Canberra Raiders Cup: Round 18 Preview
The Canberra Raiders Cup finals series is right around the corner as we enter the final round of the competition with the minor premiership up for grabs.
Match of the Round: Queanbeyan Blues v West Belconnen Warriors, Seiffert Oval, Saturday 27th August 3pm
This weekend's match of the round sets up to be a cracker in an exciting top four clash at Seiffert Oval.
The Blues will play host to the Warriors on Saturday afternoon which will bring finals footy a week early, with both sides eager to put their best foot forward coming into September.
The Warriors and the Blues were the two teams to beat in the early stages of the season. That may still be the case, but both teams have battled injuries in the back end of the year which has currently shifted them outside the top two.
The Blues handed the Warriors their first loss of the year back in round nine, piling on an impressive 46-18 win at Raiders Belconnen.
The West Belconnen side will have that in the back of their minds when they take the field this weekend, with a minor premiership also on the line.
If the Blues are to win this weekend, it means they will have a rematch again next Sunday in sudden-death footy.
Although, if the Warriors are able to turn the tide, they will finish inside the top two and receive a second chance.
Gungahlin Bulls v Tuggeranong Bushrangers, Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, Saturday 27th August 3pm
The Tuggeranong Bushrangers are in the box seat to clinch the minor premiership this Saturday if they can get the win over eighth-placed Gungahlin.
The Bushies come fresh off their best performance of the season, wracking up a huge 62-10 win at home over Goulburn.
Meanwhile, Gungahlin are fresh off their best performance of the year, upsetting first-placed Woden 28-12 last weekend.
The last time these two teams met was back in round nine of this season, with Tuggeranong edging a close 18-16 win at home.
Tuggeranong will have to be up for the contest considering their is a minor premiership on the line.
Although, they can't take Gungahlin lightly as they will be out to finish their season on a high, especially after their upset win over Woden last weekend.
Belconnen United Sharks v Yass Magpies, NSWRL HQ Bruce, Saturday 27th August 3pm
The Sharks will host the Magpies in their last home match of the season with both sides looking to finish their seasons with a win.
The Sharks have showcased their best footy in the back end of the year, knocking off the Blues and Bushrangers who both sit inside the top four.
Yass will unfortunately finish in last place win, lose or draw this Saturday, but will be out to put in a strong performance to close out their season.
The last time these two sides met, the Sharks got a strong 32-8 win over the Magpies at Walker Park.
This performance was what kick-started the Sharks red-hot form over the last six weeks, where they will look to replicate that again.
Both sides will be looking to give their all at Shark Park on Saturday to finish their season on a positive.
Goulburn City Bulldogs v Queanbeyan Kangaroos, Workers Arena, Saturday 27th August 3pm
The Bulldogs will look to turn around their 52 point loss last week, when they host the Kangaroos for their final home game of the year this Saturday.
The Bulldogs were blown off the park last weekend by a red-hot Bushies outfit, which piled 46 points on them in the first half alone.
They come up against a Kangaroos side who are fresh off an upset 22-20 win over the second-placed Warriors side.
The last time these sides met it was Goulburn who came away with an impressive 38-18 victory in Queanbeyan, where Ron Leapai wreacked havoc down the right edge.
However, Goulburn will have a lot to turn around after last week's loss and the form the Roos carry into this final week.
