A cellar-dweller showdown takes centre stage in Round 17 as the Raiders host the Dragons in Canberra, with both sides desperate to salvage pride in a difficult season. With key players returning and young talent on display, this clash offers a chance for either team to build momentum heading into the back end of the year.

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Matchday Details

Sunday, 28 June 2026 – 2:00pm AEST – GIO Stadium, Canberra
📺 Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski | Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Canberra Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Simi Sasagi, 4. Matthew Timoko, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Ethan Sanders, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Owen Pattie, 10. Joseph Tapine (c), 11. Hudson Young, 12. Zac Hosking, 13. Jayden Brailey, 14. Tom Starling, 15. Ata Mariota, 16. Morgan Smithies, 17. Sebastian Kris, 18. Chevy Stewart, 19. Jake Clydsdale, 20. Coby Black, 21. Jed Stuart, 22. Vena Patuki-Case

St George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Setu Tu, 3. Mathew Feagai, 4. Valentine Holmes, 5. Tyrell Sloan, 6. Daniel Atkinson, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, 9. Damien Cook (c), 10. Toby Couchman, 11. Dylan Egan, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Ryan Couchman, 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Luciano Leilua, 18. Jacob Halangahu, 19. Nick Tsougranis, 20. Lyhkan King-Togia, 21. Hame Sele, 22. Christian Tuipulotu

Match Preview

Who would have predicted this Round 17 game would be between 16th and 17th? Although Canberra’s position is a little deceiving: they’ve won more games than the 15th-placed Titans (Raiders 5–10, Titans 4–10), but the Titans have had two byes to Canberra’s one.

Canberra appeared to turn a corner after beating North Queensland in Round 13, but then had three straight losses to the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta, and Melbourne. The Raiders’ attack has fallen away, going scoreless against the Roosters, in the first half against the Eels, and in the second half against the Storm. The Raiders’ problems are more than just letting Jamal Fogarty go or the mental scars from last season’s dramatic finals exit. The self-belief that they could win from any position during their minor premiership run has vanished, as shown against Parramatta, where a 15–0 deficit was too much for Canberra to overcome despite their late comeback.

Canberra showed some positive signs in the first 20 minutes against Melbourne, leading 16–0, although one of the tries came from a 90-metre Xavier Savage intercept. It only took Melbourne six minutes to level the scores, and a Will Warbrick try on half-time robbed Canberra of vital momentum.

While Canberra’s 10–1 regular-season record at GIO Stadium was a big part of their 2025 success, they’ve only won two from seven at home in 2026.

Despite only one win this season, St George Illawarra have shown some improvement over the past month: they beat Brisbane in Round 13, led Cronulla-Sutherland 12–6 at half-time (before losing 34–12), and lost 22–20 to Newcastle after trailing 22–12. Although Dean Young’s attempt to make a statement by blooding Kade Reed didn’t last long, the halves pairing of Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan has looked more settled than it was under Shane Flanagan. The Dragons’ forward pack — especially Toby and Ryan Couchman — has been one of their strengths this season and could have an advantage over a Raiders forward pack that has underwhelmed. While Hudson Young and Tom Starling have been mostly excellent, Josh Papalii has played only five games due to injury and suspension, captain Joe Tapine hasn’t quite matched the consistency of recent seasons, Corey Horsburgh has been let down by moments of ill-discipline, and Jayden Brailey remains a stopgap lock due to key injuries.

While they’ll be favourites to claim their first wooden spoon as a joint venture, the Dragons can use their final 10 games to plan for 2027, with several big-name signings arriving, including Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater, Phil Sami, Luke Metcalf, and Connor Watson.

Raiders–Dragons games have been close since 2021: the biggest margin has been 10 points, with eight games decided by single figures. Canberra holds a 26–14 head-to-head lead (with one draw) since St George Illawarra entered the NRL in 1999.

The Dragons retain the same starting 13, with Jacob Halangahu and Nick Tsougranis the new faces on the bench.

There’s a major inclusion for Canberra, with Simi Sasagi returning for the first time since Round 10 and Sebastian Kris moving to the bench. Daine Laurie — who has been Canberra’s “Mr Fix It” across multiple positions this season — has been suspended for one game over a drug-related incident during his time at Penrith.

While it’s too late to save their season, Sasagi’s return is a huge boost for the Raiders. More importantly, he returns to centre, where he played the first seven games and was arguably Canberra’s best player during that period. Sasagi has also become a cult figure among Raiders fans, with the “Oh, Simi Sasagi!” chant (to the tune of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”) gaining traction.

Another key selection is Owen Pattie starting at hooker. After an impressive debut season in 2025, Pattie spent time in NSW Cup before returning as the reserve hooker in Round 9. His strong performances against Parramatta and Melbourne suggest Ricky Stuart is keen to give him greater responsibility heading into 2027.

The halfback battle between Ethan Sanders and Kyle Flanagan could prove decisive.

In his first full first-grade season, Sanders has shown promising signs — particularly with his kicking game — although the Raiders’ poor form has brought criticism from some fans. However, Sanders has already demonstrated his ability to produce match-winning moments, including a Golden Point field goal in Round 1 against Manly.

On the other side, Flanagan has responded well after a difficult period earlier in the season. He has re-established himself as the starting halfback, and despite narrowly missing a match-winning moment against Newcastle, it would be harsh to place blame on him.

Will Flanagan’s experience prove the difference, or can Sanders guide Canberra to a much-needed home win?

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Raiders by 2
Full Round 17 tips → /nrl-round-17-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Kaeo Weekes to score a double.

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Andrew Pelechaty
Web Content Editor for Rugby League Zone.

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