Canberra outlast Titans 34-28

[Mullins_y2k]

Canberra outlast Titans 34-28

Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 10:46 PM
Gold Coast's band of rookies gave Canberra an almighty scare before a flurry of late tries sealed a 34-28 victory for the Raiders in Saturday night's NRL trial in Ipswich.
The highlight of the match was undoubtedly a 40th-minute try to fullback Shannon Walker, an excitement machine who must surely play NRL football this year.
The 2007 Queensland Cup Player of the Year found himself in space on the left flank and put a wicked step on Raiders fullback Bronx Goodwin before sprinting to plant the ball under the posts.
Walker, 18, was safe under the high ball and showed blistering pace whenever he carted back the ball.
Titans coach John Cartwright would be delighted with the effort from his youngsters, drawn from the state competition, considering centre Kingi Aka-Oula was sent off early in the match for a high shot on Michael Brophy.
Playing against a team boasting nine regular first-graders, the Titans were level at 18-all at the three-quarter time break.
But the Raiders ran in three quick tries to blow out the scoreline to 34-18.
Joel Rapana, who scored a 90-metre try to opening the scoring, bagged his second to reduce the Titans' deficit to 34-22.
Kayne Lawton added even more respectability to the scoreline with a try just before the final siren.


So basically no news for us at all!!!! great!!

 

[reptar]

I'll give a summary, I'm sure someone more qualified will give a more indepth report.

Dobson hasn't improved his defence - still arm grabbing. Looked a little lost.

Herbert was nervous but looked the goods. Threw balls to centers running good angles, and made a good break for one of Bronx's tries in the final quarter.

Bronx was great in attack, but got side stepped pretty easily a couple of times in defence.

None of the forwards really stood out. Hinchcliffe made a few good runs from dummy-half, but his passing wasn't all that accurate.

Purts was looking fit, and made a break at one stage and actually looked pretty quick.

Milne made a great take to diffuse a bomb and one set later was caught out poorly positioned in defence.

Herbert and Campo was definitely the pick of the halves combinations.

 

[gorilla with a shotgun]

I'll give a summary, I'm sure someone more qualified will give a more indepth report.

Dobson hasn't improved his defence - still arm grabbing. Looked a little lost.

Herbert was nervous but looked the goods. Threw balls to centers running good angles, and made a good break for one of Bronx's tries in the final quarter.

Bronx was great in attack, but got side stepped pretty easily a couple of times in defence.

None of the forwards really stood out. Hinchcliffe made a few good runs from dummy-half, but his passing wasn't all that accurate.

Purts was looking fit, and made a break at one stage and actually looked pretty quick.

Milne made a great take to diffuse a bomb and one set later was caught out poorly positioned in defence.

Herbert and Campo was definitely the pick of the halves combinations.

id like to see
7. Herbert
6. Carney
14. Campo

 

[Chachi]

Thanks reptar. Sounds like a pretty scrappy performance from all accounts. Hopefully no surprise injuries too, which is the main thing for me.

Dobbo must have been pretty poor, with Herbert the fave for an early NRL debut.

Certainly a better start than having a full NRL side beaten by a QLD cup team! I can't imagine the boys were overly pumped for this game.

 

[Raidersrawesome]

Canberra coach Neil Henry said Brophy had suffered concussion and would need to undergo scans for a suspected fractured eye socket.
Halfback Michael Dobson (hip flexor) failed to finish the match while Queensland State of Origin back-rower Neville Costigan was a late withdrawal after straining a quad muscle at training yesterday.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23227103-23214,00.html

Couple of injuries by the sound of it , we cant read anything into this , 1st game , against kids , what mind set would of our boys had going into the game.

What game time did the FGers get , did Weyman play much?

 

[reptar]

Canberra coach Neil Henry said Brophy had suffered concussion and would need to undergo scans for a suspected fractured eye socket.
Halfback Michael Dobson (hip flexor) failed to finish the match while Queensland State of Origin back-rower Neville Costigan was a late withdrawal after straining a quad muscle at training yesterday.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23227103-23214,00.html

Couple of injuries by the sound of it , we cant read anything into this , 1st game , against kids , what mind set would of our boys had going into the game.

What game time did the FGers get , did Weyman play much?

Weyman got a fair bit of game time. He didn't have all that much impact from what I saw, and he lost the plot a couple of times, and gave away a couple of silly penalties, including a 10m penalty for backchat.

