Bring back John Fifita
First Grade
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I was wrong
In a particular sports tipsters comp I'm in I had to nominate the 06 wooden spooners in the NRL, and through no malice, and now seemingly ill-informed judgement I picked the Raiders to finish with League's most dreaded prize.
For last couple of season, the once-mighty Raiders have been written off by more than just me. Player losses, indeed lack of "quality" players, injuries etc etc have hit the club as much as, if not more than, all other clubs. And only Souths could possibly compete with lack of interest from big-name signatures. Going into this season I could not see how they could come near to competing for a top 8 finish with the cattle they had. But here we are, after 19 rounds and they are in there with a great fighting chance.
Twice a year our company hosts a corporate box at Raiders games for our Canberra clients, which I attend. I was at the game on Sunday, and now have a new-found respect for the green machine. Unheralded players (but I'm sure much-heralded by their fans) such as Michael Weyman, Kris Kahler, Troy Thompson, and Todd Carney (even though his head looked like a hot cross bun) really impressed me. I dont have the priveledge of FOX at home, and have only seen them 2 or 3 times this season, and so hardly know of these guys other than seeing them mentioned on the forums etc. But they definitely can play. And as for Clinton Shifcofske, now I know why their fans rate him so highly.
Aside from all the dramas during Golden Point, in my eyes they deserved the win (I was a neutral spectator and tipped the Tigers). Furthermore, they really deserve more credit than they are getting. Seemingly the majority of times they win, its a somewhat surprising result.
What they also deserve are bigger crowds. To my left, I saw what was known as the Raiders Army, proudly singing and yelling all game. But there weren't many of them. It even appeared they were outnumbered by the travelling Tigers faithful next to them. This isn't a dig at the Raiders fans, more of an observation. In a game critical to their season I was somewhat disappointed that only 9,120 odd people (many of whom were Tigers Fans) were there to watch. A victim of cold weather combined with Foxtel perhaps??? Only the Canberra people could really know.
They may make the finals in 06, they may not. Whatever the case is I'm sure many will take the same view on them at the start of next season. Losing senior players like Schifcoske, Woolford, Smith, not to mention their coach - to be replaced by a beginner in the top flight - must surely spell doom for their chances.....they can't be a threat.....
Dont be so sure. They may be light on quality/big name players but "pound-for-pound" they'd have to be one of the best clubs in the comp. From what I saw yesterday, they are a true "team" of players who just get stuck in and get the job done. They may not be the best side on-paper, but they regularly fight above their weight on the paddock.
Yes, I'm a loyal, rabid Dragons fan but I'm also a loyal, rabid fan of Rugby League. As such, I just wanted to write this to give a bit of credit where credit is due. They were once the pride of the League, and for the sake of League I hope they can once again become a force in the competition. But please hold off for another week boys, you've got the Dragons next....
In a particular sports tipsters comp I'm in I had to nominate the 06 wooden spooners in the NRL, and through no malice, and now seemingly ill-informed judgement I picked the Raiders to finish with League's most dreaded prize.
For last couple of season, the once-mighty Raiders have been written off by more than just me. Player losses, indeed lack of "quality" players, injuries etc etc have hit the club as much as, if not more than, all other clubs. And only Souths could possibly compete with lack of interest from big-name signatures. Going into this season I could not see how they could come near to competing for a top 8 finish with the cattle they had. But here we are, after 19 rounds and they are in there with a great fighting chance.
Twice a year our company hosts a corporate box at Raiders games for our Canberra clients, which I attend. I was at the game on Sunday, and now have a new-found respect for the green machine. Unheralded players (but I'm sure much-heralded by their fans) such as Michael Weyman, Kris Kahler, Troy Thompson, and Todd Carney (even though his head looked like a hot cross bun) really impressed me. I dont have the priveledge of FOX at home, and have only seen them 2 or 3 times this season, and so hardly know of these guys other than seeing them mentioned on the forums etc. But they definitely can play. And as for Clinton Shifcofske, now I know why their fans rate him so highly.
Aside from all the dramas during Golden Point, in my eyes they deserved the win (I was a neutral spectator and tipped the Tigers). Furthermore, they really deserve more credit than they are getting. Seemingly the majority of times they win, its a somewhat surprising result.
What they also deserve are bigger crowds. To my left, I saw what was known as the Raiders Army, proudly singing and yelling all game. But there weren't many of them. It even appeared they were outnumbered by the travelling Tigers faithful next to them. This isn't a dig at the Raiders fans, more of an observation. In a game critical to their season I was somewhat disappointed that only 9,120 odd people (many of whom were Tigers Fans) were there to watch. A victim of cold weather combined with Foxtel perhaps??? Only the Canberra people could really know.
They may make the finals in 06, they may not. Whatever the case is I'm sure many will take the same view on them at the start of next season. Losing senior players like Schifcoske, Woolford, Smith, not to mention their coach - to be replaced by a beginner in the top flight - must surely spell doom for their chances.....they can't be a threat.....
Dont be so sure. They may be light on quality/big name players but "pound-for-pound" they'd have to be one of the best clubs in the comp. From what I saw yesterday, they are a true "team" of players who just get stuck in and get the job done. They may not be the best side on-paper, but they regularly fight above their weight on the paddock.
Yes, I'm a loyal, rabid Dragons fan but I'm also a loyal, rabid fan of Rugby League. As such, I just wanted to write this to give a bit of credit where credit is due. They were once the pride of the League, and for the sake of League I hope they can once again become a force in the competition. But please hold off for another week boys, you've got the Dragons next....
