NRL Round 18 Preview - Raiders v Cowboys @ GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys @ Canberra Stadium
 
Preview - The Raiders will be looking to keep their finals hopes alive as they host the struggling Cowboys at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. Ricky Stuart’s men finally got some joy in a close game as they scored three tries in the final six minutes to overhaul the Bulldogs 32-28, in a game that looked dead and buried. The Cowboys went down 21-20 in heartbreaking circumstances to the Rabbitohs, despite one of their better performances of the year. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - Ricky Stuart welcomes back strike winger  Jordan Rapana from injury, with Nick Cotric switching to fullback. Josh Papalii returns at lock, Siliva Havili moves to the bench, and Junior Paulo starts at prop. Blake Austin retains the bench utility role after his dynamic display against the Bulldogs.
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess have been named to back up from Origin. John Asiata returns at prop from injury, with Corey Jensen moving back to the bench. 
 
Verdict – Raiders by 4-12

I’ll take the Raiders again here, but they’re hardly a team that inspires much faith and confidence. They were very lucky to win last week, and whilst the Cowboys are travelling ordinary, they are always competitive and won’t beat themselves. Surely with the Raiders’ finals hopes alive on a cold Saturday night, they can get the job done, but like most Raiders’ games expect it to be decided in the final 10 minutes.