Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm 2014 NRL Round 7 preview, tips and teams

The Canberra Raiders proved to be a punter’s nightmare again last week, losing when starting as favourites at home to Newcastle 26 – 12.

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It was the fifth straight loss at home for the Raiders and the once daunting task of travelling to Canberra for opposing teams is quickly losing its aura.

The Raiders opened the scoring early with Jarrod Croker crossing in the 8th minute but each time the home-side registered points they soon gave up just as many to the Knights.

The game was in the balance at half-time at12 all but it was a disappointing effort by the Raiders in the second half with poor defence and handling allowing the Knights, who played the smarter football in the second term, to score two unanswered tries.

Home games are few and far between for the Raiders in the first half of the season and they need to make them count but they could easily found themselves 0 – 4 at GIO Stadium after this week when they host the Storm.

Melbourne produced another remarkable comeback against St. George last Monday night, if even somewhat controversially, scoring a freakish try after the siren to win 28 – 24. It was the Storm’s fourth win of the season and their third by a margin of four points or less.

Trialling by 14 points with 15 minutes to go, Melbourne again showed why they are one of the toughest sides in the competition to defeat.

The ledger is level at two wins apiece between these two clubs since 2012 surprisingly though; neither side has been able to win when playing at home during that time.

The Storm will need to start better then what they did last week against the unpredictable Raiders whose best chance of winning their first game at home this season, lies with getting early points and holding on.

Both sides are largely unchanged from last week.

The Storm could easily be 2 – 4 this year but not for the fact that they do know how to win, something the Raiders are still yet to master.

TIP: STORM -3.5

Odds Comparison:

Canberra Raiders 2.25 2.25 2.30 2.25 2.25 2.20
Melbourne Storm 1.68 1.66 1.64 1.66 1.68 1.68

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Teams:

Canberra Raiders:Canberra Raiders logo.svg
Anthony Milford, Reece Robinson, Jarrod Croker, Matt Allwood, Bill Tupou, Jack Wighton, Terry Campese (capt), David Shillington, Glen Buttriss, Brett White, Josh Papalii, Joel Edwards, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Josh McCrone, Paul Vaughan, Dane Tilse, Shannon Boyd, Jarrad Kennedy (one to be omitted).

 

 

Melbourne Storm:Melbourne Storm logo.svg
Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Justin O’Neill, Young Tonumaipea, Ben Roberts, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (capt), Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Kenny Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Mitch Garbutt, Tim Glasby, Dayne Weston (one to be omitted).

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