Junior Rep Round Nine Preview

After having the bye in round 8, the Raiders junior rep sides are back in action this weekend.

SG Ball Cup

After having two weeks off due to the bye and poor weather, the Raiders juniors will be full of energy and eager to play their best football this weekend.

The Raiders and Rooster face off against each other in round nine of the SG Ball Cup at Mascot Oval in Sydney this Saturday at 2:30 pm.

Both teams have had strong starts to the season - each team only losing once so far. The Raiders won five games in a row to start the season but lost against the Eels in round six.

The Raiders have named a strong lineup for their clash with the roosters, with some quality players returning from injury and NSW Cup duties.

Head Coach, Ash Barnes, said having a young gun lock, Trey Mooney, back in the side will give the team a lift going into this weekend’s clash.

“Trey Mooney is making his first appearance of the year, he had an operation on his feet throughout the offseason and he’s going to make his first appearance for the team. That’s going to be a big inclusion for this game.”, Barns said.

“It just shows the character that he is. He is training with the NRL side but he’s been at all of our training sessions, in and around the squad on top of his days with the NRL side. He’s one that I’m looking forward to having back on the field, and I know the other boys are too.”, Barnes added.

The Raiders will also benefit from players returning from playing NSW Cup.

“We’ve got our guys with cup experience dropping back in as well. We’ve got Caleb Esera and Clay Webb coming back into the team after playing and performing quite well at the cup level.”, Barns said.

Harold Matthews Cup

The Raiders will be looking to get their first win of the season when they play the Roosters at Mascot Oval at 1 pm this Saturday.

They will be coming up against a strong Roosters side that has won their last four games.

Center Siamani Leuluai has been a strong performer for the Raiders this season and will be one to watch this weekend. Leuluai has a nose for the try line, and will hopefully help lead the Raiders to their first win in Harold Matts.

Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup

The Canberra Raiders will play against the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy at Mascot Oval at 11:30 am this Saturday.

The Raiders are coming off a draw against the Eels and will be looking to grab their second win of the season against the Indigenous Academy.

Raiders halfback Makayla Morris will be looking to impress again after a strong performance against the Eels, where she scored a try and kicked two goals.