For those of you who remember me from the other forums, I always write a season preview and review. Here it is - enjoy!
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Canberra Raiders 2003 Season Review
By thickos
Surely it wasn’t meant to end like this. Tears on the field, tears in the stands. A season brought to an end by a solitary point, a game of inches, a game of missed chances. The Raiders of 2003 certainly deserved a better way to finish.
But as the dust settles after such a heartbreaking exit, it is clear to even the most untrained eye that the Canberra Raiders have returned as a rugby league powerhouse, a position not held since the ‘glory years’ of the early 1990’s. The achievements this season have been remarkable, made even sweeter by the fact that no-one in the media gave the Raiders a chance. ‘There to make up the numbers’ and ‘They’ll miss Brett Finch’ certainly made it clear that Canberra weren’t the media’s choice. Many scoffed at the fact that qualification for the 2002 finals only came about because of the scandal surrounding the Bulldogs. But what few came to realise was that even being remotely close to the finals in 2002 was a remarkable achievement for a club languishing in last place after 8 rounds. The Raiders came home with a wet sail last year and gave plenty of promising youngsters a chance. Combined with the excellent additions to the squad of Brad Drew, Ian Hindmarsh and Adam Mogg, the Raiders were a team going places.
The world certainly knew they were going places by Round 8, 2003, where the transformation was complete. Last to first in the space of 12 months was an achievement that everyone from Matthew Elliott down could be proud of.
But how did it happen?
Heart
The Raiders of 2003 had heart. Its not fair to say that Raiders’ squads of the past did not, but there was a feel about the club this year. Like going back to one’s roots, the Raiders embraced the community. After the worst fires this nation has seen ravaged our nation’s capital, the Raiders rallied to raise money for the victims in a wonderful, touching show of support. Returning to the traditional colours of the club proved a major hit, as did the return of the club to community ownership. The Raiders once again represented the community they played for.
The ‘Hoodoo’
My favourite headline this year was definitely ‘Kings of the Road.’ It spoke volumes about how much the Raiders fortunes when travelling away from Canberra had changed. Once strugglers away from Canberra Stadium, this year the team opened their account by thrashing North Queensland, grinding away a win at Leichhardt and stunning Penrith with a 28-point second half to romp home 40-28. However it was the Round 5 clash against Parramatta which defined how much things had changed. In quite possibly the most clinical, faultless first half all season, the Raiders headed to the sheds up 26-6 with Eels fans stunned and the Sydney Green Brigade giving the boys a standing ovation. Almost invincible 2 years earlier, this was a day that showed that the balance of power in the NRL was shifting, and the boys in green were back in town.
In a staggering statistic, the Raiders were defeated only twice when venturing to Sydney – both times in heartstopping, last-minute losses at Aussie Stadium to the Roosters and Warriors. Having said that, those were possibly two of our better performances this season, marked by brutal defence against a more fancied opponent. The Raiders were never disgraced on the road in 2003.
Up the Guts
2003 was a year where the Raiders recognised their limitations. This was not a bad thing, because for the first time in a long time the team was playing to its strengths. With a monstrous forward pack boasting Ruben Wiki, Luke Davico, Ryan O’Hara, Ian Hindmarsh, Tyran Smith, Terry Martin, Jason Croker and led by courageous skipper Simon Woolford, the Raiders had the artillery to match it with any pack in the competition. And that they did, playing to a game plan strongly based on strong forward hitups to lay a platform for the halves and backline to weave their magic. Sometimes it wasn’t pretty, but it was mistake-free, relentless football that could grind an opponent into the ground. One can’t say that the Raiders couldn’t turn it on when required however – Parramatta and Manly can attest to that, being on the receiving end of 50 point hidings from the Green Machine, with some of the most exquisite tries seen in 2003 being posted in those two games.
Schif-Schif-Schifcofske!
