I don't think there is a more likable player in the NRL than Blake Austin.
Ever since that feature on The Footy Show he's always come across really well and really complimented his 'all-out' style of Rugby League.
For mine, he's just another piece of the puzzle for the Raiders recent run of success and I think the media and certain fans who don't know any better are treating him as THE reason.
I think other players in the spine are just important. Wighton has filled the boots of Milford remarkably well, Williams' kicking game is keeping the Raiders in the arm wrestle and the work of Hodgson is giving the Raiders an edge they've oftened lacked around the ruck.
In addition, former Bronco Kurt Baptiste is really adding some panache off the bench. I have no idea why it's taken a club so long to give him ago. Brisbane fans were singing his and Granville's praises since 2011 and wanted one or the other on the bench which is another reason why the Ben Hunt selection was so mind boggling. Point being, it's no surprise to see him going well and I think he's really keeping the Raiders in the game.
It's always good to see a coach take chicken shit and make chicken salad. The question is whether chicken salad is enough to make the finals let alone win a premiership within the next few years. The Raiders have been in this sort of form before and done little with it, if they really have turned the corner, they'll be in the 8.
It's difficult to make a prediction at this stage since we're only a third into the season and we're about to enter the Origin period which is a bit like the wild west. I think we'll have a better idea after this weekend's clash to see how they handle the loss of Williams. Of all their players I reckon his role has been very underrated by the media.
