LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The NRL season is ongoing, and this weekend features several significant matchups, with three teams on a bye.
Notably, many teams, except for Penrith, will be relying on their Origin players to return to the field after State of Origin commitments.
Match Preview: Tigers vs.
Raiders
Location: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Time: 8 PM (AEST)
Team Line-ups
Tigers:
- Jahream Bula
- Sunia Turuva
- Adam Doueihi
- Starford To'a
- Jeral Skelton
- Heath Mason
- Jarome Luai
- Terrell May
- Apisai Koroisau
- Fonua Pole
- Samuela Fainu
- Alex Seyfarth
- Alex Twal
Bench: - Tallyn Da Silva
- Sione Fainu
- Latu Fainu
- Jack Bird
Reserves: - Tony Sukkar
- Charlie Murray
- Charlie Staines
- Kit Laulilii
- Izaac Tu'itupou
Raiders:
- Kaeo Weekes
- Jed Stuart
- Matthew Timoko
- Sebastian Kris
- Xavier Savage
- Ethan Strange
- Jamal Fogarty
- Josh Papali'i
- Tom Starling
- Joseph Tapine
- Hudson Young
- Zac Hosking
- Corey Horsburgh
Bench: - Owen Pattie
- Simi Sasagi
- Morgan Smithies
- Ata Mariota
Reserves: - Noah Martin
- Chevy Stewart
- Danny Levi
- Ethan Sanders
- Pasami Saulo
Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judges: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Jon Stone
- Bunker: Kasey Badger
Predictions
The Tigers are under pressure, having lost narrowly to the Panthers two weeks ago before enjoying a bye last week.
Conversely, the Raiders come off a strong victory against the Rabbitohs.
The Tigers are rapidly running out of chances to turn their fortunes around, and facing the Raiders-who are positioning themselves as genuine Top 4 contenders-will be a formidable challenge.
The report concludes: "The Tigers at their very best might be a Top 8 team, but the Raiders are genuine Top 4, premiership threats this year and should be too good in this, maintaining their pressure on the Bulldogs at the top of the ladder."