Canberra will be without Blake Austin for their Round 8 clash against the Wests Tigers after the playmaker was not named due to a minor hamstring injury.
Austin — who joined the Raiders from Wests Tigers at the start of the 2015 season — has already missed time this season with a knee injury, and is expected to miss Saturday’s game against his former Club at GIO Stadium with a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old is expected to return in Round 9 against the Penrith Panthers.
In further injury news for the home side this week, star back-rower Sia Soliola (arm) and former New Zealand International prop Jeff Lima (hand) both remain unavailable for selection, with Raiders Coach Ricky Stuart set to field a near-identical side to the one that went down 40-16 to the Cronulla Sharks last week. Clay Priest, Jarrad Kennedy and Mitchell Barnett have all been added to an extended seven-man interchange bench.
Wests Tigers will welcome back key forward Sauaso Sue for Saturday’s match after the Samoan international missed the Club’s Round 7 match due to concussion. He returns to the starting side at lock, with co-captain Dene Halatau dropping back to the bench.
Last week’s debutants Josh Addo-Carr and JJ Felise have also both been retained in this week’s team after impressive performances against the Storm, as Wests Tigers look to extend a strong recent record over the Raiders in Canberra on Saturday evening.
Nathan Milone also retains his spot with Tim Simona (suspension) due back next week.
David Nofoaluma remains sidelined indefinitely for the home side after being a late withdrawal last weekend, with the winger battling an ongoing knee injury.
Be there as Wests Tigers wear their first ever Indigenous Jersey against the Bulldogs!
CANBERRA RAIDERS
1. Jack Wighton
2. Edrick Lee
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Sam Williams
7. Aidan Sezer
8. Shannon Boyd
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Frank Paul-Nuuausala
11. Josh Papalii
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange:
14. Kurt Baptiste
15. Luke Bateman
16. Paul Vaughan
17. Joseph Tapine
18. Clay Priest
19. Jarrad Kennedy
20. Mitchell Barnett
Coach: Ricky Stuart
WESTS TIGERS
1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Nathan Milone
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Jordan Rankin
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Ava Seumanufagai
9. Robbie Farah
10. Tim Grant
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Chris Lawrence (capt.)
13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange:
14. Josh Aloiai
15. Dene Halatau (capt.)
16. Kyle Lovett
17. JJ Felise
18. Joel Edwards
Coach: Jason Taylor