2003 was the season Clinton Schifcofske was destined to have. It is a big claim but during those opening 8 weeks of the season where the Raiders chalked up 8 consecutive victories, Clinton was streets ahead of every other footballer on the planet. The epic Round 7 clash against the Bulldogs was his watershed match, with the dynamic fullback scoring tries and having a hand in nearly all of the others, as well as kicking the winning penalty goal. But this was not a one off – ‘Choc’ backed up and performed to his continual supreme standards week in, week out. It was an absolute travesty that Origin selection eluded Clinton, but no Raiders fan undervalues his contribution to the team. It seems unfair to single one player out after such a season where teamwork was the key, but in 2003, ‘Schif Happened.’
Everything old is new again?
After the youthful halves pairing of McLinden and Finch the previous season, Raiders fans opened the paper before Round 1 this season and probably did a double-take – Jason Croker and Brad Drew as the halves combination? While it seemed like a risky move on the part of coach Matthew Elliott at first, with regulation halves Michael Monaghan and Mark McLinden on the interchange bench, the tactic proved to be one of the masterstrokes of 2003. With the more physically imposing Croker and Drew in the halves during the opening exchanges, in many cases the sting was taken out of the opposition defence, who in turn were unable to target the Raiders’ little men. Similarly as the forward battle wore on, a fresh McLinden or Monaghan could be injected into the match, giving the Raiders fresh legs and the creative ability to expose gaps in and around the ruck. Suiting the Raiders relentless forward-roll game plan to a tee, the Raiders were almost unstoppable through the opening of 2003. While the halves combination changed throughout the year, through both injury and the dominant form of Mark McLinden, the ‘big man’ strategy was certainly a plus for the Raiders this season. With the exciting Terry Campese coming through the ranks and who has the potential to play lock or five-eighth, it seems like this is a strategy the Raiders will stick with for a while.
Fresh Faces – New Stars
So many young, fresh faces: so much talent, so much potential. That was the big success story of the Canberra Raiders 2003. Joel Monaghan started the season as the slowest player at the club and ended it one try short of a new club record and one of the NRL’s deadliest finishers. Michael ‘Get out of my’ Weyman showed promise beyond his years and will improve with age. Phil Graham finished the season in Premier League but the whole rugby league world knows he is an excitement machine. Ben Cross after only three first grade games is a man to be feared, while Jason Bulgarelli showed potential to become a quality centre. Yet 2003 was also the season where fringe first-graders stood up. Ryan O’Hara represents the new-age front rower; fast, mobile, athletic and was rewarded with a Country Origin jersey. Michael Robertson developed nicely and scored a try that few Raiders will ever forget, a freakish effort in the dying minutes at Toyota Park to seal victory. Alan Tongue did a mountain of defence once again, while the unsung heroes Michael Hodgson, Troy Thompson and Sean Rutgerson never let the team down when coming off the bench. Few Raiders fans will forget the desperation tackle ‘Rutcho’ made on a flying Mark Gasnier at OKI Jubilee Stadium when the match was in the balance, typifying the desire and commitment in the Raiders squad. This season certainly proved to be one where ‘the new breed’ emerged and success came as a by-product.
Old Heads – ‘The Mr Consistencies’
They’re the players who almost seem like part of the furniture now, they’ve been around for so long. But take them out of the team and you realise the void that they leave, the impact that they make and the contribution week in, week out that they make to the Canberra Raiders. Ruben Wiki is in career-best form, punishing in defence and never one to shirk the tough stuff in attack. Luke Davico just keeps eating up metres, and despite the opinions of representative selectors, is one of the premier props in the game today. Simon Woolford took his captaincy to a new level in 2003 while the season was one of many milestones for our greatest Raider, Jason Croker. ‘Toots’ broke the club try-scoring record in Round 9 and in his record-breaking 245th game for the club he was rewarded with a heart-stopping last minute win over the Sharks. While the season ended sourly for Croker with a broken leg, ‘Toots’ forever remains the heart and soul of our proud club. The combination of these experienced players in career-best form, as well as an exciting crop of young talent not only made the Raiders a formidable combination this season, but holds them in good stead for the years to come.
