Canberra Raiders in danger of worst home record in club history
Date
July 25, 2014 - 8:00PM
Jon Tuxworth
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times
The Canberra Raiders are in danger of finishing with their worst ever home record and erasing the 1982 wooden spooners from the history books.
Once almost unbeatable at home in the depths of winter, rival sides are no longer intimidated by the trip to Canberra Stadium.
Canberra's inaugural side secured all four of its wins at home on its way to finishing last, with a team made up predominately of fringe players from Sydney clubs.
In 2011, the Raiders secured four of their six wins at home, a disastrous season which prompted the club to launch a wholesale internal review.
The Raiders of 2014 have won only two home games, one of those against a North Queensland side severely depleted by State of Origin.
After Souths on Monday night, they host a New Zealand Warriors outfit rejuvenated under the coaching of former Raiders assistant Andrew McFadden.
Raiders halfback Josh McCrone featured in the club's record 68-4 loss to Melbourne last year, his 100th NRL match, and is desperate to avoid another blemish on his copybook.
It's a stunning fall from grace after the Raiders won 12 straight at home across the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
"I've been involved in some records here I'm not too proud of, that's not one I want on my résumé,'' McCrone said.
Asked would it be brought up this week, McCrone said: "I don't think so. Some blokes would be embarrassed by their performance on the weekend [loss to Melbourne], myself included.
"Everyone's in the same boat, this is what happens when you don't have such a successful year. Things have got to change otherwise we're going to get the same result next year.
"I suppose it's a bit of an audition for everyone for next year. That's motivation enough for me to dig in and have a good game this week.''
Five of their remaining seven games are at home, including clashes with finals contenders Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra and Parramatta.
Raiders lock Shaun Fensom said they were desperate to bring back the fear factor at Bruce.
"Last year we had a good run at home, we won something like 12 straight,'' Fensom said.
"Hopefully we can build that reputation back of Canberra being a fortress, and getting away teams scared to come and play us here.''
The Rabbitohs will be brimming with confidence after a 32-12 win over Parramatta.
Canberra pulled off one of the upsets of the year with a 30-18 round four win over Souths in Sydney, and successfully shut down fullback Greg Inglis by kicking early into the corners.
"We haven't had too much of a look at them yet but I'd suggest it worked last time, you'd be silly to change too many things up,'' McCrone said.
"It's a big task shutting GI down. He's a massive factor getting their sets started on a roll and the Burgess brothers barrel in after that.''
A BROKEN FORTRESS?
Raiders games in Canberra
2014: Played 7, won 2, lost 5
2011: Played 12: won 4 lost 8
1982: Played 13: won 4, lost 9
