Fallout from the debacle...

[aussies1st]

From what I read the Sharks are still waiting for approval from his Queensland Cup side. So we could still make a late bid and steal him. Josh Lewis was impressive when he played against us, long kicking game, organisation and good passing game. Didn't focus on his defence but he has the size to be alright.

Just saw his wiki profile, the Sharks have him on their books, strange why they haven't given him a go yet he would be better than John Morris surely.

 

[matt]

Absolute abomination of a side.

 

[Noa]

I go to alot of NSW Cup games, and there are seriously better #7s running around in NSW Cup than McCrone or Herbert. Liam Foran at Newtown is one that springs to mind, but there are others.

.

I was going to mention that exact same player as an option. Saw a fair bit of his football a few years ago when he was at the Storm and am suprised he hasnt found a gig some-where.

Has a terrific passing game.

 

[typicalfan]

I think if Tim Smith is at the Sharks why don't the Raiders look at Scott Porter. His kicking game is on another planet to McCrone and Herbert even if he isn't really an x factor player, that is the job for Campese.

 

[aussies1st]

Scott Porter and Josh Lewis are at the Sharks both probably not needed anymore with Tim Smith officially signed. Wouldn't mind either, in particular Lewis whose only 24.

On Foran he sounds like a good talent and any youngster from the Storm is usually worth a shot.

 

[dubby]

Talk about negativity!

I think some of you guys should invest in valium.

Seriously, we hold the ball we win games.

 

[canberra_raiders2k2]

but these guys are pro...if my park footy team can hold on to the ball and complete our sets why cant our NRL team do it?

We have players like thompson who have stuck around for years but never really doing anything...I cant remember the last time he was any good.

 

[matt]

We hold the ball and we only win at home Dubs,pending whether the other team turns up.

 

[Cryptic]

We would have won last weekend if we had held the ball... First half, just over 200 metres... enough said...

To only be down by 8 points shows our defence was rock solid.

To have only made 200 metres shows our forwards couldn't hold a ball or carry it forward with any confidence or force... On the RARE occasions we made it to the other side of the field and DIDN'T knock it on before the fifth we did well...

 

[matt]

They put the Titans and Me to sleep was how i read it.

 

[matt]

Talk about negativity!

I think some of you guys should invest in valium.

Seriously, we hold the ball we win games.

Try again mate.

 

[Smithtown]

There is no doubt Canberra have the best crop of youngsters seen for years.

Dugan, Carney, Vidot, Croker, Fensom, Thompson, Waddell, Picker is as good as it gets when it comes to a group of youth coming through at once. Throw in Harrison, Shillington, Tongue and Campese and you've got the basis of a squad that will be at the top of the tree for some time.

There's just a few natural processes happening at the moment that are slowing the inevitable, and primarily that is a bit of second season syndrome for many of the younger players. A bit of short term pain for long term gain.

A good coach will mould this squad into a premiership force. Furner has the pedigree but is obviously not held in high esteem amongst the faithful.

The only piece of the pie missing imo is a crusty old forward who will lead the way consistently through the bad times - a Petero or a Price would do this group the world of good.

When the kids find that consistency, there won't be much stopping Canberra. Good luck with it all.

 

[GC_Gladiator]

Can we sticky this thread? It'll just save me time from making new threads when i want to have a whinge.

 

[sydraider]

......

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Its a done deal apparently.

Is Lewis any better than what we have?

Lewis has more ability in his big toe.
Whilst lewis might not be best defender - all canberra need is a bloke with good kicking game and a bit of vision.
Somebody who could help control the game and feed the rightside.

Lewis has a killer passing game - he wouldnt even need to move from that right side.

Canberra need a mid-season transfer to save there year no doubt.

Seriously how many times did mcrone hit on to a ball like a second-rower and crash the ball. WTF.
Thompson or harrison short are the blokes who are running into holes all day - he simply needs to feed them or give it to dugan out the back.

