NRL round 8 LIVE: Katoa latest to score as Sharks pile on pain in ...

HALF-TIME: SHARKS 18, RAIDERS 0

It’s Canberra’s home, but Cronulla are dominating.

The Raiders should have one or two tries on the board, but every time they get down to Cronulla’s end they drop the ball.

If Canberra are to come back in this second half, it’s simple - focus on finishing sets, and test Cronulla’s edge defence. At this point, the Raiders are trying to find their first points in the middle, which is understandable given the forward pack they have, but they haven’t had any luck.

I’d like to see them spread the ball in the second half, and try to get it to the likes of Xavier Savage, James Schiller or Matt Timoko who have speed to rival Cronulla’s back line.

Joseph Tapine is tackled.Credit: Getty

Cronulla almost go again.

The speed of play from the Sharks is killing the Raiders, who are struggling to keep up with how quickly Cronulla are playing the ball. It means half the team are offside as the Sharks storm out of their own end and leave them in the dust.

Sharks playmaker Daniel Atkinson.Credit: Getty

Well, we just praised how innovative Cronulla can be, and we see it again with a try for Thomas Hazelton.

A combination of handy running from hooker Blayke Brailey, a great carry from Jesse Ramien, and a set restart makes the Raiders pay.

In the end, it’s just Joseph Tapine between Hazelton and the goal line, and he practically walks over the line. Hynes makes the kick, and they extend their lead in Canberra.

Sharks 12, Raiders 0 after 22 minutes

Canberra have been on the front foot, but some complacent goal-line defence has given the Sharks the first points.

It was Cameron McInnes, bloody and bruised, who scored under the posts after a few handy offloads.

The Raiders are winning the forward contest, but Cronulla are more creative with their plays - not to mention their outside backs have done a lot of leg work to get the ball out of their end.

The kick from Nicho Hynes is good, and Cronulla take an early lead.

Sharks 6, Raiders 0 after 14 minutes

It’s going to be an interesting game this afternoon, with both teams missing one of their regular halves.

Cronulla are missing five-eighth Braydon Trindall, who has been stood down by the club after being charged with mid-range drink-driving while holding an expired licence. Rookie half Daniel Atkinson is taking his place.

For Canberra, they’re missing their main man Jamal Fogarty, who suffered a bicep injury last week and is expected to spend an extended stint on the sideline. Kaeo Weekes comes into the starting side at halfback alongside young gun Ethan Strange.

Raiders 0, Sharks 0 after eight minutes

Play is under way in Canberra.

The Raiders get an easy leg up out of their own end with Teig Wilton giving away a penalty on the first tackle.

Raiders 0, Sharks 0

We’re just minutes away from kick-off, but in case you missed it, it’s Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s 500th game as a head coach.

He’s had highs and lows, coached Origins and grand finals, and has had a long tenure in Canberra.

Read more about Stuart, and his career, here.

Ricky Stuart celebrates with Brad Fittler after winning a title in his first season as a coach with the Roosters in 2002.Credit: Craig Golding