canberra_raiders2k2
First Grade
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probably the last time we line up as favorites this year!
I don't see us winning this game.
Woohoo! McCrone is a much better choice than Herbert.
since when?
furner is off his face again. How is anyone ment to form a combination with Campese if they are not given time to develop. Herbert played well last week and doesn't derserve to be dropped.
the problem is tongue but we're probably more likely to see Brett Kelly and Campese in the halfs then tongue moved out of hooker.
Opportunity has come a knocking for Josh McCrone in 2010, with the young Canberra halfback given the chance to face Brisbane in Monday's NRL clash at Canberra Stadium.
With injury already cutting a swathe through the Raiders squad, coach David Furner has thrown caution to the wind just a game into the season and made some notable changes.
McCrone will get a call-up over regular halfback Marc Herbert, while Furner is also toying with the possibility of introducing raw forward James Stuart into the mix.
The loss of Josh Miller (shoulder) and Danny Galea (thumb) in last week's opening-round loss to Penrith means Joe Picker has also gone straight into the starting side.
The Raiders are desperate for a win and Furner believes beating the Broncos will require a different approach.
"I'm looking at playing a different style against the Broncos and that change for Josh McCrone suits that," Furner said.
"Just the style that he can play (compared to) Herbert, it'll probably give us a little more in attack.
"They've both got their attributes to bring to the team, but Joshy's picked in there to play Broncos."
Furner would much rather a settled squad each week, but concedes injury has put that hope to bed.
"I try to get as close as I can to the team week in, week out, unfortunately there's injuries that take that away from you," he said.
The Raiders are nursing an already-extensive injury list, which has been upped to six following Galea and Miller's injuries last weekend.
"It's a little bit unlucky for players, but you can't help that - it's a collision sport," Furner said.
"It does dwindle the squad a little bit, but the guys that have got their opportunities ... you see a lot of players take it."
The Raiders hammered Brisbane 56-0 last time the sides met at Canberra Stadium, but Furner said that meant little this season.
"It's 2010," he said, adding Canberra would have to be at their best defensively against Brisbane.
Israel Folau is considered a definite starter for the Broncos despite concerns about a strained AC joint.
Vice-captain Corey Parker is due to fly down to the nation's capital early on Monday but could still be a late exclusion if his wife goes into labour.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...dy-to-show-nerves-of-steel-20100321-qo58.htmlJAMES STUART is set to make his debut on the wing for Canberra tonight, less than two years after a nerve condition threatened to end his career.
Raiders coach David Furner has made two late changes to his starting team to take on Brisbane at Canberra Stadium, with Stuart replacing Reece Robinson and halfback Josh McCrone forcing his way in for Marc Herbert.
Australian prop David Shillington missed yesterday's captain's run because of food poisoning, but Furner was adamant he would play.
While Furner did not confirm Stuart's promotion, the 21-year-old spent the majority of yesterday's session playing outside centre Jarrod Croker. Stuart missed most of the 2008 season with compartment syndrome, a painful compression of the nerves in his lower legs, before returning to football with Queensland Cup side Souths Logan last year.
''I'm confident if Jimmy does play,'' Furner said. ''He's a very aggressive and very solid defender and he's got tremendous speed.''
Herbert played for Souths Logan on Saturday after being axed just one game into the season.
McCrone now has the chance to stamp himself as the Raiders' first-choice No.7 for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Neither player is under contract for next season, making it vital for McCrone to perform if he wants to remain in Canberra.
Furner was confident the 22-year-old would help spark a Raiders attack that struggled for the majority of last week's 34-16 loss to Penrith. ''I'm looking at playing a different style against the Broncos and that change for Josh McCrone suits that,'' Furner said. ''Just the style that he can play [compared to] Herbert, it'll probably give us a little more in attack.
''They've both got their attributes to bring to the team, but Joshy's picked in there to play the Broncos.''
NSW State of Origin forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs also participated in the majority of yesterday's training session, which was held in front of several hundred fans including formula one star Mark Webber.
But Learoyd-Lahrs said he hadn't fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered in the pre-season and did not want to be a liability against the Broncos. He is almost certain to make his return against the Gold Coast on Saturday night.