Seriously any decent NYC halfback or NYC graduate could do a better job.

On a side note I would also drop Picker and give thurling a go at his natural position Or put mogg at right centre and give joel t starting sport in 11 jersey.

Come on furners get some balls and make the hard call.

 

[aussies1st]

With the right training Josh Lewis could improve on his defence at 180cm and 86kg hes not a guy that is going to get run over like Sandow does at times. I really want to get him, we might be able to resurrect his career and he can fill a breech that we haven't filled since Stuart left.

 

[Timbo]

Looking around, I think the best three halfs not currently playing NRL footy are:

1-Matt Head
2-Josh Lewis
3-Liam Foran

Anyone want to seriously attempt an argument that Herbert or McCrone is a better option than any of those 3?

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

yeah yas need a halfback.

id be doing this. 3 way team deal with the bulldogs and titans. you send herbert and offer to buy out kimmorley's contract to the dogs. hannant leaves dogs for the gold coast.

the dogs with extra cap money sign off contract thurston.

kimmolrey is an organiser, which you dont have. he also possesses a strong field position kicking game which with your large fowards would be a huge advantage.

also dont rate tongue as a hooker at all. whats doing there? i know waddell is injured but thres gotta be someone with more spark than him.

you should have sealed the game in the first 10 of the second half. even though they scored the try at the end of the first both teams came out the same to start the second half. tigers dropped it on consecutive sets of six and it was only a piece of ballsey genius that got them out of trouble when farrah threw a cutout across his own lone.

raiders had ample opportunity to win that game but lack of finish and direction was telling.

 

[Timbo]

yeah yas need a halfback.

id be doing this. 3 way team deal with the bulldogs and titans. you send herbert and offer to buy out kimmorley's contract to the dogs. hannant leaves dogs for the gold coast.

the dogs with extra cap money sign off contract thurston.

kimmolrey is an organiser, which you dont have. he also possesses a strong field position kicking game which with your large fowards would be a huge advantage.

also dont rate tongue as a hooker at all. whats doing there? i know waddell is injured but thres gotta be someone with more spark than him.

you should have sealed the game in the first 10 of the second half. even though they scored the try at the end of the first both teams came out the same to start the second half. tigers dropped it on consecutive sets of six and it was only a piece of ballsey genius that got them out of trouble when farrah threw a cutout across his own lone.

raiders had ample opportunity to win that game but lack of finish and direction was telling.

Hahaha, my kingdom for Brett Kimmorley! Unfortunately the Dogs aren't that stupid. This is why we were all so excited last year when there were whispers of Trent Barrett. We would have played him in the #7 and been a completely different side.

The hooker thing, well we all know that. The only one who doesn't seem to get it is Dave Furner, he keeps picking him there. We have a very good young hooker in Travis Waddell, but he shattered his jaw against the Titans a few weeks ago. Phil Dennis from our feeder club in QLD is an option, but unlikely to get the call - Furner just isnt that original.

I'm actually starting to think that Furner's pererverence with Tongue at hooker is a combination of two things:

1-You can't drop your captain and most popular player to the bench.
2-Shaun Fensom is possibly our best player at the moment.

Fensom is doing far too well and playing 80 minutes at lock. So, what to do with Tongue? I'd be almost inclined to start. Tongue at lock, and move Fensom to the second row. They can both play 65 mins+ and it solves our big problem at the moment, which is our forward pack is too big and too unfit and runs out of steam in the back end. If you start Tongue and Fensom you can rotate the other 3 starting forwards with the 4 on the bench, keep everyone fresh.

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

yeah fensom is going great guns. he and dugan are going so well.

geez i love that dugan. he's gunna play rep footy for sure. best player canberra has IMO.

barretts not a 7. then again the raiders have campo and we have had no organiser up until saturday. guess that could have worked.

yeah but that trade works if they free up enough money to lure thurston. which you can if you are no longer paying for kimmorley and hannant.