Friday Focus: Canberra here we come

The team includes Tallyn Da Silva and Brandon Tumeth who have both made their NRL debut this year, Under 19s Origin players Josh Feledy and Chris Faagutu, as well as recent Australian Schoolboys representative, Heath Mason.

Wests Tigers currently sit in ninth position on the congested Jersey Flegg Cup ladder but are only one win away from a spot in the top five.

Western Suburbs Magpies will also be desperate to keep their finals hopes alive with a win in the NSW Cup.

The addition of Brandon Wakeham and Will Smith will provide the squad with a boost in experience, while members and fans should keep an eye out for the speed and skill of Triston Reilly in the centres.

The former Waratah currently sits fourth in the competition with 13 tries this season and will be hoping to add to his tally against the Raiders.

On Sunday, our NRLW team will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the competition with their third consecutive victory to start the season.

Botille Vette-Welsh and Leianne Tufuga have quickly developed a strong partnership on the left edge, with the pair leading the competition for try assists and line breaks respectively.

Brett Kimmorley’s squad have only conceded eight points through their first two matches and kept the potent Sharks attack scoreless at Belmore last weekend.

Wests Tigers will be hoping to show that same defensive resilience in the NRL as they search for their fourth win of the year.

They will need to keep a close watch on halfback Jamal Fogerty, who played a part in all three Canberra tries when the two sides last met at Campbelltown in Round 14.

Without the presence of Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore in the engine room, former Raider John Bateman will undoubtedly be looking for another inspirational performance in his first game back at GIO Stadium.