SG Ball Finals Week 1 Preview

Author: Finn Williamson
Timestamp: Thu 15 Apr 2021, 09:53 AM

The Canberra Raiders S.G. Ball Cup side will take the field this Saturday in a sudden-death elimination final against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at HE Laybutt Field.

Raiders S.G. Ball Cup side head coach Ash Barnes believes his forwards will need back up last weekend’s performance to match the Bulldog’s strong forward pack.

“Our forwards did a fantastic job [on the weekend]. Caleb Esera and Trey Mooney really stood up for us through the middle third on the weekend,” Barnes said. “For us this weekend, our forwards are going to have to do a really good job against a strong Dogs pack.”

The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season, going down 28-18 to the South Sydney Rabbitohs over the weekend. However, Barnes isn’t taking that result lightly going into this weekend’s sudden-death match.

“They’re a quality side [the Bulldogs]. That was their first loss of the year. They’ve been in and around the top of the ladder for the entire year so I’m expecting them to come out firing,” Barnes said. “They’ve got a big pack of forwards and I expect them to really come after us in those early stages.”

Ash Barnes also touched on his side’s turning point after their 30-24 loss to the Sydney Roosters almost a fortnight ago and the way his side needed to improve going into finals football.

“The previous week against the Roosters was our first game in three weeks, there was a little bit of rust. But, on the weekend [against the Dragons] was a demonstration of what they’re capable of,” Barnes said. “We were able to play the style of football we wanted to and correct some things that we wanted to work on from the week before. I was quite pleased with the weekend’s performance.”

Although, the junior rep side is aware that anything can happen in finals football. Barnes will have his team prepared for what should be a block-buster game this Saturday.

“This stage of the season, it’s more about making sure the players have the energy for Saturday’s game,” Barnes said. “We’re just making sure we’re touching on the things that are important to us as a team and things that we value.

“We making sure they’re ready to go come Saturday. Everyone’s really excited.”

Elimination Final - Elimination Final - Saturday 17 Apr

Full Time

Raiders

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jack Sandford

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Cameron Lawrence
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Xavier Savage

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Louie Yehia
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Deakin Bright

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Eli Clark
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Josh Billing

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Diego Bravo-Graham
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Michael Asomua

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Brendon Tapuai
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Mitchell Spencer

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Khaled Rajab
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Sione Moala

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Joseph O'Neill

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 15 Loghan Lewis

Prop for Bulldogs is number 14 Lachlan Vale
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Toby Thorburn

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Danny Ghantous
Prop for Raiders is number 23 Caleb Esera

Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Omar Yaghi
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Noah Saddler

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Lleyton Borg
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Clay Webb

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Charlie Lennon
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Trey Mooney

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Lipoi Hopoi

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Mitchell Prest

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 8 Jack Todd
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Connor Williams

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 10 Bayley Cox
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Blake Martin

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 William Tuitupou
Interchange for Raiders is number 21 Wilson Hamblin

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Bilal Yazici