First semi- final, Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm (AEST) Friday
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Tigers: If they get out of Canberra, the Tigers will play the Dragons in a re-match of their preliminary final triumph of 2005. Back-to-back losses would be a sour way to end a season of promise.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
The Raiders and Tigers have met twice already in 2010, with the Tigers coming from behind to win both encounters. The early-season match-up was a dark afternoon at home for Canberra, who led 22-4 just before half-time but let in 31 unanswered points to lose 35-22. The round-15 clash at Leichhardt Oval was a closer affair, with tries in the 75th and 78th minutes giving the Tigers an 18-8 escape. This will be the first finals meeting between the two sides since Balmain and Western Suburbs joined forces.
STATS AMAZING:
Despite their week-one loss, Wests Tigers' offence was at its damaging best, chalking up a week-high 43 tackle busts against Sydney Roosters. Conversely the Raiders were stoic in defence; their win against Penrith coming with a week-low 23 missed tackles. While the Tigers' numbers were in keeping with their regular-season form, Canberra's exploits were not – the Raiders averaged 35 missed tackles in the regular season and were ranked 14th in the league.
David Shillington v Keith Galloway: Two of the games most productive front-rowers go head-to-head in clash that could dictate how this game is played out. 2010 prop of the year, Shillington led the Raiders with 134 metres off 19 runs against Penrith. Galloway meanwhile proved an evening threat for the Tigers, five offloads highlighting his second-phase potential as well as 167 metres off 18 runs.
