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Sydney Roosters vs. Canberra Raiders – Match Preview
After a horrible return back to the losing list, the Sydney Roosters take on a side who managed to win their first game away from home this season. While this match will be important for both teams to get the two points, it's Todd Carney who will get the headlines when he takes on his old club at his new home ground.
Alleluia! A break from Channel 9
The Roosters will finally get their first game of the season that will not be covered by the Channel 9 commentary team, who have recently come under fire from many Roosters supporters (inclusive of the ones on the Chookpen forum) over the way they talk about the Roosters team. Hopefully they can now play pressure-free and scintillating football like they did in rounds 1 and 2.
The Carnage Boost and Payback
Todd Carney gave the Roosters all something to smile about on Wednesday morning when he was doing a live blog on the Daily Telegraph’s website. A few users asked questions about whether he wants to move back to Canberra to play at the Raiders, but he replied with this:
“I have signed a 3 year deal at the Roosters and I don’t think I will play there. I’m pretty focused on staying at the Roosters,” and “I am contracted for 3 years mate - and I won’t be going anywhere for now. I am hoping to stay long term too.”
In saying this, and given his recent form, the Roosters should snatch at the opportunity and give him a long term contract, as I’m sure almost everyone (Roosters fans) will agree with.
After expressing his disappointment in the same blog that he was disappointed that the Raiders didn’t at least let him play at one of their feeder clubs, everyone should be expecting a big show from the young man, and hopefully give his new team another over his old one.
Form Guide
Sydney Roosters
April 11, 2010 –Penrith Panthers 28 def. Sydney Roosters 6
April 2, 2010 – Sydney Roosters 25 def. Brisbane Broncos 6
March 28, 2010 – Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 60 def. Sydney Roosters 14
March 22, 2010 – Sydney Roosters 44 def. Wests Tigers 32
March 14, 2010 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 def. by Sydney Roosters 36
Canberra Raiders
April 12, 2010 – Parramatta Eels 14 def. by Canberra Raiders 24
April 4, 2010 – Canberra Raiders 22 def. by Wests Tigers 35
March 27, 2010 – Gold Coast Titans 24 def. Canberra Raiders 4
March 22, 2010 – Canberra Raiders 22 def. Brisbane Broncos 14
March 13, 2010 – Penrith Panthers 34 def. Canberra Raiders 16
Head to Head
Played: 48
Sydney Roosters Wins: 26
Canberra Raiders Wins: 22
Drawn: 0
Last Match:
March 22, 2009 – Canberra Raiders 4 def. by Sydney Roosters 28
Team News
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters have been hurt with the news that James Aubusson will spend 2-4 weeks on the sideline, although can cheer with a return coming at the same time. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been announced fit to play and will take jersey #16 and come off the bench, but don’t be surprised to see him start.
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have no fresh injury concerns to worry about and have stuck solid to the squad that took the pitch against the Eels.
How they line up
Players to Watch
Sydney Roosters – Todd Carney
AS IF HE WOULDN’T BE! Todd Carney wants this game to go as plan, as do the rest of the team, and get two points over his former employers. He has been in awesome form so far this year, picking up 8 Dally M points in the process and is in equal second place, only 1 behind the in-form Isaac Luke. Expect Carney to have a world class game.
Canberra Raiders – Terry Campese
Todd Carney’s replacement has been by far Canberra’s best player so far this season, and the way he’s going, he won’t be pipped by any other player. He has been an integral part of his team and will no doubt want to get one over his mate at the SFS and grab his team another away victory.
Mouth-watering Match Ups
Todd Carney vs. Josh Dugan
It’s the title for battle of the speedsters up for grabs as Carney and Dugan, two extremely important players for their respective teams try to get their team the best possible chance of winning. Dugan has done a very important job for his team, managing 808 metres and getting his team up the pitch this season, while Carney is able to rely on the rest of his backline, especially his right side, with the three averaging 640 metres each. Expect both to have some awesome moments.
