PVP Plate Semi-Final (2004): Rhinos v Raiders

[Anonymous]

Possibles v Probables Tournament 2004
PLATE SEMI FINALS

East Coast Rhinos v Canberra Raiders

Game Thread
Please note - This is a game thread only, therefore only game posts can be made here (Teams, Articles).
Any other posts will result in loss of points and is at the discretion of the referee.
Only original essays, not used in previous games, will be marked by referees.

For more information about the PVP tournament, players are advised to check out this link: http://f7s.leagueunlimited.com/pvp.asp at the Forum 7s website.

Full Time: Wednesday December 1st 9:00PM AEDT (Sydney time)

Venue: Stampede Stadium

Crowd: 9,930
REFEREE: skeepe

 

[Raider_69]

RAIDERS TEAM
-----------------

Raider_69 (c)
MILLWALL
raiders boy
woodgers
Chippo Raiders

Bench
DrewBeliever
Kris Man

 

[ParraMatt]

RHINOS TEAM
---------------------
Miccle (c)
Suitman
Jonotallica
Impelliteri
Bartman

Reserves

Bellyinbrisvegas
Parki

 

[Raider_69]

Raider_69 makes a clean break! He draws the fullback and looks for support...


[9] Raider_69
Raiders Captain
+++++++++++++
My Magic Moment…

It's a moment in my life that I will never forget, one of those special occasions where you pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming, it is a moment I have relived in my memory 1000 times over… and 1000 times again.

The day I had waited for all my football career, my first grand final. I could hardly wait and thanks to a lenient rotation policy, I had the honour of leading out my team, the St.Clair Comets, as captain. The team was full of enthusiasm, we were extra pumped as we faced our fierce rivals St. Marys. This was truly a local derby.

We gathered into a huddle and roared out our chant, we were ready! We ran onto the field and shook hands with the devil, the tension was building. The coin flew through the air as I casually muttered ‘heads’. ‘Tails, your call St.Marys’ proclaims the referee, a bad start for me and the lads, a sign of things to come perhaps?!

St.Clair kicked off, the St.Marys fullback collects the ball and immediately sent it wide to their massive winger. He put on a step and a shimmy, straight past our centre and raced away for a try under the dot, conversion successful. 6-0. The signs were ominous.

The game then became a tug of war battle, several half breaks and try saving tackles. With 5 minutes left in the first half their winger struck again, this time clutching on to a long cut out ball thrown by their halfback. Another conversion as we went into the half time break behind 12-nil.

A rev up from the coach had us fired up for a big second half and it started off great, our star front rower burst the line and off loaded to our 5/8th who strolled under the sticks to get us off the mark. Our hooker converted with ease, 12-6 and there was plenty of time left.

There was a spring in our step now and it showed, over the next 20 minutes we dominated, running in a further 2 tries, with one to me, collecting a great offload from our 2nd rower. The other went to our front rower but both were out wide so no conversions were landed. We had taken the lead 14-12 but there was 5 minutes remaining. A tremendous fight back but the game wasn’t over just yet.

With just under a minute remaining we still led the game 14-12 and had control of the pill. Our hooker delivered a shocking ball to our 2nd rower who spilt the ball. They had roughly 40 seconds to go 60 metres to win the game.

They spun it wide to their winger, the one who had troubled us all game, he steam rolled a couple as troops came from everywhere, we had about 5 blokes hanging off him before the he fell like a Red Oak. A sigh of relief went through out our team, but there was still time for one more play.

Their halfback saw we were short on the opposite wing, so did I. I raced quickly to the other side positioning myself outside the winger. He sent it wide quickly, their 5/8th drew our winger and passed to it onto his centre.

It was two on one, with the game on the line, I held off as long as I could before committing myself to the centre. As I moved for the tackle, I braced myself for the collision but he threw the pass! I saw it out of the corner of my eye and threw out my right hand in desperation…

As if glue was on my hands the ball stuck to my finger tips, as time stood still, it was like an out of body experience, as I watched myself run 40 yards down the park before being bundled into touch. The team surrounded me to pick my exhausted body up as the hooter sounded. We had won!

The team and myself erupted into wild celebrations. Players and coach rushed to the field, hugs and hi-fives were exchanged. The St.Marys lads were left to ponder the one that got away. The celebrations went well into the night, it was a feeling that I'll never forget and will forever live long in my heart.

