NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Dragons

The Raiders will look to bounce back from three straight losses. The Canberra side travelled down to Melbourne and stacked 16 points on the home side to open the game. They held the Storm at 20-all going into the second half; however, the Raiders ultimately fell 42-20. Canberra will prepare an 80-minute performance for their home fans in this Sunday’s comeback.

The Dragons are searching for their second win of the season as they sit at the bottom of the ladder. The St George side fell just short last week against the Knights in a 22-20 defeat. The Dragons have named an unchanged squad following their close game against the Knights and will put the Raiders to the test.

Simi Sasagi returns for the Raiders after five games off with a shoulder injury. The star centre has scored four tries in his nine appearances this season and will provide the experience and attacking force the Raiders value. Chevy Stewart and Jake Clydsdale will also bring young talent and firepower to the bench in the absence of Daine Laurie and Jed Stuart.

Talking points:

• The Raiders have won five of their last six games against the Dragons.
• The Dragons have not won at GIO Stadium since 2015.
• Raiders centre Matt Timoko has scored five tries in his last five games against the Dragons.
• Dragons forwards Damien Cook and Hamish Stewart are equal with 605 tackles made this season, the highest across the competition.

Last time they met

The Raiders fell to the Dragons 18-12 in Wollongong during Round 22 of the 2025 season.

I'm feeling confident and ready to go this weekend. We still believe we can do something in the season. There's a lot of games to go. We want to keep that belief.

Simi Sasagi #395

Key Matchup: Matthew Timoko v Valentine Holmes

Sunday’s clash at GIO Stadium brings a match-up between two fierce centres, as Matthew Timoko and Valentine Holmes square off in a clash that could shape the momentum of their 2026 season.

Timoko enters the matchup firing, establishing himself as one of Canberra’s most impactful players, despite limited game time this season. The Kiwi has remained a constant threat to his opponent’s defence, with 36 tackle breaks in just 10 games, highlighting his ability to break defensive lines.

Meanwhile, Holmes is set to test the Raiders defence with his impressive season record. With 231 NRL appearances and 120 tries to his name, Holmes brings experience and composure that continues to break defensive lines.

This season, Holmes has racked up six tries and five try assists that highlights him as an attacking threat. However, Timoko holds a defensive edge with an 87.5% tackle efficiency, compared to Holmes 73.2%, providing Canberra an advantage against St George’s attack and holding them back from the try line.

With both sides desperate for a win, this centre battle will be a major factor throughout the entire 80-minutes. If Timoko can enforce his physicality early and limit Holmes power with the ball, the Raiders have the opportunity to attack the line and secure another victory.

Fans can expect a fierce, high‑impact match-up between the two players who are capable of turning the match with a single play.