Patience and composure will be watchwords for the young Canberra Raiders side this season. While missing the NRL finals last year was a disappointment, Raiders coach David Furner saw enough over the second half of the season to be optimistic about 2010.

“After reflecting on the season both visually and talking to players, there were chances we didn’t take,” Furner told AAP.

“I think the main thing is that confidence and a little bit of composure.

“When the games are tight, just being able to be patient about setting yourself up for repeat sets … that’s what we need to do.”

The Raiders finished 13th in 2009 with nine wins and 15 losses, as the team, peppered with five debutants, struggled to find consistency.

That was highlighted by the fact they beat five of the sides that finished in the top seven, including a 56-0 hammering of Brisbane at Canberra Stadium.

Conversely, seven of their 15 losses were to sides who finished in the bottom half of the ladder, including home defeats to the bottom two, Cronulla and Sydney Roosters.

Many of the losses could be blamed on a lack of maturity, and Furner said pressure was on the young players blooded last year to raise their games in 2010 as a result of that experience.

“They actually have to work harder. They have to be consistent week in week out,” he said.

“I thought that our back end of the season was very positive but we need to start there.”

The Raiders’ prospects will again lie very much with their representative five eighth Terry Campese.

The loss of experienced trio Phil Graham (Sydney Roosters) and Nigel Plum and Adrian Purtell (Penrith) has been offset by the arrival of 26-year-old journeyman Danny Galea.

The former Penrith and Wests Tigers utility has played much of his career as a backrower, but is expected to also see plenty of time in the centres.

“I was looking for a little bit more experience in the squad and Danny comes with 100 or so NRL games,” Furner said.

“He’s a very good addition.”

The Raiders’ talismanic captain Alan Tongue said Galea’s pre-season performance had left a lasting impression.

“We are a bit lighter on in experience in the outside backs and he can be somebody who can cover there,” he said.

“I’ve been really impressed with him ever since he came to the club.

“His work ethic is brilliant and he looks like he can offer us a lot.”

Tongue pinpointed the team’s poor record away from the national capital as an area in need of major improvement.

The Raiders won only two of 12 matches on the road in 2010, compared to a 7-5 win-loss record at Canberra Stadium.

All five of their wins against sides that made the finals were achieved at home.

“Our home and away form is in too stark contrast,” he said.

“That’s the difference between a good side and a great side.”

Canberra

Year entered premiership: 1982

Premierships: 3 – 1989, 1990, 1994

Finishes over the past three years: 2009 – 13th; 2008 – qualifying finals; 2007 – 14th

Coach: David Furner

Captain: Alan Tongue

Gains: Danny Galea (Wests Tigers)

Losses: Phil Graham (Sydney Roosters), Adrian Purtell (Penrith), Nigel Plum (Penrith), Glen Turner (retired)

Money Man: Terry Campese. It was no coincidence that when Campese’s form slumped following his NSW Origin axing, so too did that of the Raiders. No club has a player more vital to their success than Campese at the Raiders.

One to watch: Josh Dugan. Made such an impact in his rookie campaign that he was picked in the Prime Minister’s XIII to play Papua New Guinea. It would be no surprise to see the long-striding youngster add to his representative resume in 2010.

Best team: Josh Dugan, Justin Carney, Jarrod Croker, Joel Monaghan, Daniel Vidot, Terry Campese, Marc Herbert, David Shillington, Travis Waddell, Dane Tilse, Bronson Harrison, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Alan Tongue (capt) Interchange: Josh Miller, Troy Thompson, Scott Logan, Joel Thompson

Premiership odds: Centrebet $41, TAB SportsBet $34.

© AAP 2012

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