The next season the team disbanded but every so often we all get together and reminisce about that game and how we will always remember that magic moment.
+++++++++++++

Word count: 750 between the +

 

[ParraMatt]

Bellyinbrisvegas on for Impelliteri

 

[Chippo Raiders]

finds Chippo looks left, right...cut out ball

Steps in Stability by Chippo Raiders

The Canberra Raiders have been stricken with controversy, and the fans have been at war in deciding where they stand in their views on the future of their team's management. Some fans have seen fit to automatically dismiss Raiders management as inept, untrustworthy and disrespectful, to players past and present, and to the fans themselves.

I have encountered arguments which more or less consist of kicking out the management and coaching staff immediately. There are a few things one must consider when making such boastful and daring statements, the first being contract agreements.

All of the management, coaching staff and players throughout an organisation such as the Canberra Raiders are on contract agreements which entitle them to security in their work environment or at least a monetary entitlement if agreements go off course…eg Closure of a contract.

A prime example is the Adam Dykes scenario. He was released of his contract whilst it was still in operation at Parramatta. Dykes was subsequently off to Cronulla but Parramatta are still obligated to pay him a percentage of his 2005 earnings. If Raiders management were all removed of their duties, they would still be entitled to a rather large payout which would affect the organisations cash flow and cause rippling damage. The huge spending a move such as this one would create would harm their chances of getting the management they want, if we want big names such as Daniel Anderson or Laurie Daley we would be required to hold onto our cash rather than spend like a schoolboy in a convenience store.

Poor decisions can affect our reputation in a business sense as well. Sponsors and advertisers like to be part of an organisation built on strong foundations and is highly stable, in the business world instability is a sign of weakness, so wholesale changes on management will a create distrust for our organisation making it seem a bigger risk with less reward. The potential loss of sponsors would generate further losses in the cash flow and it would take a long time for such deep wounds to heal and many of these wounds could be there throughout the Raiders existence.

The issue of stability works at all levels of life and indeed all levels of the Rugby League world. For a side to become successful it needs to be able to use a low number of players, and it needs to generate trust around the team, Stuart and Daley were so dynamic because they were stable and they were together for year after year. But a club is like an iceberg. When an iceberg floats only 10% of it is above the water the other 90% is below. A Rugby League team is 10% on the field, the other 90% is hidden from view, and that is why having stable members off the field is more important to the clubs survival than the players that run out for us.

The views of these fans that are anti-management are seemingly impatient, success driven and a little clouded, by which I mean that they don't necessarily understand the full impact of their somewhat unrealistic protests. Bad decision making stems from a lack of understanding - if you cannot see or read something for what it is, how could you rightfully make an insightful decision on it? The absence of patience in waiting for a long term plan or goal to fulfil itself doesn't help our cause.

Too many times, a coach must create premiership success in less than 18 months or they are out the door, when the alternative is to allow a few seasons for the coach and players to become so compatible and understanding, and for the rookies and juniors this coach has mentored, start to bring in the bucks so to speak. A coach that can fulfil a plan is rare in today's rugby league, but look at Wayne Bennett who helped create a dynasty with Brisbane or Steve Folkes to overcome obstacles and setbacks, people like this don't just drop on your lap, they must be allowed the confidence to create their own distinct style.



As well we can point out that the majority of these fans are in affect saying "Our management has made some woeful decisions in 2004 and I would like to see an improvement", but there are some who just want to wholesale change which will put the very club that Raiders fans are trying to save, in further danger.




its 749 words

 

[Raider_69]

Substitution: Woodgers Out - Kris Man In

 

[miccle]

Where have all the doubters gone?

When Wayne Bennett handed over the job of Queensland State of Origin coach over to Michael Hagan, I wasn't worried or upset in the slightest. I felt relieved, happy and overjoyed knowing he would no longer coach a representative team.

There were a few reasons for this. Mainly, I think I was just happy to have him back at the Broncos on a full-time basis. Total stability is pretty hard to get in a team when the coach is on a coming-and-going basis for six weeks in the middle of a season, so obviously if it's a positive for the Broncos - then I will agree with it. But on the other side of the coin, I was also so damn sick of hearing people whinge.

I won't beat around the bush here... we all whinge and we like to whinge a lot. Heck, that's what sets Australians above every other nationality on Earth - we love to do it, and we do it really damn well. But when this whinging is constant and repetitive, it does get really old. Over the years, I'd grown so sick of people complaining about the Broncos representation in the Queensland side that I was absolutely stoked to have Mr Bennett back at the Broncos and out of any representativ control.

