With arguably the most talented crop of young first graders at their disposal, the Canberra Raiders are no longer a fancy bet for a wooden spoon in 2011, but a realistic hope of lifting their first premiership since 1994.
Such a statement deserves to be mentioned, given the way the Raiders exploded into life late last season.
With their top eight hopes all but dashed after round 17, the Raiders went on to win eight of their last nine matches to secure a finals birth, finishing in seventh position on the NRL ladder.
Despite finishing on the fridge of the top eight, the Raiders were undoubtedly the in-form team during the latter stages of 2010, and showed they were a real threat for the premiership when they upset the Penrith Panthers in the first week of the finals.
Their dream finals run was eventually ended by a heartbreaking semi-final loss to the Wests Tigers in front of a packed Canberra Stadium- a defeat which was cruelly compounded by the loss of five-eighth Terry Campese to a serious knee injury.
Campese is expected to miss the first six months of season 2011, with the Raiders hoping they find themselves in a strong position to make a finals charge when he returns to the starting line-up.
Although Campese’s lengthy layoff will hurt the Raiders, the signing of former Sea Eagles Premiership captain Matt Orford will assist Canberra immensely.
If Orford manages to recapture the form which saw him win the Dally M Medal and Premiership in 2008, the Raiders will be able to pick up from where they left off last season and challenge for the premiership.
No doubt a fit and firing Orford and Campese in the halves may just prove to be the final piece in a Canberra puzzle which is beginning to look as formidable as the great Raiders sides of the late eighties and early nineties.
Young stars such as Josh Dugan, Daniel Vidot, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson and new signing Blake Ferguson, form a formidable Raiders backline that will ooze confidence heading into 2011.
Dugan is arguably the brightest star in the NRL at the moment, and comes into season 2011 with many predicting that he could claim his maiden NSW jersey come State Of Origin time.
His statistics last season certainly back up the fact that Dugan has become one of the most influential players in the NRL, at the tender age of 20.
Dugan trailed only Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne in metres made by a custodian last season, making 3634 metres. The Raiders No.1 also made the most tackle breaks of any player, notching up 192, which was 22 breaks clear of the next best player – Shaun Kenny Dowall.
Dugan also certified himself as one of the NRL’s best kick returners, making 1549 metres. Only Penrith Panthers fullback Lachlan Coote made more metres.
Vidot is another young Raider to keep an eye out for in 2011, scoring 16 tries last season. His performances since he debuted for the Raiders in 2009, has already earn’t Vidot a spot on the Queensland Emerging Origin camp tutored by Wayne Bennett.
The Raiders strengths however do not end with their backline. Canberra’s forward pack finally came of age last season, making the most metres of any side in 2010, averaging 1408 metres a match.
It is a pack that should dominate again in 2011, with Origin and Test calibre forwards David Shillington, Tom Learoyd-Lars, Bronson Harrison, Brett White and Alan Tongue making up a superb Raiders pack.
With a starting 17 that should make the finals, the Raiders have a great opportunity to make the most of a favourable 2011 draw, and avoid the early season mishaps that have cost them dearly in previous campaigns.
Canberra play three of their opening four matches at home to start 2011 which includes games against the Cronulla Sharks, Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans.
Although the Titans will prove difficult to beat, the Raiders should fancy their chances of getting three wins in the opening month of the season, thus laying a suitable platform which could prove vital in deciding whether or not they finish in the top half of the top eight.
Despite the injury to Campese, the Raiders have no excuses if they fail to make the finals this season. Their roster is well-balanced and in Dugan, possess a player capable of changing the course of a match in an instant.
There is simply too much talent in the Raiders line-up, and if all players reach their potential, Canberra will be a serious premiership threat in 2011.
Why they’ll win:
Dugan leads exciting backline, Orford signing is huge plus
Shillington and co. lead formidable forward packWhy they won’t:
Could struggle without Campese
Injuries have never been kind to the RaidersTAB Sportsbet odds
Premiership winner – $18.00
Wooden spoon – $15.00Additions: Blake Ferguson, Brett White, Mark Ioane, Matt Orford, Nathan Massey
Departures: Justin Carney (Sydney Roosters), Scott Logan (Retired), Troy Thompson (Melbourne Storm), Adam Mogg (Retired), Marc Herbert (Bradford Bulls – Super League), Joel Monaghan (Warrington Wolves).
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