Team List Raiders vs Warriors - [Round 1, 2025]

[John Nick]

I find it interesting that the narrative and betting odds have the Warriors as favorites, but every NRL analyst I've seen is picking the Raiders.

I'd also recommend rewatching Round 20. The team lists for both Round 1 and that game are oddly similar—only five different players on our side. So, I think it still gives a good indication of what to expect. We’ve swapped DWZ, TMM, AFB, Lussick, and Jazz for CNK, Metcalf, JFH, Clark, and Vaimauga. The Raiders only have four different players.

As expected, the biggest concern will be Fogarty’s kicking. In that game, they really punished us with it—Tuapiki dropped one out of three before getting KO’d, and DWZ dropped two, I think. Off those knock ons, we had some of the worst goal line defense I've seen, bunching up and leaving our fullback in one on ones on the try line.
I’d also argue it was one of TMM’s worst games. The right-hand side just wasn’t used, and not because our left hand side—Ford, Capewell, and Pompey (with KO forcing Roger to fullback, moving Capewell and Pompey one left) was too fast.

To counter those negatives, Pompey, Ali, and Roger all had great hands in that game, so I’m not as worried about the kicks. That said, Tuapiki will likely be targeted with them unless we can pressure the kicker. Our goal line defense should be better this year based on trials and with SJ back as a defensive coach.
Our attack should also be stronger on both sides. Tuapiki and Ali are a much bigger threat than a Pompey-wing, Capewell-center edge. Plus, Pompey and RTS seem like a solid attacking combo. We also just seem to perform better with Agar as the attacking coach.

Raiders are probably favs on the Oz tab

 

[Canonball]

I find it interesting that the narrative and betting odds have the Warriors as favorites, but every NRL analyst I've seen is picking the Raiders.

I'd also recommend rewatching Round 20. The team lists for both Round 1 and that game are oddly similar—only five different players on our side. So, I think it still gives a good indication of what to expect. We’ve swapped DWZ, TMM, AFB, Lussick, and Jazz for CNK, Metcalf, JFH, Clark, and Vaimauga. The Raiders only have four different players.

As expected, the biggest concern will be Fogarty’s kicking. In that game, they really punished us with it—Tuapiki dropped one out of three before getting KO’d, and DWZ dropped two, I think. Off those knock ons, we had some of the worst goal line defense I've seen, bunching up and leaving our fullback in one on ones on the try line.
I’d also argue it was one of TMM’s worst games. The right-hand side just wasn’t used, and not because our left hand side—Ford, Capewell, and Pompey (with KO forcing Roger to fullback, moving Capewell and Pompey one left) was too fast.

To counter those negatives, Pompey, Ali, and Roger all had great hands in that game, so I’m not as worried about the kicks. That said, Tuapiki will likely be targeted with them unless we can pressure the kicker. Our goal line defense should be better this year based on trials and with SJ back as a defensive coach.
Our attack should also be stronger on both sides. Tuapiki and Ali are a much bigger threat than a Pompey-wing, Capewell-center edge. Plus, Pompey and RTS seem like a solid attacking combo. We also just seem to perform better with Agar as the attacking coach.

The reasoning for most of the analyst's favouritism of the raiders is simply not buying into 'teh wahs', because they can't see past the off season narrative of losing AFB SJ and Tohu and having no like replacements, rather than any positive take on canberra ... i might be biased (...) but i reckon that's lazy take-making and crap ... we have the better team, probably the better game plan and are looking better coming out of trials ... tab knows where's is at

 

[roguei]

Raiders are probably favs on the Oz tab

Without wanting to broadcast any betting sites as they are parasites. Oddsportal who collate odds from most betting websites has warriors as favs across the board.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I confess part of me wants a Harper/Kosi edge to run out, just to see what happens. Am I sick?

yes.

 

[france]

Raiders are probably favs on the Oz tab

atm raiders are $2.21..we're $1.67

 

[roguei]

Although i find most fox league stuff bottom of the barrel. Thought this video with TMM and CNK was pretty funny as pre game content: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/8cd16f9f739020b7ede663bce0ae1586. Especially TMM throwing CNK under the bus.

 

[Defence]

And if you take the wrong flight, it could be quite the destination difference