And then came the Tri-Nations tournament...

The air of silence didn't last long. In fact, I think it was only minutes before they appeared out of the woodwork slamming each and every choice made by Bennett. Tonie Carroll, Petero Civoniceva and Shaun Berrigan were the main targets this year, although Shane Webcke also had his critics.

Now let me just get one thing straight here. I'm not at all defending the choices Bennett and the selectors made. In fact, I don't believe Carroll or Timmins should have been starting lock - I think that Harrison or Waterhouse should have been there first. I believe O'Meley should have been put in the starting line-up.

My main gripe has to do with how much we have heard from these doomsdayers since the tour finished. One loss, one draw and a hell of a lot of wins later - where is the apology to Wayne Bennett and the selectors for everything they said? There is absolutely no doubt that Great Britain had a huge chance of winning the Tri-Nations tournament, but Wayne and his team put in a superb and brilliant display of rugby league to keep our Kangaroos on top of the international scene.

The performance by the Kangaroos in the first half of the Tri-Nations final was nothing short of immaculate. It was, quite simply, champagne rugby league - and I doubt I will ever see one better than that any time soon. Yet the Australians still managed to play this type of football with guys like Tonie Carroll on the field. If you knew nothing about the game or the players and simply went on what the doubters said - you would think it to be an impossible task.

So I pledge to you all one simple, clear message.

Whinge, moan, bitch and complain all you want. It's what makes us Australian and, in my opinion, it's a wonderful and fun thing to do. You are totally within your rights to complain if you feel the right choices aren't being made within your club or any team you happen to support. It actually proves you care!

But when these complaints and moans come back at you, the humble pie must be eaten and accepted with good grace.

I would like to personally congratulate Wayne Bennett on proving all of the doubters wrong, yet again (he seems to have a unique habit of doing this quite often). Whether you love him or hate him, you must all acknowledge his achievements throughout this extremely successful Tri-Nations tournament, out of which he has escaped victorious in the face of so much criticism.

675 words.

 

[raiders_boy]

Chippo finds raiders_boy on the burst... Flicks it back on the inside...

When Did We Stop Playing Nice?

Whether we like it or not, we live in a flawed society. The phrase “common courtesy” is not as common as it once was. Politeness and kindness, has been replaced with ignorance and arrogance.

This can easily be applied to the sporting field too. We are all familiar with the term “It’s just not cricket.” This phrase originally came about because cricket was an honourable sport. If you played cricket, then you were a gentleman, and everyone could rely on a fair game. Sadly, nowadays we are probably glad “it” is not cricket, or any sport for that matter. With all the match fixing, rape allegations, drug quandaries and not so secret phone calls that go on off the pitch, coupled with the aggression and violence shown towards other players on the pitch, sport is becoming less honourable every day. Unfortunately, Rugby League is no exception.

With the increase in society taking a stance against violence, many people believe that sport has become an area where violent acts should be eliminated. However, violence on the professional sporting field is being less discouraged than ever before. With slogans like “Bring Back the Biff” being circulated ad nauseam and even encouraged on television, is it any wonder that it filters through to amateur sporting fields, and eventually down to children’s sports? If there are recognised people actively encouraging fighting on the sporting field, what chance is there of stamping out violence altogether? Well there are two chances… Buckley’s and none.

Although we may sometimes be barracking for it, violence on a sporting field is never a nice thing to see, especially when you are with young impressionable children. We are all aware of the uproar that Danny Williams caused when he king hit Mark O’Neill. The media instantly condemned Williams, and even Storm fans weren’t happy with what they saw. He was brandished a thug, and was suspended for 18 weeks. This punishment shows that Australia will not stand for that sort of violence on the sporting field. However, had this act been on the streets, Williams would have faced a far worse punishment than not being able to play football.

Now I understand that Williams lost a lot of money and contract opportunities through his suspension, but he didn’t exactly end up with a criminal record, which is what any other person would end up with had they nailed someone in the head from behind, and fractured their eye socket. And a lot of us will never see the sort of money that footballer’s earn for one year, so I believe he got everything he deserves minus the criminal record.

