NRL Round 2 Preview and Prediction - Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks @ GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks @ GIO Stadium
 
Preview - The defending Premiers will be desperate to not get off to a 0-2 start when they travel to Canberra to take on the Raiders at GIO Stadium on Saturday night. The Raiders will also be looking for their first win of the season after a heartbreaking 17-16 loss in Golden Point against the Cowboys at 1300 Smiles Stadium in Townsville last Saturday night. The Sharks showed glimpses of their best, particularly with the football, in their 26-18 home loss to the Broncos. However, they had some real lapses in defence and their line speed didn't look anywhere near as manic and aggressive is it was through most parts of 2016. The Raiders showed some real defensive grit and steel against the Cowboys, having been on the wrong end of an 11-4 penalty count and having had a player sent to the sin bin, they defended both desperately and systematically. To me, this was the biggest area of the game they needed to improve upon in 2016, and having had some key players missing in Round 1, I think the signs are positive for the Green Machine. 
 
History - These 2 sides have traded victories over the past 10 games with 5 victories for each side. However, somewhat surprisingly, the away side has won each of the last 7 games, which is an incredible record when you think about it. Last season, the Sharks were dominant 40-16 winners against the Raiders in the regular season, before an epic 14-12 Semi-Final victory at GIO Stadium, where they came from 12 points down to mount a famous comeback. The Raiders, however, did beat the Sharks late in the regular season, winning by 30-14. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - The Raiders get a couple of key inclusions with fullback Jack Wighton back from illness, and Junior Paulo back from suspension. However, they have lost prop Clay Priest to suspension, as well as having boom young forward Joseph Tapine out with a finger injury. The Raiders never really got great field possession last week, however will be looking for a bit of a more disciplined performance both with the football and in terms of their penalty count. 
 
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - The Sharks have been given another blow at fullback heading into this game with Gerard Beale ruled out through injury. With Head Coach Shane Flanagan refusing to rush back Valentine Holmes, it looks as if Jack Bird will shift to fullback with Kurt Capewell a chance of replacing him in the centres. The Sharks turned over too much cheap ball against the Broncos, however still looked dangerous in attack on occasions. I was impressed at how hard their back rowers, Luke Lewis and Wade Graham, hit holes and I’m sure they will be looking to target that edge of the Raiders defence that can be a bit flimsy from time to time. 
 
Verdict - Raiders by 6-12 in a high scoring game  
 
I just think there was more to like about the Raiders performance in Week 1 than the Sharks. I know the Sharks won both games last season at GIO Stadium, however if anything I think that gives Ricky Stuart and the Raiders some real motivation to try and settle some scores here. I think the Raiders will be boosted by the return of Wighton and Paulo up front, whilst the Sharks are still looking a bit experimental in 2 key positions in the spine at fullback and hooker. I’m expecting this game to be quite high scoring with both sides having plenty of attacking threat. I think the ruck speed will be fast with GIO Stadium in Canberra being one of the faster tracks in the game. I think if the Sharks can’t improve their line speed here, this big Raiders’ pack can get on top, which will allow plenty of space for their outside backs to dominate. I just think at this point of the season the Raiders have a more settled side, and it might take Cronulla a few losses to right the ship and start playing with the same fluency, aggression and desperation.