After a rare win over the Cowboys and a spirited performance against the Roosters in rounds 11 and 12 respectively, more was expected from the Raiders when they hosted the Broncos in round 13.
The Raiders were defeated 28 – 4, their fifth loss from the past six rounds, and never looked likely to worry the Brisbane side who clinched their fourth straight win.
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Their one try came to Shaun Fenson in the 69th minute, meaning that in their past two games, both against teams inside the top eight, the Raiders have only managed a combined total of 16 points.
Up against another top eight side here and one of the leading defensive teams in the competition this week, more in attack will have to be produced if they are to be competitive.
Josh Papalii and Paul Vaughan are out for the Raiders with Jake Foster starting in the back row.
BULLDOGS
The Origin period, injuries and a tough draw, have combined to hit the Bulldogs hard in the past month, with the one time competition leaders having now slid to sixth on the ladder after recording their third straight loss against Parramatta last weekend – 22 – 12.
The Bulldogs were without their regular halves and it was evident in attack as their replacements, Josh Jackson and Damien Cook, struggled to create opportunities for their side that remained scoreless in the first half.
The regular halves, Hodkinson and Reynolds, have been named in the starting line up for this clash after backing up from Wednesday night.
This will be the first side in a month that the Bulldogs have faced that haven’t been inside the top eight. That fact, combined with the return of key players, should see the Bulldogs able to return to the winner’s stall.
HEAD TO HEAD
In the six games played between the two sides since 2010, the ledger is surprisingly split at three wins a piece.
Like-wise, four of those games have been in Canberra where each side has won two.
Plenty points are also scored when these two sides meet, with four of the last six contests producing 40 points or more.
A good start is imperative to the Raiders’ chances. It gives them the confidence they need to go on with the job but against a stronger Dogs side, who defensively are strong, the opportunities will be limited for the Raiders and it’s hard to see them creating enough points to out-do the Dogs.
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TOTAL POINTS OVER.
Teams:
RAIDERS: 1. Anthony Milford 2. Matthew Allwood 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Jack Wighton 5. Sami Sauiluma 6. Terry Campese 7. Josh McCrone 8. David Shillington 9. Glen Buttriss 10. Brett White 11. Jake Foster 12. Jarrad Kennedy 13. Shaun Fensom 14. Mitch Cornish 15. Kyle O’Donnell 16. Dane Tilse 17. Shannon Boyd.
BULLDOGS: 1. Mitch Brown 2. Corey Thompson 3. Krisnan Inu 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Drury Low 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Sam Kasiano 9. Michael Ennis 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Tony Williams 13. Greg Eastwood 14. Dale Finucane 15. Tim Browne 16. Pat O’Hanlon 17. Reni Maitua 22. Lloyd Perrett.