Where then, do we draw the line? Sportspeople should not be given any leniency just because they committed their violent act on the field. This will just encourage any children who saw what happened, to think committing their violent acts on the sporting field, is ok because they won’t get in as much trouble. After all, sportspeople are getting obscene amounts of money for what they do. They should not be bringing our beloved sport into disrepute.

As much as we enjoy seeing a good old “biff,” and I’ll admit that I’m as bad as anyone when it comes to barracking for more, I don’t think it does the image of the game any good at all, and for media personalities to be encouraging violence, when our sport is in enough trouble as it is will not make things any better.

Of course, there is a very fine line between aggression and violence, and attitudes are much different on a professional sporting field than a junior or amateur competition, because there is a lot more at stake. But attitudes are developed somewhere down the line, and they are picked up very quickly by children. We need to be educating children not to be violent at all when they are playing their chosen sport.

There is obviously no precise time that we stopped “playing nice,” but our attitudes and actions are deteriorating all the time. With television personalities doing nothing to appease the situation, it is only going to get worse. Education is the key. Children need to be taught the dangers of fighting and violence, as well as ethics and morals, to try and get sport back to the point where it is honourable again. After all, the fairer they play now, the better it will be for everyone in the future.

Word count: 747 including title

 

[Kris_man]

Kris_man converts raiders_boy's try, slotting it staight over the black dot

On Statistical Analysis in Rugby League

There’s a common saying that goes “statistics are like a bikini – they show everything but the important bits”. Other people say that “statistics mean nothing”, and further still, there are some who believe that you can analyse a game of rugby league by looking at a sheet of paper. This essay will investigate the use of player statistics in rugby league, how much can be inferred about a player from his statistics.

Statistics are raw information, so one benefit they have in terms of analysis is that they are unbiased, unlike casual observation. There are countless ways of interpreting statistics, which means it is impossible to know everything about a player through statistics. It is reasonable to imagine a brilliant halfback failing to get any try assists because of a weak forward pack, and outside backs who are incapable of holding onto a ball. It is in this process of interpretation of statistics that the art lies, yet an ordinary halfback may get better statistics simply due to better players surrounding him. For example, debate is heated regarding Brett Finch, who led the NRL in 2004 in try assists and line break assists. Do these statistics mean that he was the better halfback than more glorified halves such as Matt Orford and Craig Gower?

Imagine two lots of statistics, taken from one game. One lot belongs to player C, and consists of plenty of metres gained, offloads and try assists, and the other, belonging to player D, really poor, with very low quantities in these areas. It still remains possible that player C is a mediocre player who was part of a top quality side, whereas player D was in a poor side, and was targeted by the opposition defence. It is very plausible that if player D was given the same opportunities as the player C, would have equalled or even bettered his performance. We see this often in the NRL, when players from good teams dominate selection for representative teams. Given the same opportunities, it is reasonable to think that players of lower teams would be able to equal or better the performance of some of these representative players.

Statistics are made in such a way that they can hold very little ambiguity, for example, one might argue that a try was scored due to poor defence, and another might argue that the try was scored due to intelligent attack, however neither could argue the fact that a try was scored. There may be disagreement as to whether a try was created by the fullback who charged onto a short ball, or the halfback who gave the short ball and drew two defenders, but it can not be disagreed that the halfback receives a try assist, as this is the definition of a try assist: to give the final pass before a try is scored, whether or not is was a bad pass, a fluke pass or a brilliant pass. The try assist statistic simply does not give any information as to which of the two, the try assister or the try scorer, was more responsible for the try being scored. It does give out a clue, though, and this is the case with many statistics. For example, passes or kicks which are put through to lead to a try have to be of a minimum standard in order for a try to be scored, for example, a kick which goes out on the full is no use to any winger, no matter how good at catching they are. This tells us that the try assister possesses that minimum standard of ability – but is this all it tells us?

It is still unknown exactly how much skill the halfback possesses, as the try assist statistic represents quantity only, not quality. The next step in this situation is not to disregard statistics altogether as meaningless, but rather to look at other related statistics, in order to get more clues. The process of looking at the whole picture is very important in interpretation of statistics, and it is when statistics are studied in isolation that they become misleading.

Given all this room for interpretation, it is not surprising that opinions regarding individual players vary so highly. Statistics don’t say nothing, but they don’t say everything, either. More often than not, the art lies in the interpretation of statistics, not the statistics themselves.

738 Words, including title

 

[bartman]

Bartman makes a late charge up the field for the Rhinos...

Are you ready?