 

[Chachi]

Canberra coach Neil Henry said Brophy had suffered concussion and would need to undergo scans for a suspected fractured eye socket.
Halfback Michael Dobson (hip flexor) failed to finish the match while Queensland State of Origin back-rower Neville Costigan was a late withdrawal after straining a quad muscle at training yesterday.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23227103-23214,00.html

Couple of injuries by the sound of it , we cant read anything into this , 1st game , against kids , what mind set would of our boys had going into the game.

What game time did the FGers get , did Weyman play much?

Hmm, that Brophy injury doesn't sound great - I take my words back.

 

[reptar]

Hmm, that Brophy injury doesn't sound great - I take my words back.

That injury must have been the one that happened in the far corner from where I was, couldn't really see what was happening because it was quite dark in the corners of the field.

 

[Raider_69]

From the match reports posted elsewhere, here is a basic summary of the performance

- Purtell made a good return back from DVT, played very well at centre
- Shannon Walker was very impressive for the Gold Coast side
- Michael Dobson struggled a fair bit, whilst conversely young Marc Herbert played very well, i believe our rd 1 team will not have Dobson at #7 but infact have Herbert.
- We struggled when we played alot of our Souths Logan players (so souths logan are probably going to struggle in this years QLD Cup)
- Bronx Goodwin was on fire at fullback for canberra, still needs work defensively but was practically untouchable in attack


Herbert for #7 rd 1 08!

 

[parra pete]

Repeat after me. It was a T R I A L.....

 

[Macko8]

how'd kyle lodge play at centre???
did joel thompson get much game time???
good news about herbert,hopefully his halfback rnd 1

 

[Mullins_y2k]

With Carney aiming for the NSW half back spot I wouldn't count on it, Herbert at 6 would be cool... not that iv ever seen him play he could be a 110kg Samoan for all i know!

 

[Raider_69]

Repeat after me. It was a T R I A L.....

and?

its well known that henry isnt sold on dobson at #7
and he has already said if not for injury herbert would have had his debut last season, herbert is signed long term and the club has high hopes for him
a good performance in the trial should see him get another go against the broncos or cowboys, a good performance there imo will see him start the season as our #7

i think todd will remain in #6 unless both dobson and herbert fail to nail down the halfback spot

 

[Bay56]

Repeat after me. It was a T R I A L.....

... against a side of rookies

Yes only a trial (as was the Storm's 50+ to 10 points win over Manly).

You'd think our boys could establish some dominance and win quite comfortably.

I would have thought it far better to have your trials a bit closer to home in an effort to establish some combinations without the need to live out of a hotel for an extended period.

Early times ... 5 games into the season proper will give us a better idea.

Thanks for the summary Reptar.

 

[parra pete]

It was A trial on February 16....Gees, the Sydney Cricket semi finals haven't even started yet.......
The 2008 Raiders will develop into a good side, don't worry about that. The Club has picked up some good players, and the stars of last season will continue to improve. The Raiders will slip under the radar, and be written off by everyone.
They don't need to improve much to be competitive again in 2008
The coaching staff is very confident of a top eight spot if they can ward off major injuries...

 

[Raidersrawesome]

I think everyone agrees that it was a trial , and it was the 1st one of the season , with only a smattering of FG players. What has probably riled a few people is once again the media making something out of nothing in a negative way towards the Raiders.
But there were a few positives from the game by the reports and speaking to some that went. Purts return was one , Herberts was another,
Other than that it was game time , and will go towards match fitness as we lead up to the start of the comp in less than a month.
even this weekends game against the Broncos wont influence me on the season ahead

I would be disappionted if the coaching staff werent very confident of making the 8 , I seriously thinks its a realistic goal for our team this year.

 

[Bay56]

Yes, best that we dont peak at this time of the year huh

 

[matt]

Yes, best that we dont peak at this time of the year huh

:lol:

Good news on herbie bay.............. your thoughts..

saw him cut thru the defensive line... ala LOZ..

 

[dubby]

To defeat a QLD cup team with a handful of NRL players (fringe players at that)34-28 isnt as bad as they made out.

Tweed are a very good team (premiers I think). They scored two late tries to buff up the score line.

Best and Costigan didnt play.

It was our first hitout as a team who have barely played together and most likely never will again.

Last years defeat to Aspley/Redcliffe was much worse. We were full strength and played so bad that night.

 

[matt]

im happy with it dubs....... im in my happy place till round 1 onwards and hoping to stay in there.