Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos

The Raiders play 15 minutes of the most exciting football in round one last week, in that time they scored 16 points. Then they went back to sleep, resulting in a most unfavourable scoreline to them. Scott Logan was one of the most impressive on the field, for an old bloke in his last season, it was quite a surprise to see him topping the fantasy football leaderboards. He also scored a great charge over the line try.

The Raiders return home to Canberra for the first game in Bruce for the year. It is a well known fact that the Green Machine are much more comfortable at home, however the injury list keeps growing. Josh Miller and Danny Galea have joined the lineup there. Many of the players in either team are products of the finalists from the 2008 Toyota Cup competition.

You may remember, the Raiders got over the line in extra time in that match. Unfortunately for me, I better on them to win by 1-12 within 80 minutes.

Last year the Raiders lost the first two games, both matches they could have won, and the season spiralled out of control from there. Queenslad teams generally struggle in the Canberra cold. The first match I attended last year was against the Cowboys, the Green Machine had a comfortable victory, mainly on the back of a terrible game from Thurston.

Josh McCrone has been added to an extended bench, but is unlikely to play in this match. This is going to put significant pressure on Marc Herbert, who needs to bring more to his game. He did nearly pull off a Brett Mullins style chip and chase/chip and chase again play in the final stages last week.

The Broncos got off to a big lead last week, but were almost reeled in. They will also have to pick up their game. It is doubtful there will be a repeat of the 56-0 slaying of last year, however I think the Raiders will pick up the two points here.

Sean Fensom plays his first game in the starting side and Troy Thompson is back into top grade. The young backlines of both teams are the players to look out for. Daniel Vidot, Josh Dugan and Jarrod Croker. (You may have seen his NRL star card in the DT, featuring Glen Buttris!



Defence could be an issue for both teams, but it should be an exciting attacking game. Canberra Raiders 32-Brisbane Broncos 20. That's my prediction.