So why cant we make the top 4 this year?

[gorilla with a shotgun]

Looking at our best 13 on paper

1. Dugan (Prime ministers 13)
2. Vidot
3. Croker
4. Carney
5. Monaghan (Aus, NSW rep)
6. Campese (Aus, NSW rep)
7. McCrone
8. Tilse
9. Waddell (Indiginous Allstar)
10. Shillington (Aus QLD rep)
11. TLL (NSW rep)
12. Bronson Harrison (NZ rep)
13. Alan Tongue (country)

- Out of our spine (1,6,7,9) 3 of them have represented at a higher level.

- Our foward pack is full of rep players.

- Most of our backs havent played rep footy but are potentially better then our fowards

Parramatta and Brisbane have shown in recent times that you dont need a dominate halfback to make the Grand Final so why cant we make it?

 

[Macko8]

Furner needs to play tongue at lock for the whole season for a start.
waddell needs to play hooker for the entire season.
i fancy mcCrone in the halves with campo,but still think furner will run with herbert.
if we have any chance of making the 4,those things have to be set

 

[canberra_raiders2k2]

I think its more to do with how we play. Whilst on paper we have a team that will leave most people saying "who the..." we still have talent that are playing at high levels. Realistically we play a method which doesnt suit our team. We have a young team and our enthusiasm is very high but it is also very much contained.

We have to use our strengths, the Warriors throw the ball, thats when they are most dangerous. The Storm throw it wide to that potent backline early to get teams spreading out so there forwards make easy yards. Lets face it, we dont play to our strengths. We are always trying to punch it one out.

Our best games in the last 10 years come when we play that warriors type style of keeping it alive and throwing it out to our backs early.

Its terrible watching us in the redzone, we stand around wanting the defence to cave in so we can score.

 

[aussies1st]

Parramatta and Brisbane have shown in recent times that you dont need a dominate halfback to make the Grand Final so why cant we make it?

First it takes the 5/8 to stand up and then it takes the halfback to be more than capable in the organising department. Neither happened last year, the first my happen this year but with Herbert all but confirmed as halfback I can't see us going all that well. McCrone looked way better with Campo but what can you do when Furner is going to pick Herbert. I just hope he proves me wrong.

 

[Raidersrawesome]

We just have to make the pieces of the puzzle to fit.

I believe we have the squad, the weak link maybe the halfback but I dont see that a reason alone to stop us venturing into the top 4. 2003 ws a prime example where we were top of the comp early after winning the 1st 7 games, then finishing the year 4th. Brad Drew wore the 7 from memory.

Injuries play a major factor on any team been successful and this is an area where luck has to be on your side. We are not starting too well , I just hope thats the worse of it.

Forward pack has to aim up every week and win more away games.

 

[GC_Gladiator]

The reason we wont make the top 4 for me is 6,7,9.

6. Campese had a blinding 10-12 games at the end of 2008. Beyond that his first grade career has been pretty ordinary. He showed then he had the ability- but we obviously need more than just the occasional decent game from one of our highest paid players.

7. We dont have one. Two guys who could do an Ok job at 5/8, neither the halfback that we need. McCrone is the closest to being a halfback- but we'll probably see this key position in our attack interchange between McCrone and Herbert through out the season. Wont be good for stability.

9. Waddell has potential but at this point wouldn't be within the top 10 hookers in the comp. Indigenous all star means very little when his main competition for the spot was Ben Jones. He may mature into a top class hooker, but will interchange the role with Tongue this season. Again, brings questions about stability.

We then have TLL- who'll be lucky to stay on the paddock for half the season. Our young backs are fantastic but depth is terrible out that way. If any injuries occur we'll be blooding more young guys.

Tongue needs to have a killer season and just tackle and support. Miller needs to continue on with his career best form last season.

Dugan is the great hope for me. It strikes me that he may be similar to Shifcoske, in that he always carries a huge load for this club.

Pretty sombre post given the season hasn't even started, but they are the main concerns for me. I'm always happy to be proven wrong, and I believe that we have a very good forward pack and outside backs when fully fit. My perceived weakness in those critical positions will be our ultimate weakness.

 

[edabomb]

Furner needs to play tongue at lock for the whole season for a start.
waddell needs to play hooker for the entire season.
i fancy mcCrone in the halves with campo,but still think furner will run with herbert.
if we have any chance of making the 4,those things have to be set

Yup I agree. We'll probably finish in the bottom 3 or 4 clubs based on the mismanagement of our talent.

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

because theres 8-10 teams better than yours.

theres 15 better than mine.

 

[canberraraida]

If we do not make the top 4 theres only 1 main reason and that is injury. IMO i think the raiders are the most injury proned club in the NRL but at full strength definatley we can make top 4.

 

[broncos_warriors_storm]

consistancy, but good luck guys, the raiders are my dark horse for 2010

 

[Dazraider]

Waddell had the sight to be a hlafback and would fit in perfect for the position, I rate him very very highly as a top hooker already with only a handful of games, watch him thi season show how good he can be

 

[Spot On]

Because Canberra don't win away from home. Otherwise there is no reason why you can't make the eight and with luck the top four.

 

[Proud2BeCanberran]

IMO, it is the lack of experience in the 7 and 9... but that should hopefully develop in a few years with plenty of playing time. But with this lack of experience in the 7 and 9,comes Campese's job a hell of a lot harder. He has to be in the middle of it every damn tackle plus organising everything. He seemed to have a slighter workload when McCrone played last year, but even then he still had a lot to do.

 

[hindy111]

Cause there are more than 4 better teams than the raiders.
I am one who thinks they can sneak into the 8 thou and if can get off to a good start could along with penrith be a suprise packet