VENUE & TIME: Canberra Stadium, Sunday July 5, 2.00pm (AEST).
COVERAGE: Fox Sports 2
LAST TIME: Titans 16 - Raiders 10 at Skilled Park, Round 6, 2009.
WALKING WOUNDED: The Raiders remain unchanged for this clash, while the Titans welcome back five-eighth Mat Rogers from a rib injury and Celtic Crusaders-bound winger Chris Walker (migraine). Forwards Ash Harrison (ribs), Luke Bailey (broken arm) and Mark Minichiello (knee) are on track for a return next week.
FORM: The Raiders kept their slim finals chances alive with an upset 26-16 defeat of their nemesis the Storm at home on Sunday. It was a return to the type of footy we saw the Green Machine produce at the back-end of last season and they are now just two wins out of the top-eight as a result. The key now is for some consistency.
The Titans were a lot more convincing against the Warriors last Saturday night than they were against the Roosters the week previous. Minus a host of quality players, the Gold Coast played solidly up the middle and scored some long-range tries to come away with a gutsy 28-12 win. We've been waiting for the customary mid-season capitulation from these guys and it hasn't occurred. A top-four finish beckons.
WHO'S HOT: Joel Monaghan was in doubt for the Raiders last Sunday with a corked thigh suffered in Origin II, but he showed no ill-effects to be the most damaging back on the field against the Storm. Scored two tries down the right-edge and played a role in another to produce his most effective club performance of the season. Former Raider William Zillman returned to his attacking best last Saturday night to finish with 182m from the back for the Titans. Unfortunately for the elusive speedster he returns to the interchange bench this week to accommodate Preston Campbell's shift back to the custodians' role.
WE THINK: The Titans are still down three of their more potent forwards, opening up an opportunity for the Raiders' big pack to make some headway up the middle in the same fashion they did against the Storm last week. It was a classic Raiders performance and one that is sure to give them confidence for what should be another battle for finals survival on Sunday. The Titans are well-entrenched in the top-four and may be due for a fall. Raiders by 6.
TEAMS
Canberra Raiders:
1.Josh Dugan, 2. Justin Carney, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Joel Monaghan, 5. Phil Graham, 6. Terry Campese, 7. Marc Herbert, 8. David Shillington, 9. Glen Buttriss, 10. Troy Thompson, 11. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, 12. Bronson Harrison, 13. Alan Tongue [c].
Interchange: 14. Trevor Thurling, 15. Nigel Plum, 16. Josh Miller, 17. Dane Tilse.
Gold Coast Titans:
1.Preston Campbell, 2. Kevin Gordon, 3. Esi Tonga, 4. Brett Delaney, 5. Chris Walker, 6. Mat Rogers, 7. Scott Prince [c], 8. Matthew White, 9. Nathan Friend, 10. Michael Henderson, 11. Anthony Laffranchi, 12. Brad Meyers, 13. Daniel Conn.
Interchange: 14. Aaron Cannings, 15. Will Matthews, 16. Josh Graham, 17. William Zillman, 18. David Mead (one to be omitted).
Referees: Gavin Badger & Chris James