The Canberra Raiders will enter the NRL finals as the real dark horses to take out the competition. A young and talented team, Canberra has won seven of their last eight games heading into the final round.
They have been in great form of late, smashing the table-topping Dragons as well as defeating the third-placed Panthers.
They seem to be able to score tries at will and throw the ball around a lot. In Josh Dugan they have probably the most exciting young player in rugby league. He is supported by an emerging forward pack, spearheaded by Origin reps David Shillington and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.
They also have a quality half in David Campese and good centres in Joel Monaghan and Jarrod Croker. But probably the key for Canberra is their hooker and captain Alan Tongue. An old-style player, Tongue is a no-nonsense battler who always throws himself into battle and leads from the front. He is a real inspirational captain for the Raiders and as tough as nails.
Tongue will miss the final round match against the Broncos, a key game which will sort out where the Raiders finish in the eight or if they lose, they will miss out completely. I think the Raiders will beat Brisbane and be a real danger team in the semis. The likes of St George, Penrith and the Tigers will want to avoid them in the first round of the finals.
This Canberra team reminds me in some ways of the great West Tigers team in 2005 that surged in and took out the NRL title from nowhere. The Raiders are young, unafraid and bursting with talent.
While next year the Raiders will be boosted by signings Brett White from Melbourne and Blake Ferguson from Cronulla, they may hit pay dirt a season early and be a real chance this year.
Dean- Surry Hills
Guest
I reckon they will go all the way - back to the A.C.T - after the Penny Panthers give them a lesson in football discipline. One thing I'm happy about is that the Saints don't have to play their bogey side in week one, because the chances of them losing that match would be 50/50. If they lost they would then play a team that finished way down the ladder at their home ground - like last year against the Broncos at Suncorp - what a farce ! 26 rounds to become minor premiers - one poor match, and you get to play on someone elses home turf in a sudden death encounter!
Whites
Guest
I Agree
Matt
Guest
Agree that Alan's best years are behind him, but what he offers, is (even when played out of position)_, is a cool head, strong leadership and "FOLLOW ME!" attitude, very necessary in a young team. In saying that, Buttriss lifts the team when he comes on.
oikee
Guest
I wish we had Tonguey at the Broncos, our 2 young hookers are rudderless at the moment. Trust me, you notice these things when a senior player is not around.
Jammy
Guest
I laugh and scoff at anyone who calls any player in the NRL worthless. The physical, and so mental, stress these blokes put on their bodies week in week out makes them far from being worthless.
Luke W
Guest
Read it: WORTHLESS! Don't give me the inspirational crap. Just look at Gidley in the Origin. Our inspirational fullback. Why didn't NSW win the series with such an inspirational leader in a crucial position? Do me a favour. Go to the NRLStats site and look up Tongue's stats for the last few years. Ignoring the 2006 campaign (where I will agree he was very good player and lead Canberra well that year) and you see a struggling lock, a poor hooker and a guy who has been talked up because he "gives it his all". I'm glad the Canberra fans are starting to wake up. Tongue is (and has been) holding back the Canberra Raiders. Someone needs to give him the tap on the shoulder and tell him that he is a third choice hooker and lock. Too bad Dave Furner is the worst coach in the league. I would cut him some slack if his role in the team was to be a tackling workhorse. He is good at that. He has a good motor, and doesn't miss many. But, he tries to play as a third playmaker and just gets in the way.
Jeff
Guest
Maybe your right, but I aint seen any consistency from him yet!! great on his day, but pretty ordinary on others.
berra boy
Guest
campo hasn't gone missing in a big game for months - his discipline and drive has been exceptional over the past 8 weeks. And the cliche that McCrone can't play half is old news - these two are playing very very well together. Can't wait to see Wallace get smashed tonight - it was his appalling game for NSW that got campo dropped - hit him hard Shillo ;)
berra boy
Guest
;)
berra boy
Guest
agree - buttris so much better from dummy half
Jeff
Guest
Campo seems to go missing in BIG games. Tongue is essential to Raiders hopes, he is The Work Horse of that team,. Go Broncs
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Apologies, I named the wrong Campo. But if he continues to play well and utilise his uncle's famous genes, then the Raiders will do well. I agree that Tongue isn't primarily a hooker, he's much better at lock. He is far from the most creative player the Raiders have, but he seems to be a player that other players love to have around. Like a Hindmarsh or a Steve Menzies, the younger players look up to him and he is a workhorse. Rotating hookers is definitely the way to go, that's one of the reasons Manly were so dangerous in 2008 was when they had Matt Balin starting the game and Health L'Estrange coming off the bench.
Jay
Guest
They might knock off the Dragons in week one and ruin their campaign, but I dont think that the Raiders can go all the way this year. My darkhorse for the finals are the Warriors. The Raiders, however, might be favourites to win if they get a decent halfback. McCrone and Hebert arnt really that good, perhaps they should have made a play for Hodkinson
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
No.
Gareth
Guest
I think a lot of people are giving Tonguey a bum rap since he's been playing out of position and not to his strengths. I'd agree that he's third choice hooker behind Waddell and Buttriss, but he has to be in the side somewhere. His presence off the ball really lifts the Raiders in the tough games and keeps confidence up. The Raiders haven't exactly been short on confidence over the last few weeks, but coming into finals footy it's a real loss to not have Tongue available. Thankfully we have Shaun Fensom, who has moulded his playing style on the man himself, to step up into the role of cleaning up around the ruck and making 50 tackles a game, but make no bones about it. We will miss his leadership.
Stormybill
Guest
How about those raiders fans bagging a leader like Alan Toungue! Most clubs would love a bloke like that in their ranks.
Coops
Guest
Alan Tounge is NOT a hooker, he is a lock. He gets called into play nine when the Raiders are short on dummy halves. As a lock Toungeuy has come within a whisker of SoO selection, about two or three years ago. He maybe coming toward the end of his career, but as leader and for reliabilty you won't find one better anywhere.
Kev
Guest
@ Luke W: "ARGH! Tongue is the most worthless player in the league!" That is probably the most IGNORANT comment I've ever heard. While I don't agree that our hopes hinge on him nearly as much as they used to and yes his position on the field is coming under increased pressure (which is good) - how about you take a trip out to Raiders HQ, Luke W, and ask his teammates whether they think he's 'worthless'? And while you're at it ask his opponents throughout the NRL - they'll tell you how 'worthless' he is.
DingoBob
Guest
When did David Campese come out of retirement to play for the Raiders?
Republican
Guest
NO.