Watching the Tri-Nations final at Elland Road was a surreal experience. I had expected a close game, a gripping contest - as had many others. The British press had been rightly praising the national team following their defeat of the Kangaroos at Wigan two weeks earlier. The British crowd around Leeds that day and inside the ground were buzzing with anticipation. And come kick-off time, we got our gripping contest… for all of four minutes!

Which brings me to the question - exactly what does it take for a team to be mentally and tactically prepared for a big game? Great Britain clearly weren't ready on Saturday night. While the Australians played a near perfect first half of footy, where everything they touched turned to (green and) gold, I don't see that as an excuse for what seemed a total collapse in British pride with their side letting through seven tries in forty three minutes without reply.

Having been a lifelong Parramatta Eels fan, I've sat in the stands and witnessed a similar lack of mental or tactical preparation, with the Eels copping a flogging in important matches on numerous occasions. The 2001 Grand Final comes immediately to mind, where Newcastle led by Andrew Johns skilfully exploited a chink in the Eels previously durable armour. Round One in season 2004 was another, where the Dogs took Parramatta apart at Telstra Stadium. Elimination semi finals and other big where a team's season is on the line are further examples of times when preparation needs to be near its peak - not the opposite.

So what actually happens on these occasions when teams fail to play to their known ability, where they seem to "throw in the towel" or just "don't turn up"? Mental and tactical preparation must be a joint responsibility between the coaching staff and the team players. At elite level, both must be finely tuned toward game day to get the desired outcome on the field. The best tactics in the world won't win a game if the individual players aren't revved up and tuned in to carry out the tasks. Just as the most skilled individual athletes in the game will not win a game unless they've had effective group direction and organisation, and know how their talents can be best used for the team.

Watching the Tri Nations Final unfold, my mind fell upon a hypothetical pre-match scene in the Great Britain dressing room. Coach Noble is addressing the players. "Alright, this is the final, the big game. You've got yourselves here, you've done well throughout the series, and you've beaten this lot last time. Now if you can go out there tonight and score first, you'll blow the game wide open." If you can score first - the coach's words ring inside the players' heads. And then when this doesn't actually happen, the whole team drop their bundle and don't seem to know what to do?

Do sins like this against logic actually occur in preparation for big games? Could examples like this be the hidden reason behind unexpectedly poor team performances? To a fan, preparation and motivation doesn't seem like rocket science, but achieving the right balance at the right time has often proved elusive for people in rugby league and other sports. Quality coaches and players around the world look for simple answers to the equation of what always makes for a fully prepared side, and what could always give the desired result on the field. If you could bottle this answer, it would sell by the truckload. I'd even buy a case of it, just to have with me while watching games, in case the coach forgot his bottle and I could help out my team in any way!

But this simple formula or magic potion doesn't actually exist, and so our strongest expectations will always remain open to challenge. There was no way I would have expected Newcastle to win the 2001 Grand Final given the season's form. Just like there was no way I would have expected the Kangaroos to win Saturday's Final by 40 points. But what I love about our game is that it is a human game. Invented by humans, played by humans, and watched by humans! So there has been, there is, and there always will be unpredictability, and almost anything can happen in our game on a given day. So bring on league's next big game… will you (and your team) be ready?

[Word count: 750 including title]

 

[MILLWALL]