Phil Graham vs. Joel Thompson
“Todd! It’s my old team too!” Phil Graham also plays against his former side this week after playing his older centre pair last week and will be determined to do much better this week. His defence has been tough to contend with this season, and his attack a whole lot better, expect this battle to be very heated.
What the Chookpen forum members thinkChookpen forum members were polled on the result of the match, with just over 75% going for a Roosters win with just over 45% overall going for the win by 1-12 points. They were also asked on their predictions on the match, who to watch out for and what each team needs to do to get the win. Here were the pick of the responses:
“If the Roosters want to bounce back from Sunday's performance, they need to reduce the errors coming out of our own half.” – Billy Gunn
“If the Roosters control the possession the Raiders will fold like a chair. They are an erratic team and are at their best when the other team plays the same” – BigMike
“These sides are both so erratic you'd expect the Raiders to fold after having to play Monday and travel in consecutive weeks, and the Roosters to aim up like they did after the Canterbury match. If this happens: Roosters 13+” – redwhiteandbluester
“I'll tip the Chooks on this one. I honestly think Canberra's young players will be too much to handle out wide if they play to their potential with the likes of Josh Dugan, Daniel Vidot, Joel Thompson and Jarrod Croker. Add Terry Campese and they will play a very expansive game. BUT having said that, they are terrible on the road and for that very reason I think the chooks will get up. Roosters by 1-12” – footy
“If the chooks play to their abilty, like they did against the Rabbitohs and Tigers, then they should win comfortably. If they play like they have in the last couple of weeks, they will be beaten. But I have faith. Roosters 13+” – roosta4life
Prediction
Both teams have been extremely inconsistent this year, but when it comes to the Canberra Raiders at the Sydney Football Stadium, the Sydney Roosters are extremely consistent, with something like a 13-4 advantage at home. In saying this, and referring to last year, in which the Roosters beat the Raiders by 28-4 in a season where the Roosters were the cellar dwellers, could only mean they could do better this year. Expect Brian Smith to have drilled into his players that only consistency can win them the Premiership, and although this will be a harder match than last year, I am sure the same outcome will occur. WATCH OUT FOR JWH!
Sydney Roosters by 13+
After a horrible return back to the losing list, the Sydney Roosters take on a side who managed to win their first game away from home this season. While this match will be important for both teams to get the two points, it's Todd Carney who will get the headlines when he takes on his old club at his new home ground.
Alleluia! A break from Channel 9
The Roosters will finally get their first game of the season that will not be covered by the Channel 9 commentary team, who have recently come under fire from many Roosters supporters (inclusive of the ones on the Chookpen forum) over the way they talk about the Roosters team. Hopefully they can now play pressure-free and scintillating football like they did in rounds 1 and 2.
The Carnage Boost and Payback
Todd Carney gave the Roosters all something to smile about on Wednesday morning when he was doing a live blog on the Daily Telegraph’s website. A few users asked questions about whether he wants to move back to Canberra to play at the Raiders, but he replied with this:
“I have signed a 3 year deal at the Roosters and I don’t think I will play there. I’m pretty focused on staying at the Roosters,” and “I am contracted for 3 years mate - and I won’t be going anywhere for now. I am hoping to stay long term too.”
In saying this, and given his recent form, the Roosters should snatch at the opportunity and give him a long term contract, as I’m sure almost everyone (Roosters fans) will agree with.
After expressing his disappointment in the same blog that he was disappointed that the Raiders didn’t at least let him play at one of their feeder clubs, everyone should be expecting a big show from the young man, and hopefully give his new team another over his old one.
