While Saturday might be an important day for Australians as we take to the polling booths, Sunday is shaping up to be even bigger as the Raiders take to the hallowed turf of GIO Stadium to battle the Knights!
In the Raiders 34-year history they have played six times on election weekends, with the seventh time coming up in just a few days.
We've trawled through the history books to find if there's any correlation between election weekends and the Raiders performance.
5/6 March 1983
Election winner: Bob Hawke (Labor)
LOSS: Raiders were defeated 46-16 by the Parramatta Eels at Belmore Sports Ground.
11 July 1987
Election winner: Bob Hawke (Labor)
LOSS: Raiders were defeated 28-0 by the Balmain Tigers at Leichardt Oval.
24/25 March 1990
Election winner: Bob Hawke (Labor)
WIN: Raiders defeated the Illawarra Steelers 18-4 at Wollongong Showground.
12/13 March 1993
Election winner: Paul Keating (Labor)
LOSS: Raiders were defeated 22-8 by the St George Dragons at GIO Stadium.
21/22 August 2010
Election winner: Julia Gillard (Labor)
WIN: Raiders defeated the St George Dragons 32-16 at GIO Stadium.
7/8 September 2013
Election winner: Tony Abbott (Liberal)
LOSS: Raiders were defeated 38-18 by the Cronulla Sharks at GIO Stadium.
Summary
Election weekend obviously spooked the Raiders in their first five years in the competition, twice suffering heavy defeats against Parramatta and Balmain.
Since 1990 the boys have put the distractions aside and maintained a 50% win/loss record on election weekends.
Each match has been decided by an average of 20 points, suggesting Sunday's game might not be a closely matched affair on the scoreboard.
Our opponents this weekend - the Newcastle Knights - must be licking their lips at the prospect of playing on election weekend. The Knights thrashed the Eels 54-6 on election weekend in 2013 with Raiders star Joey Leilua bagging a double for the Knights.
Let's hope Joey can continue his fine election weekend form on Sunday when the Raiders clash with the Knights for supremacy!
BE THERE ON SUNDAY WHEN WE BATTLE THE KNIGHTS. PRE-PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW!
