Biggest Raiders game in years?

[thickos]

How big is this Saturday gonna be? Besides the 2003 Semi Final vs Warriors I think this is the biggest Raiders match since Lozza's farewell in 2000.

We farewell Schif, Smith, Woolford, Mogg, Croker and Hodgo. Almost 1200 games experience and a hell of a lot of them in the green. In Croker we lose our highest tryscorer and most capped player. In Schif we lose our 2nd highest point-scorer of all time. In Woolford our captain of 5 years and 3rd most capped Raider, in Mogg an Origin superstar and well, Hodgo's been a good player too. (kinda lost it there didn't I :lol

Anyways, this will be a massive farewell party. The nucleus of our side is leaving and it is time to thank them. But there is a spot on the eight on the line, at home against the Minor Premiers! If the players can't lift for this I don't know what would fire them up.

How good is this, I'm pumped for the game already Gonna be massive! Everyone get to the game if you can!!

 

[Raider Azz]

no disrespect to the other players of course, but saturday is all about toots.

 

[azza]

I don't think the 5:30 timeslot is ideal for a game of such importance...

 

[juggalo_strit]

I think it's a good timeslot for people travelling from Sydney to the game.
leave directly after the game and get home at a respectable time.
I'm definetly coming down for the game, but was more impressed that it's a 530 game and not 730

 

[azza]

I'd rather a sunday arvo game, but meh.

 

[SOULS 04]

sat is about everything.

i have alot of respect for every bloke that is leaving aned there is a certain semi finals spot on the line.

and if we win the stadium should go off.

 

[woodgers]

I agree Thickos. This game is not only massive in terms of the emotion surrounding it but also for the future as well. If our guys can win this weekend then a lot of the young guys will sit in the sheds after the game knowing they just did the minor premiers, the benchmark in 2006. They will be right in the thick of the 8 and heading for top 4 PLUS they will have their tails up in a big way going to Shark Park next Saturday. This game is massive not just in the context of this season and the importance it will have in determining where we finish in the 8 but also that if we can get a home final or play in 2 finals games (even if we lose them) then our players have gained a massive notch under their belts for next year and beyond. To come 8th, go to Melbourne and get thumped week 1 will do nothing for us, much like 2004 against the Roosters.

Also, in terms of fans, they are hoping for 20 000 this weekend. There is a lot of fans who are 'semi-interested' but need to experience a good performance to get them keen and willing to come back regularly. If we get done and play poorly, we then have a whole lot of ground to make up with that 'part time' fan who may otherwise go the other way.

C'mon Raiders. This is the time.

 

[SOULS 04]

i couldnt agree more woodgers.... what a monster game this is... and it really is important that we put a massive effort in win/lose or draw. could really put some momentum in season 2006 and would prolly mean the season has been a successful one.

 

[dubby]

I agree Thickos. This game is not only massive in terms of the emotion surrounding it but also for the future as well. If our guys can win this weekend then a lot of the young guys will sit in the sheds after the game knowing they just did the minor premiers, the benchmark in 2006. They will be right in the thick of the 8 and heading for top 4 PLUS they will have their tails up in a big way going to Shark Park next Saturday. This game is massive not just in the context of this season and the importance it will have in determining where we finish in the 8 but also that if we can get a home final or play in 2 finals games (even if we lose them) then our players have gained a massive notch under their belts for next year and beyond. To come 8th, go to Melbourne and get thumped week 1 will do nothing for us, much like 2004 against the Roosters.

Also, in terms of fans, they are hoping for 20 000 this weekend. There is a lot of fans who are 'semi-interested' but need to experience a good performance to get them keen and willing to come back regularly. If we get done and play poorly, we then have a whole lot of ground to make up with that 'part time' fan who may otherwise go the other way.

C'mon Raiders. This is the time.

great post. I totally agree.

 

[Stuzmeister]

This game is going to be an absolute corker. With the amount of tix already sold (I think its up around 15,000 now) the crowd should be massive. I've got mine sorted and can't wait for it.

I really hope the guys in green can do it for the boys like Toots and Germ. It'll also give the top 8 a real shake as well as the Storm who would go into a final round match against Manly with the possibility of losing 3 straight going into the finals. Bring it!

 

[raiders fan forever]

Matt Elliott said on "NRL on FOX" last night that there was about 15-16 thousand pre purchased tickets sold already!

 

[Stuzmeister]

Sweet. I was just making an estimate on the fact that 14,500 had been sold when I checked yesterday morning.

 

[Tidus_Raider]

Surely we can get a 5000 walk up to the game. Hope it's not a chilly night.

 

[Raider_69]

15000 probably doesnt include our 4k memebers?
would it?
id imagine 90% of them are going to be there
if the 15k pre sold doesnt include members, i recon we'll only need a 2k walk up to crack 20k

we should do it easy

 

[Walt Flanigan]

I think it would include the members.

 

[Copa]

Get there early..