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How I fell in love with the Canberra Raiders

Blake Austin will make his return against the Panthers. (Photo: NRL images)
Expert
28th July, 2015
34
1352 Reads

As we head into Round 21 of the NRL competition who could have possible predicted that the ladder would look like it currently does.

With two Queensland teams leading the way (Brisbane are on 34 points and the Cowboys are on 32 points) and the Wests Tigers rounding us out at the bottom, the 2015 NRL season has been full of surprises.

Sitting just outside the top 8 on 20 points are the Canberra Raiders – they are just two points out of the top 8, and with the New Zealand Warriors having lost Shaun Johnson for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, it is a very real possibility that this is the week that the Canberra Raiders will finally sneak into the 8.

The Raiders last played finals football in 2012, and I find myself growing increasingly excited as they creep closer September.

As a Parramatta Eels fan this is something I thought I would never say. I vowed at the end of the 2013 season that I would never cheer for a team coached by Ricky Stuart. Following the controversy of his leaving Parramatta and my view that he left my club high and dry, for me, Stuart became public enemy number one.

All season I have been fighting an undeniable urge to cheer for the Raiders. I am fighting it no longer and have decided to embrace it. Why this urge?

It’s for a number of reasons.

Firstly, I have a weakness for the underdog. A weakness for cheering for that player or that team that nobody else notices. It’s been reflected in my favourite Parramatta players over the years. While everyone else was cheering for Jarryd Hayne, I was cheering for David Gower. While everyone else was cheering for Nathan Hindmarsh, I was cheering for Todd Lowrie.

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Over the past couple of seasons, the Raiders have been underdogs – the last time they won a Premiership was 1994 and since 2005 have only played Finals football a total of four times. They have tried hard, but often failed at the final hurdle and for the last couple of seasons, I have often perceived the Raiders as an easy target for a win.

Another reason I can’t help but like the Raiders is because of their approach when it comes to player discipline. The Canberra Raiders are a club that has always taken a strong stance when it comes to player behaviour (think Todd Carney and Blake Ferguson).

Despite this strong stance, other clubs often pounce when the players release a player and their strong stance works to their detriment. Despite this, they have continued to take a strong stance and it is something I truly applaud them for.

However, if I am honest with all of you, the real reason I have fallen in love with the Canberra Raiders this year is because of one player. I tune into Raiders game just to watch this man play. I think he is tremendous – both on and off the field, and his name is Blake Austin.

Whether is it hanging out with his young fans off the field, styling that fabulous beard, or starring in some of the Raiders’ most memorable victories this year, like their 36-22 victory over the Newcastle Knights.

When you think about the first four years of Blake’s careers, spent with the Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers floating in and out of first grade, it is remarkable how much he has shone after being given the number six position for the Raiders.

A truly remarkable player – young, energetic, skilled and enthusiastic, the sky seems to be the limit and I really do love watching him play football.

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So, onward and upward for the Raiders. If they make it in September I’m looking forward to watching Austin shine in September.

And I hope you will all join me next year on the #austinfororigin bandwagon because this kid is only going to get better.

This story is dedicated to my friends Tim Gore and Denis Carnahan, who love the Raiders almost as much as I love David Gower from the Parramatta Eels.

This is @mary__kaye from @ladieswholeague

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