Raider chances of making the 8 in 2005

[Kris_man]

nah, we're gorrrrnskies. if i was a betting man, which i am, i wouldn't be putting my hard earned on the Raiders making the 8. but hopefully the boys will prove me wrong.

 

[woodgers]

I agree with Thickos. Who knows where we will end up? All I know is that it is a new era so if ever those young guys need our full support it is 05.

 

[edabomb]

The way I see it we've upgraded in every position except second row and lock. BUT these are two of the most important positions. I have no idea how we'll go next season, if we had of kept one of Davico or Wiki I would of picked us around the 4. But now, looking at how most sides have strengthened in the off season, and the sides that have fallen apart (ie.Rorters) still haven't fallen apart enough not to be sure things for the 8, its a lot harder to pick.

The last thing I wanna do is predict results. The NBA 'experts' predicted the Seattle Sonics to finish 29th out of 30 this year and they're currently 18-4 with the second best record in the league. I think it'll be a dog fight for the eight, and our start to the season will probably decipher how far we can go.

PS. Knights at $15 to win the comp are specials if Joey doesn't go down.

 

[Johns Magic]

They will finish lower than Newcastle

 

[edabomb]

They will finish lower than Newcastle

IF Johns doesn't go down. If Johns goes down early you guys have as much chance of making the 8 as Cronulla winning it :lol: :lol: .

 

[Johns Magic]

Still more than you guys :lol:

 

[edabomb]

Still more than you guys :lol:

Fair call :lol: . Remember we weren't looking good at all in the lead up to 2003 and went very well. Guess we had a great forward pack that year though. Who is gonna step up and fill the void left by Ruben and Luke??? Ian Hindmarsh???? :lol: :lol:

 

[Raider_69]

Still more than you guys :lol:

Fair call :lol: . Remember we weren't looking good at all in the lead up to 2003 and went very well. Guess we had a great forward pack that year though. Who is gonna step up and fill the void left by Ruben and Luke??? Ian Hindmarsh???? :lol: :lol:

Micheal Weyman, Ben Cross and Micheal Hodgeson are all sewt for HUGE years IMO

 

[edabomb]

All good talents but my major concern is if they can sustain a high standard for 26 weeks. Weyman goes down more than Johns, and Cross is very inexperienced. Hodgson should be good I reckon, hoping he doesn't have any nagging injuries this season.

 

[Johns Magic]

Yeah, I hope you guys go well, but I just can't see it happening.

Your halves are a worry. Carney is great from what I've seen, but I can't see him pulling the whole team together in his first real season. And Smith is getting past it.

Your 2 best forwards are gone in Davico and Wiki. They're going to be hard to replace.

Frawley is a pretty good outside back, but on the whole, he is just that: an outside back. He relies primarily on the halves and forwards to be successful, and at the Broncos, he had the likes of Civoniceva, Webcke, Tallis, Carlaw, Hunt, Lockyer, etc. spoon-feeding him. I don't think he'll be as potent next year.

Yu'd better hope the halves perform and O'Hara stands up next year.

Yes, you purchased Frawley and Smith, but on the whole you've lost alot more than you've gained.

 

[lukethejedi]

if those who need to stand up, do indeed stand up, i reckon we'll make the 8. THAT SAID- should there b serious injuries to our major forwards eg Hindmarsh, Hodgson, Croker, O'Hara ect. Then i reckon we'll b struggling bad. We cant afford to lose them after Wiki and Davico

 

[thickos]

It's the support cast around O'Hara which will determine the outcome of the season. This is where old heads like Adamson will come in. Weyman - if this was a perfect world - would stay fit for 26 weeks and tear it up then we would be looking great. Hodgo made big strides in 04 and he still wasn't at 100% fitness.... with the #11 jersey being vacant I think it is his big shot.

05 is now or never for Cross and Thommo et al... step up now or move aside!

 

[raiders_lover_18]

Still more than you guys :lol:

Fair call :lol: . Remember we weren't looking good at all in the lead up to 2003 and went very well. Guess we had a great forward pack that year though. Who is gonna step up and fill the void left by Ruben and Luke??? Ian Hindmarsh???? :lol: :lol:

Yep 8) :lol:

 

[Detox]

The Raiders can make the top eight next season, they'll have to push hard and play well, it's just another question if they will.

 

[Rooster Cogburn.]

Yes, we will be in the top 8. If our team gels quickly and plays the attacking football we are capable of this year then we may find ourselves in the top 4. Snoppy Collins into an assisant coaching role will help enormously.

If - Schif, Carney, Weyman and J.Smith have at least reasonable seasons we will make the 8.

:lol:

 

[thickos]

Yes, we will be in the top 8. If our team gels quickly and plays the attacking football we are capable of this year then we may find ourselves in the top 4. Snoppy Collins into an assisant coaching role will help enormously.

If - Schif, Carney, Weyman and J.Smith have at least reasonable seasons we will make the 8.

:lol:

Off your meds again? :lol:

 

[Raider Azz]

And Smith is getting past it.

I really don't think anyone can say how Smith (and Adamson) will go. None of us have seen them play really, sure a few of us catch the odd Super League game but other than that we have no idea. Time is the only thing that will tell how these guys will perform. If anything, they bring experience and leadership - two very important things. So at the moment they are "wildcards" for mine.

 

[Raider_69]

Yes, we will be in the top 8. If our team gels quickly and plays the attacking football we are capable of this year then we may find ourselves in the top 4. Snoppy Collins into an assisant coaching role will help enormously.

If - Schif, Carney, Weyman and J.Smith have at least reasonable seasons we will make the 8.

:lol:

ohh coggy, now that your here and everything, how'd old finchy boy go in the GF? i missed it ;-) :lol: :lol:

 

[brenno]

I have real concerns about our depths in the fowards. The raiders will also be relying on some talented but inexperienced youngsters in key positions (Carney at 6 or 7, Campese at 6 or 13 and Weyman as a possible starter in the front row). Some of The Raiders key fowards/players also have long histories with injuries. Jason Smith, Michael Hodgson, Michael Weyman, Hindmarsh & Croker will need to stay on the park alot for this team is to have a respectable season. The likes of Troy Thompson, Ben Cross, Terry Martin, Josh Miller and Alan Rothery will all need to step up regardless imo as i have my doubts over the long term health and availability of some of the Raiders fowards. I think a 7th/8th finish would be respectable for next years Raiders outfit. Let's face it guys, the team is in a rebuilding mode.

 

[Kris_man]

i don't think it's all that relevant that the young guys are inexperienced, more that they're unproven. there's a forum 7's topic - the overrating of experience.