The Sydney Green Brigade – A Magical Journey
Those lucky enough to be part of the ‘SGB’ in 2003 enjoyed an almost surreal experience. The season was merely two weeks old when, almost beyond belief, the SGB were invited into the dressing-rooms at Leichhardt Oval to celebrate victory with the Raiders. For those lucky enough to be there, it was an evening to savour, truly the stuff that boyhood dreams are made of. Despite looking shaky at half-time, the Raiders stormed home against eventual premiers Penrith, leading to scenes more reminiscent at a rock concert than at a football game on the hill – the SGB went berserk! Followed up with crushing victories at Parramatta and Souths, by Round 8 Sydney based Raiders fans had seen more wins than they had had in about 4 years. Wins were also recorded at Cronulla, Kogarah, Manly and the Showground, yet what was truly inspirational was the way in which all the players and coaching staff acknowledged the SGB presence. Each victory was sealed with the players coming over to thank those Raiders fans who had turned up, a wonderful indication of how powerful crowd support can be. It was a wonderful season to be a Sydney-based Raiders fan – we all felt part of the team!
As is always the case, unfortunately we must say goodbye to players who have been loyal servants for our club. Michael Monaghan, Jamaal Lolesi, Sean Rutgerson and Rod Jensen all move on, and we wish them well for the remainder of their careers. It will be sad to see them go but that is the fickle nature of modern day sport. One positive always remains that it allows us to see some new, exciting talent fill the gap that has been left.
It has been a wonderful season for our club. Two premierships have been claimed – the SG Ball trophy and the NSWRL Premier League title in simply dominant style. The first grade team performed wonderfully across a gruelling 26 week season to claim a home final. 2003 has put the Raiders back on the map.
But something’s missing. The ending wasn’t supposed to be so cruel. There’s unfinished business to attend to.
Season 2004 will see those problems taken care of.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canberra Raiders 2003 Season Review
By thickos
Surely it wasn’t meant to end like this. Tears on the field, tears in the stands. A season brought to an end by a solitary point, a game of inches, a game of missed chances. The Raiders of 2003 certainly deserved a better way to finish.
But as the dust settles after such a heartbreaking exit, it is clear to even the most untrained eye that the Canberra Raiders have returned as a rugby league powerhouse, a position not held since the ‘glory years’ of the early 1990’s. The achievements this season have been remarkable, made even sweeter by the fact that no-one in the media gave the Raiders a chance. ‘There to make up the numbers’ and ‘They’ll miss Brett Finch’ certainly made it clear that Canberra weren’t the media’s choice. Many scoffed at the fact that qualification for the 2002 finals only came about because of the scandal surrounding the Bulldogs. But what few came to realise was that even being remotely close to the finals in 2002 was a remarkable achievement for a club languishing in last place after 8 rounds. The Raiders came home with a wet sail last year and gave plenty of promising youngsters a chance. Combined with the excellent additions to the squad of Brad Drew, Ian Hindmarsh and Adam Mogg, the Raiders were a team going places.
The world certainly knew they were going places by Round 8, 2003, where the transformation was complete. Last to first in the space of 12 months was an achievement that everyone from Matthew Elliott down could be proud of.
But how did it happen?
Heart
The Raiders of 2003 had heart. Its not fair to say that Raiders’ squads of the past did not, but there was a feel about the club this year. Like going back to one’s roots, the Raiders embraced the community. After the worst fires this nation has seen ravaged our nation’s capital, the Raiders rallied to raise money for the victims in a wonderful, touching show of support. Returning to the traditional colours of the club proved a major hit, as did the return of the club to community ownership. The Raiders once again represented the community they played for.
