their finals hopes dashed.

The Storm are on top of the table, and deservedly so. That loss to the Raiders at home was an obvious hiccup, but they haven't had many. On the three occasions they have lost this season, they have bounced straight back to win the following week. Right now, they are on a six-game winning streak. Last week, they beat the Bulldogs in Adelaide. The Storm's hard core of superstars are firing, and coach Craig Bellamy is getting the best out of the supporting cast. All in all, it is making for a great team effort and the Storm will start clear favourites here, despite being on the road.

RAIDERS: Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Daniel Vidot, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, Brett White, Alan Tongue (capt), Dane Tilse, Danny Galea, Bronson Harrison, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Glen Buttriss, Joe Picker, Sam Mataora, Trevor Thurling, Josh Miller (one to be omitted).

STORM: Billy Slater, Matthew Duffie, Dane Nielsen, Maurice Blair, Sisa Waqa, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Kevin Proctor, Sika Manu, Adam Blair, Bryan Norrie, Cameron Smith (capt), Jesse Bromwich. Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Adam Woolnough, Jaiman Lowe.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald