NRL Round 25 Preview and Prediction - Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights @ GIO Stadium
Canberra Raiders (10th) v Newcastle Knights (16th) @ GIO Stadium
Preview - The Raiders will be looking to keep their slim finals’ hopes alive when they take on the last placed Knights at GIO Stadium on Friday night. The Raiders, once again, shot themselves in the foot in what looks to be a season ending 26-22 loss to the Panthers at home on Sunday. The Raiders have now lost 7 games by less than 6 points and look to be now long odds to sneak into the finals, given the number of games in which they have clutched defeat from the jaws of victory. The Knights were brought back to earth last week as the Storm dominated them from start to finish winning 38-12. The Knights, despite their dramatic improvement this year, are now just one loss away from sealing a 3rd straight wooden spoon.
History - The Knights pulled off a big upset over the Raiders earlier this year in Newcastle winning 34-20. The Knights have a great recent record against the Raiders considering their lack of success having taken the Green Machine to Golden Point twice last season for a loss and a draw. Overall the Raiders have won 25 to the Knights 19 with 2 draws.
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - The Raiders have named an unchanged team from the side that went down in heartbreaking fashion to the Panthers last week. Dave Taylor wound back the clock somewhat last week with some powerhouse runs, as he finally starts to find some of the form he showed 4-5 years ago.
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - Brock Lamb is out injured with youngster Jack Cogger coming up in to five eight from the State Cup. Veteran Mickey Paea also wins a place in the side looking for their 6th win of the season. Jaelen Feeney has missed out on a spot in the halves, which could confirm the rumours he could be playing elsewhere next season.
Verdict - Raiders by 10-20 in a high scoring game
The wind was taken out of the Raiders’ sails last week by Penrith, so they could be susceptible here to being a bit flat and down in the dumps after that crucial loss. However, the losses by the Cowboys and Sea Eagles have kept them well and truly in the hunt. So surely the Raiders can get the job done here against a Newcastle side that is finishing the season strongly, but playing for little more than pride. I expect this game to be high scoring with the Knights capable of scoring 3 tries, but I think the Raiders will get 5-6 tries and keep their finals’ hopes alive heading into the final week of the season.