Iafeta said:
gregstar said:
I predict the Sharks and Raiders to scrap for the spoon.
It's funny how when the Raiders when out and bought Smith and Adamson they are accused of buying over the hill stars but when the Warriors went out and bought Wiki and Price they were great signings.
We'll see when the June 30 deadline rolls around next year how much the Waaiors actually paid for these two players and if the rumours are correct expect them to lose a bit more talent then they have already lost.
All I have to say is Raiders will improve. They may make they 8, they may not but they won't win the spoon.
Its very, very different. Playing for big cash over in a softer league in Great Britain, compared to the weekly rigours of the NRL - hmmm, wonder whom the better players are mentally?
Take Tony Martin for example. Very good player when he left for Great Britain, comes back under big wraps for the Warriors, clearly not physically up to it, not mentally up to it.
Look at the ESL, average players who aren't ordinarily playmakers, guys like Dennis Moran and Billy Peden carve up games. Now you'll gain a lot of bad habits if you're consistently exposed to that.
Now, finally, the MAJOR factor the Raiders struggled for mine is:-
A: Their style, it never goes two passes wider, in my opinion between your own goal line, and the 30 metre attacking line, you're one of the best teams in the league, BUT when it gets to the final 30, the attacking zone, you have nothing. I take the Raiders v Roosters game, early in that game when they flogged you 36 odd to not much, you had a few opportunities, but you just had no options on attack.
B: The kicking game, and general direction from the halves. There was no spark, no verve, no flair from your 6 and 7.
In my opinion, losing McLinden helps that situation because he was more of a hinderence than a positive to the team, he was a very limited player in terms of organisation. A bit like Thomas Leuluai, except he did have some pace. However, Jason Smith 2005 after a few years over there does nothing to help it out. 2001, different story.
As for the Warriors, there were MAJOR flaws left, right and centre. They were left with one bloke coaching, they now have a defensive co-ordinator and offensive co-ordinator to help out as well as a development officer and player welfare manager as well as a strategic analyst. AND, in fairness, they just lacked a clear head to lead them through tough times. Price and Wiki provide that.
The other problem, after 60 minutes the forwards didn't have the energy to keep going. Price is the NRL's version of the Energizer Bunny, just keeps going. Wiki is not up to his standards, but he's damn tough. Everyone knew it when he was at Canberra (and, in my opinion, its another reason the Raiders will struggle for the mana he had at the club).
I've been very wrong in the past, its no hatred to the Raiders or Canberra, its an opinion. I quite enjoyed watching Meninga, Daley, Stuart and friends wreak havoc before the Warriors time, those days are gone though and it seems several people are still living off it rather than moving on from it.
no, seriously.
