Sunday, WIN Stadium, 2pm
Referee: Tony De Las Heras

The Dragons have won seven in a row to rise to fifth place, while the Raiders have had their ups and downs and are just hanging in the race for finals spots. They are 12th, three points outside of the top eight and desperately in need of a win after losing two in a row. This is a massive assignment for the Raiders. The Dragons get their star centres - Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper - back from injury and their strength in the outside backs for this match is such that Wendell Sailor could not get a run on the wing despite playing well in his latest comeback game, against the Knights last weekend.

That is the sort of thing that happens when a team is firing. The Dragons are still missing injured forward Ben Creagh, but apart from that they look very strong and are justifiably short-priced favourites to win here.The Dragons had a bit of luck with the draw during their winning run, with games against the Broncos and the Storm when those teams had a lot of players out due to State of Origin commitments, but when you win seven straight the bottom line is that you are playing well and the enthusiasm and commitment levels are high, and the Dragons cannot be faulted in those areas. They have been disciplined, and that is a key area in which they have let themselves down repeatedly in recent years. The Raiders are honest and spirited, but if the Dragons hold their form then surely they will win this game at home.

LATE MAIL
Canberra rake Glen Buttriss remains an outside chance to play St George Illawarra on Sunday but is more likely to be ruled out with a knee injury. If Buttriss is unavailable, Melbourne-bound Ryan Hinchcliffe will start as hooker.

The Raiders are trying to prevent the home side snaring an record eighth consecutive win, with stats showing they have not won in Wollongong for 10 years.
Nathan Ryan

DRAGONS: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Mark Gasnier (capt), Matt Cooper, Josh Morris, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Beau Scott, Chase Stanley, Lagi Setu. Interchange: Kirk Reynoldson, Dan Hunt, Jarrod Saffy, Rangi Chase, Matt Prior, Stuart Webb (two to be omitted)

RAIDERS: David Milne, Colin Best, Marshall Chalk, Joel Monaghan, Adrian Purtell, Terry Campese, Todd Carney (capt), Troy Thompson, Glen Buttriss, Dane Tilse, Glen Turner, Josh Miller, Joe Picker. Interchange: Nigel Plum, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Scott Logan, Michael Weyman, Neville Costigan, Trevor Thurling. (two to be omitted).