We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
Ricky Stuart’s Raiders are staring down the barrel of a winless start to their season, coming up against the Sharks in the nation’s capital.
Canberra made the finals last year and shocked the NRL world by beating the Storm in the first week of post-season football.
But now the Raiders could start the year 0-3 and face a huge test against Fitzgibbon’s Cronulla side.
James Schiller slots onto the wing for the Raiders after Nick Cotric was ruled out with a hamstring strain.
Games between the Sharks and the Raiders have an intensity that belies whatever position both clubs hold on the ladder or the time of the year they meet.
There is finals intensity whenever these two teams meet, and the origin of this rivalry has an exciting history.
The Sharks beat the Raiders 16-14 in a 2016 qualifying final at GIO Stadium in a particularly brutal encounter where the Raiders led 12-nil before being swamped.
The Canberra Raiders have been hit with another injury blow on the eve of their crucial clash with the Cronulla Sharks.
They've lost winger Nick Cotric (hamstring), forcing Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart to turn to James Schiller.
It means the Raiders' already young back five has lost its most experienced player for their clash at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.