The Canberra Raiders will travel to Pointsbet Stadium this Sunday for a top-eight clash against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Here are five things to look out forward to:
Road Raiders
The Green Machine will hit the road this week when they take on the Sharks and will look to continue their terrific away game form.
The Raiders have won their last four away games in the back end of the season and for the year are eight and three, only having lost to the Parramatta Eels, Manly Sea Eagles, and the Sydney Roosters.
Canberra will look to continue their form as they head into their last away game for the season.
Sharks Home
Not only are the Raiders deadly when they travel outside the Nation’s capital, but Canberra over the past years have also loved to win at Shark Park.
The last six times they played the Sharks at the newly named Pointsbet Stadium, the Green Machine have won five of those matches.
The Raiders earlier this year held defensively strong against the Sharks defeating them 22-20 at GIO Stadium.
Stopping the G-Train
The Raiders will be looking to stop the Paul Gallon celebrations as he plays his last home game for the Sharks.
The 18-year veteran has played 32 tests for the Kangaroos and 24 games for NSW, he also led the Sharks to their first ever premiership in 2016.
The Sharks skipper will make his 346th appearance this week for the Sharks and will matchup against Englishman Ryan Sutton who will be playing his 19th game in the NRL.
Cronulla will come out strong as they look to secure a final win for Gallon at Shark Park.
Staying Third
Canberra will be hoping to remain in the top four this week, with a win over Cronulla securing the third spot on the ladder.
Canberra, the Manly Sea Eagles, and the South Sydney Rabbitohs all stand on 30 points and will be fighting for the third position.
Cronulla will also be looking to book their spot in the finals, a win over Canberra will lock in a top-eight spot.
Re-Shuffle
The Raiders will go into this week’s game with a couple of changes to the starting line-up.
After taking an early guilty plea at the NRL Judiciary, centre Joey Leilua will miss the final two weeks of the season. Nick Cotric will move back to right centre, while winger Bailey Simonsson will make his return to the starting squad.
Siliva Havili comes onto the interchange bench, with Sam Williams, Emre Guler, Michael Oldfield and Tom Starling named on the extended bench.