The ‘Hoodoo’
My favourite headline this year was definitely ‘Kings of the Road.’ It spoke volumes about how much the Raiders fortunes when travelling away from Canberra had changed. Once strugglers away from Canberra Stadium, this year the team opened their account by thrashing North Queensland, grinding away a win at Leichhardt and stunning Penrith with a 28-point second half to romp home 40-28. However it was the Round 5 clash against Parramatta which defined how much things had changed. In quite possibly the most clinical, faultless first half all season, the Raiders headed to the sheds up 26-6 with Eels fans stunned and the Sydney Green Brigade giving the boys a standing ovation. Almost invincible 2 years earlier, this was a day that showed that the balance of power in the NRL was shifting, and the boys in green were back in town.
In a staggering statistic, the Raiders were defeated only twice when venturing to Sydney – both times in heartstopping, last-minute losses at Aussie Stadium to the Roosters and Warriors. Having said that, those were possibly two of our better performances this season, marked by brutal defence against a more fancied opponent. The Raiders were never disgraced on the road in 2003.
Up the Guts
2003 was a year where the Raiders recognised their limitations. This was not a bad thing, because for the first time in a long time the team was playing to its strengths. With a monstrous forward pack boasting Ruben Wiki, Luke Davico, Ryan O’Hara, Ian Hindmarsh, Tyran Smith, Terry Martin, Jason Croker and led by courageous skipper Simon Woolford, the Raiders had the artillery to match it with any pack in the competition. And that they did, playing to a game plan strongly based on strong forward hitups to lay a platform for the halves and backline to weave their magic. Sometimes it wasn’t pretty, but it was mistake-free, relentless football that could grind an opponent into the ground. One can’t say that the Raiders couldn’t turn it on when required however – Parramatta and Manly can attest to that, being on the receiving end of 50 point hidings from the Green Machine, with some of the most exquisite tries seen in 2003 being posted in those two games.
Schif-Schif-Schifcofske!
2003 was the season Clinton Schifcofske was destined to have. It is a big claim but during those opening 8 weeks of the season where the Raiders chalked up 8 consecutive victories, Clinton was streets ahead of every other footballer on the planet. The epic Round 7 clash against the Bulldogs was his watershed match, with the dynamic fullback scoring tries and having a hand in nearly all of the others, as well as kicking the winning penalty goal. But this was not a one off – ‘Choc’ backed up and performed to his continual supreme standards week in, week out. It was an absolute travesty that Origin selection eluded Clinton, but no Raiders fan undervalues his contribution to the team. It seems unfair to single one player out after such a season where teamwork was the key, but in 2003, ‘Schif Happened.’
Everything old is new again?
After the youthful halves pairing of McLinden and Finch the previous season, Raiders fans opened the paper before Round 1 this season and probably did a double-take – Jason Croker and Brad Drew as the halves combination? While it seemed like a risky move on the part of coach Matthew Elliott at first, with regulation halves Michael Monaghan and Mark McLinden on the interchange bench, the tactic proved to be one of the masterstrokes of 2003. With the more physically imposing Croker and Drew in the halves during the opening exchanges, in many cases the sting was taken out of the opposition defence, who in turn were unable to target the Raiders’ little men. Similarly as the forward battle wore on, a fresh McLinden or Monaghan could be injected into the match, giving the Raiders fresh legs and the creative ability to expose gaps in and around the ruck. Suiting the Raiders relentless forward-roll game plan to a tee, the Raiders were almost unstoppable through the opening of 2003. While the halves combination changed throughout the year, through both injury and the dominant form of Mark McLinden, the ‘big man’ strategy was certainly a plus for the Raiders this season. With the exciting Terry Campese coming through the ranks and who has the potential to play lock or five-eighth, it seems like this is a strategy the Raiders will stick with for a while.