The end is the beginning

Rugby league has been a part of my life ever since I was young. It all started with going to my first Steelers match sitting on the hill it was an awesome time which eventually led to me going to all the games I could and sitting in the grandstand, I even made a friend his name was Joel at the time I didn’t know, but he was Bob Linder’s son until Bob left. And I found rugby league so exciting and its what I wanted to do so I started to play the game in a competition although I wasn’t the best player I do remember good times that I had and I loved every minute of playing the game, everything was great in league, until my much loved team the Illawarra Steelers had to join St George or be cut from the comp it was a sad day for me and I didn’t know what to do, but I did have a second team then which was the Canberra raiders but they had joined the super league although I hated the super league I had to go for them but it all wasn’t the same anymore, I didn’t find the game exciting anymore and I changed to play rugby union. I was happy the day super league broke down and all the teams got in the one comp again but It still didn’t seem like the old days of cheering for my team let it be at the ground or yelling at the tv it just wasn’t rugby league. At the start of the year me and my friend decided to go to the world sevens, I thought great it would be a good time, so we caught the train early in the morning stopped at central and got something to eat and when we arrived there, we saw many people supporting different teams all having a laugh I thought rugby league just got better. When we arrived it was great because I had never been to the stadium before and the energy was there. As the day went the footy was exciting and then I saw in the booklet Russia were even playing so we decided to stay and watch them and choose names out of the booklet to who we would go for it got confusing as the players had swapped jerseys and we didn’t know who we were cheering for but it was all good fun. Day 2 started off great as we were at the train station we read in the paper and the article had Julian O’Neil tried to burn a kid in a dolphin suit but the first game finished before we got there and we couldn’t get him to sign it which sucked. The day went quickly and we saw a guy who looked like the devil which was a laugh. Near the end I wanted to go home because the Canberra raiders had lost, but my friend wanted to stay because he goes for the Tigers so we stayed and I thought tigers wont make it but it got to the semi and they came back and won when I was half way out the stadium, so we ran back and he made me sit with the tigers fans which I didn’t like at first but I went down and when the tigers made the grand final it got way better as fans from other teams came over to support the tigers even some big Fijian dude, when the tigers won it was brilliant everyone was excited even if you didn’t like the tigers they became your team for those moments. In the end tigers fans (aren’t all) that bad, One day I hope the Steelers will be back and my rugby league is back at its peak and I am loving it although the Steelers are not in the comp ive found out many things as the fans are the game of league and without us fans league would be nothing and having most fans come together is great.


word count 685

 

[antonius]

Ref Blows Fulltime.

 

[Raider_69]

Millsy with the last ditch effort to save our arses from not posting 5 articles
congrats raiders - 5 posters, good luck rhinos, may the best team win

 

[Chippo Raiders]

Congrats all

 

[skeepe]

RHINOS SCORES

miccle – Where have all the doubters gone?
662 words
A piece on how Wayne Bennett polarises Australian society, and how doubters are unwilling to admit when they were wrong
Score: 8.3

bartman – Are You Ready?
750 words
A piece on mental preparation before a big match
Score: 9.2

Rhinos Total: 17.5


RAIDERS SCORES

Raider69 – My Magic Moment
750 words
A piece on the excitement of a junior league grand final.
Score: 8.1

Chippo Raiders – Steps in Stability
749 words
A piece on the problems with dismissing and inept management
Score: 7.9

Raiders_Boy – When Did We Stop Playing Nice?
747 words
A timely piece on the increasing violence in sport
Score: 8.9

Kris_man – On Statistical Analysis in Rugby League
738 words
A piece on whether statistics really do tell the whole story
Score: 9.1

MILLWALL – The end is the beginning
685 words
A piece on one man’s love of rugby league. Lack of formatting and some grammar errors affected your score.
Score: 5.6

Raiders Total: 39.6


CANBERRA RAIDERS 39.6 DEFEATED EAST COAST RHINOS 17.5

MOM: bartman (Rhinos)

 

[Raider_69]

Captain Knock:

First cheers to Skeepe for the quick marking and well done to the 2 rhinos boys that posted, both top class articles

To my boys, well done, notched up our first win, we were touch and go for a while, Millsy having to do a rush job last minute due to a computer stuff up to give us 5 posters, and Kris Man with the S.O.S from the bench.

Raiders Boy proved to be a fantastic writer and i cant say im surprise, more of those results will see him a very valuable member of the mighty green machine.

Chippo still in there pluggin away, improvements in scores are surely not far behind, a reliable bloke no doubt


Thats us fellas, march on to round 3 to play the warriors or bags

WE'RE BAD AND MEAN
THE GREEN MACHINE!!

 

[DJ Raida]

yay!

hurrah for science

 

[bartman]

Firstly cheers, to ref skeepe for the prompt marking.

Congrats to Raiders for the win and the good team organisation! (Don't know what happened to other Rhino players for this match, so on behalf of miccle and myself sorry about that.)

Good range of essays by all. Good luck Raiders in your next round!

 

[miccle]

Captains knock:

Firstly, a big congrats to the raiders for some fantastic articles. There was some great reading in there and I know that all of you will do a great job in the F7's competition next years.

A HUUUGE congratulations to bartman for MoM. It was a sensational article mate, I'm looking forward to playing alongside you in '05. I'm of course extremely disappointed we only got two articles in, but I guess you have to expect that in the PvP shield sometimes.

Thanks so much to skeepe for quick, accurate and very fair reffing. Well done!