CURRENT POS: 14 POINTS: 16
vs
CURRENT POS: 9 POINTS: 22
Raiders v Broncos | Canberra Stadium | Sat, 1 Aug 2009 17:30
Last week the Green Machine was spluttering… now it’s broken down. Last week the Broncos were limping… now they are facing the veterinarian’s shielding curtain and a shotgun if they don’t find something fast.
This Saturday-afternoon game pits two struggling sides desperate to get something back into their season.
The Raiders, languishing in 14th position on the ladder, basically lost all hope of a fairytale run to the finals when they were taken apart 25-4 by the Wests Tigers last weekend.
They can still push up to 28 competition points if they remain undefeated for the final six rounds, which might be enough to sneak into the top eight – but the chances of that happening are akin to you winning Lotto and Powerball in the same week.
The History
Played 35; Raiders 14, Broncos 20, drawn 1. Brisbane has won five of the past seven matches between the two teams, although the past five have gone on a win-loss trend which, if it continues, points to a Canberra victory.
In the 16 games played at Canberra Stadium Canberra has won eight, Brisbane seven with one draw. Significantly the Broncos haven’t won in Canberra since 2005.
Conclusion
The enthusiasm of youth will keep the Raiders well in this contest, not to mention the paper-thin Brisbane defence. But the Broncos have made a habit of pulling out of Origin hangovers in the past and usually that happens right about now.
With the big guns coming back into the side Brisbane look much stronger and the Raiders gave us no reason to fear them at home with a lacklustre showing last week. They are by no means out of this, but Brisbane has so much more to play for.
Match officials: Referees – Jason Robinson & Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials – Peter Kirby & Mohamad Fajajo; Video Ref – Chris Ward.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live 5.30pm.
Last week the Green Machine was spluttering… now it’s broken down. Last week the Broncos were limping… now they are facing the veterinarian’s shielding curtain and a shotgun if they don’t find something fast.
This Saturday-afternoon game pits two struggling sides desperate to get something back into their season.
The Raiders, languishing in 14th position on the ladder, basically lost all hope of a fairytale run to the finals when they were taken apart 25-4 by the Wests Tigers last weekend.
They can still push up to 28 competition points if they remain undefeated for the final six rounds, which might be enough to sneak into the top eight – but the chances of that happening are akin to you winning Lotto and Powerball in the same week.
The History
Played 35; Raiders 14, Broncos 20, drawn 1. Brisbane has won five of the past seven matches between the two teams, although the past five have gone on a win-loss trend which, if it continues, points to a Canberra victory.
In the 16 games played at Canberra Stadium Canberra has won eight, Brisbane seven with one draw. Significantly the Broncos haven’t won in Canberra since 2005.
Conclusion
The enthusiasm of youth will keep the Raiders well in this contest, not to mention the paper-thin Brisbane defence. But the Broncos have made a habit of pulling out of Origin hangovers in the past and usually that happens right about now.
With the big guns coming back into the side Brisbane look much stronger and the Raiders gave us no reason to fear them at home with a lacklustre showing last week. They are by no means out of this, but Brisbane has so much more to play for.
Match officials: Referees – Jason Robinson & Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials – Peter Kirby & Mohamad Fajajo; Video Ref – Chris Ward.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live 5.30pm.
No comments:
Post a Comment