Sharks to make a Sunday ‘raid’ on the National Capital

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Sat 18 Mar 2023, 05:58 PM

There were a few heart-stopping moments towards the end, however in the final washup it was a narrow win over the Eels in what was an important victory to kick start the Sharks 2023 season.

Following a slow beginning to the contest last week, the Sharks dropping behind 10-0 before fighting their way back and in fact taking a 10-point lead of their own into the final minutes of the match, there were glimpses of some of their best football, coupled with aspects coach Craig Fitzgibbon will be keen to rectify.

Will Kennedy was brilliant at the back, scoring three tries in igniting his team’s attack, Braydon Trindall was solid in the halves for the second week in succession, while the forwards holding their own against a strong Eels pack.

Toby Rudolf was one to stand up in the Eels clash, with the Sharks prop aware he has another big role to play again this Sunday should his team hope to come away with the points.

“The Raiders are an outstanding side and the forward pack is a reason for that,” Rudolf said. “Blokes like Joe Tapine, Tom Starling is a gun out of hooker and there’s a lot of firepower on their edges as well.

“We’ll do whatever we an to contain them and to play our footy at the same time and do our best to get the result.”

While Nicho Hynes and Wade Graham will be missing, Hynes with a calf strain and Graham due to a suspension, the Sharks report no significant changes to their line up for the game at GIO Stadium.

Trindall again partners Matt Moylan in the Sharks halves, with in the only minor alteration to the squad Jack Williams returns on the interchange bench after missing the Eels game due to a concussion suffered in round one.

The overall head-to-head numbers are tight, with the Raiders edging out the Sharks by just one game with 40 wins as compared to 39 in the 79 matches played, however in more recent times it has been all Canberra. In what represents the longest winning streak in the match up and also the Raiders longest against any NRL club, the Canberra team has won the past eight encounters.

Four of the last six matches have been decided by double figure margins, while the Raiders have kept the Sharks to 20 points or less in their last five wins. At GIO Stadium the Raiders have won the past three matches against the Sharks.

Sunday will be Canberra’s first game on home soil in 2023, the Raiders winning eight of 11 matches at GIO last year, while the Sharks away record is a reasonable one, the Cronulla side successful in nine of its past 11 games away from PointsBet Stadium, included amongst those the round two victory over Parramatta at CommBank Stadium last Friday night.

After that win over the Eels the Sharks come into the contest on two competition points with a one and one record, with the Raiders looking for their first victory of 2023 following narrow losses to the Cowboys and Dolphins at their first two outings.

In relation to player milestones, Jesse Ramien plays his 100th NRL game, with Sunday to be his 83rd match for the Sharks, added to 17 appearances for the Knights. His top-grade debut was in Cronulla colours in a round 26 game against Newcastle.

As for the coaches, Craig Fitzgibbon played under this week’s rival in Ricky Stuart when at the Roosters from 2002-2006, with the now Canberra coach in charge of Cronulla from 2007-2010 where he won 38 of 91 matches (42% win rate) and took the team to the 2008 Preliminary Final.

The Sharks v Raiders match is scheduled for a 6.15pm kick off at GIO Stadium tomorrow night, with the two 19-man squads listed below.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Sunday 19 Mar

Full Time

Raiders

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Albert Hopoate

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Harley Smith-Shields

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
Winger for Raiders is number 20 James Schiller

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Raiders is number 17 Emre Guler

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Harawira-Naera

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Trey Mooney

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jack Williams