Form Guide
Sydney Roosters
April 11, 2010 –Penrith Panthers 28 def. Sydney Roosters 6
April 2, 2010 – Sydney Roosters 25 def. Brisbane Broncos 6
March 28, 2010 – Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 60 def. Sydney Roosters 14
March 22, 2010 – Sydney Roosters 44 def. Wests Tigers 32
March 14, 2010 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 def. by Sydney Roosters 36
Canberra Raiders
April 12, 2010 – Parramatta Eels 14 def. by Canberra Raiders 24
April 4, 2010 – Canberra Raiders 22 def. by Wests Tigers 35
March 27, 2010 – Gold Coast Titans 24 def. Canberra Raiders 4
March 22, 2010 – Canberra Raiders 22 def. Brisbane Broncos 14
March 13, 2010 – Penrith Panthers 34 def. Canberra Raiders 16
Head to Head
Played: 48
Sydney Roosters Wins: 26
Canberra Raiders Wins: 22
Drawn: 0
Last Match:
March 22, 2009 – Canberra Raiders 4 def. by Sydney Roosters 28
Team News
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters have been hurt with the news that James Aubusson will spend 2-4 weeks on the sideline, although can cheer with a return coming at the same time. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been announced fit to play and will take jersey #16 and come off the bench, but don’t be surprised to see him start.
Canberra Raiders
The Raiders have no fresh injury concerns to worry about and have stuck solid to the squad that took the pitch against the Eels.
How they line up
Players to Watch
Sydney Roosters – Todd Carney
AS IF HE WOULDN’T BE! Todd Carney wants this game to go as plan, as do the rest of the team, and get two points over his former employers. He has been in awesome form so far this year, picking up 8 Dally M points in the process and is in equal second place, only 1 behind the in-form Isaac Luke. Expect Carney to have a world class game.
Canberra Raiders – Terry Campese
Todd Carney’s replacement has been by far Canberra’s best player so far this season, and the way he’s going, he won’t be pipped by any other player. He has been an integral part of his team and will no doubt want to get one over his mate at the SFS and grab his team another away victory.
Mouth-watering Match Ups
Todd Carney vs. Josh Dugan
It’s the title for battle of the speedsters up for grabs as Carney and Dugan, two extremely important players for their respective teams try to get their team the best possible chance of winning. Dugan has done a very important job for his team, managing 808 metres and getting his team up the pitch this season, while Carney is able to rely on the rest of his backline, especially his right side, with the three averaging 640 metres each. Expect both to have some awesome moments.
Phil Graham vs. Joel Thompson
“Todd! It’s my old team too!” Phil Graham also plays against his former side this week after playing his older centre pair last week and will be determined to do much better this week. His defence has been tough to contend with this season, and his attack a whole lot better, expect this battle to be very heated.
What the Chookpen forum members thinkChookpen forum members were polled on the result of the match, with just over 75% going for a Roosters win with just over 45% overall going for the win by 1-12 points. They were also asked on their predictions on the match, who to watch out for and what each team needs to do to get the win. Here were the pick of the responses:
“If the Roosters want to bounce back from Sunday's performance, they need to reduce the errors coming out of our own half.” – Billy Gunn
“If the Roosters control the possession the Raiders will fold like a chair. They are an erratic team and are at their best when the other team plays the same” – BigMike
“These sides are both so erratic you'd expect the Raiders to fold after having to play Monday and travel in consecutive weeks, and the Roosters to aim up like they did after the Canterbury match. If this happens: Roosters 13+” – redwhiteandbluester
“I'll tip the Chooks on this one. I honestly think Canberra's young players will be too much to handle out wide if they play to their potential with the likes of Josh Dugan, Daniel Vidot, Joel Thompson and Jarrod Croker. Add Terry Campese and they will play a very expansive game. BUT having said that, they are terrible on the road and for that very reason I think the chooks will get up. Roosters by 1-12” – footy
“If the chooks play to their abilty, like they did against the Rabbitohs and Tigers, then they should win comfortably. If they play like they have in the last couple of weeks, they will be beaten. But I have faith. Roosters 13+” – roosta4life
Prediction
Both teams have been extremely inconsistent this year, but when it comes to the Canberra Raiders at the Sydney Football Stadium, the Sydney Roosters are extremely consistent, with something like a 13-4 advantage at home. In saying this, and referring to last year, in which the Roosters beat the Raiders by 28-4 in a season where the Roosters were the cellar dwellers, could only mean they could do better this year. Expect Brian Smith to have drilled into his players that only consistency can win them the Premiership, and although this will be a harder match than last year, I am sure the same outcome will occur. WATCH OUT FOR JWH!
Sydney Roosters by 13+
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