Fresh Faces – New Stars
So many young, fresh faces: so much talent, so much potential. That was the big success story of the Canberra Raiders 2003. Joel Monaghan started the season as the slowest player at the club and ended it one try short of a new club record and one of the NRL’s deadliest finishers. Michael ‘Get out of my’ Weyman showed promise beyond his years and will improve with age. Phil Graham finished the season in Premier League but the whole rugby league world knows he is an excitement machine. Ben Cross after only three first grade games is a man to be feared, while Jason Bulgarelli showed potential to become a quality centre. Yet 2003 was also the season where fringe first-graders stood up. Ryan O’Hara represents the new-age front rower; fast, mobile, athletic and was rewarded with a Country Origin jersey. Michael Robertson developed nicely and scored a try that few Raiders will ever forget, a freakish effort in the dying minutes at Toyota Park to seal victory. Alan Tongue did a mountain of defence once again, while the unsung heroes Michael Hodgson, Troy Thompson and Sean Rutgerson never let the team down when coming off the bench. Few Raiders fans will forget the desperation tackle ‘Rutcho’ made on a flying Mark Gasnier at OKI Jubilee Stadium when the match was in the balance, typifying the desire and commitment in the Raiders squad. This season certainly proved to be one where ‘the new breed’ emerged and success came as a by-product.
Old Heads – ‘The Mr Consistencies’
They’re the players who almost seem like part of the furniture now, they’ve been around for so long. But take them out of the team and you realise the void that they leave, the impact that they make and the contribution week in, week out that they make to the Canberra Raiders. Ruben Wiki is in career-best form, punishing in defence and never one to shirk the tough stuff in attack. Luke Davico just keeps eating up metres, and despite the opinions of representative selectors, is one of the premier props in the game today. Simon Woolford took his captaincy to a new level in 2003 while the season was one of many milestones for our greatest Raider, Jason Croker. ‘Toots’ broke the club try-scoring record in Round 9 and in his record-breaking 245th game for the club he was rewarded with a heart-stopping last minute win over the Sharks. While the season ended sourly for Croker with a broken leg, ‘Toots’ forever remains the heart and soul of our proud club. The combination of these experienced players in career-best form, as well as an exciting crop of young talent not only made the Raiders a formidable combination this season, but holds them in good stead for the years to come.
The Sydney Green Brigade – A Magical Journey
Those lucky enough to be part of the ‘SGB’ in 2003 enjoyed an almost surreal experience. The season was merely two weeks old when, almost beyond belief, the SGB were invited into the dressing-rooms at Leichhardt Oval to celebrate victory with the Raiders. For those lucky enough to be there, it was an evening to savour, truly the stuff that boyhood dreams are made of. Despite looking shaky at half-time, the Raiders stormed home against eventual premiers Penrith, leading to scenes more reminiscent at a rock concert than at a football game on the hill – the SGB went berserk! Followed up with crushing victories at Parramatta and Souths, by Round 8 Sydney based Raiders fans had seen more wins than they had had in about 4 years. Wins were also recorded at Cronulla, Kogarah, Manly and the Showground, yet what was truly inspirational was the way in which all the players and coaching staff acknowledged the SGB presence. Each victory was sealed with the players coming over to thank those Raiders fans who had turned up, a wonderful indication of how powerful crowd support can be. It was a wonderful season to be a Sydney-based Raiders fan – we all felt part of the team!
As is always the case, unfortunately we must say goodbye to players who have been loyal servants for our club. Michael Monaghan, Jamaal Lolesi, Sean Rutgerson and Rod Jensen all move on, and we wish them well for the remainder of their careers. It will be sad to see them go but that is the fickle nature of modern day sport. One positive always remains that it allows us to see some new, exciting talent fill the gap that has been left.
It has been a wonderful season for our club. Two premierships have been claimed – the SG Ball trophy and the NSWRL Premier League title in simply dominant style. The first grade team performed wonderfully across a gruelling 26 week season to claim a home final. 2003 has put the Raiders back on the map.
But something’s missing. The ending wasn’t supposed to be so cruel. There’s unfinished business to attend to.
Season 2004 will see those problems taken care of.
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.. i read it on the Raiders website a few days ago.. and i was impressed.. i didn tthink muhc more of it.. then i just saw that it wasnt written by a "proffessional"... allthough u probs could be
.. well im in awe.. well done mate.. keep it up... great readl..
