My kids gave me a rugby league crystal ball for Father’s Day and I got around to firing it up late Sunday night.
When activated it gave off an eerie green glow, nothing that remotely resembled blue, maroon, black, white, gold or even purple.
I shook my head, switched it off and on again but the result was the same. The darned thing kept predicting a Canberra Raiders title triumph in 2012.
Surely not, I mused, the Raiders as premiers? Stranger things have not happened.
David Furner’s team was down among the dead men at the halfway point of the season.
They were second from the bottom on the table, copping 30, 40 plus floggings and Furner looked certain to be heading for the guillotine, well before the Raiders race was run.
But, no, there must be something funny in the Canberra Milk. The team got its act together and went on an incredible run, winning a string of five sudden death games to finish sixth and snare a home finals match against a spluttering Cronulla Sharks.
It’s certainly one for Mr Ripley: believe it, or not.
If the Canberra lads continue their roll, every week will seem like another adventure at a time when everyone expected them to be lazing around on their end of year trip.
They can certainly score a try, but conceding far too many of them caused serious problems in the first half of the year. Those flaws in defence have (almost) been corrected, replaced by a steely resolve and air of confidence that Cronulla will need to penetrate.
The re-born Green Machine has several richly talented players, some necessary workhorses and a flair for the unpredictable. As perennial underdogs, they will be playing without heavy pressure and will chance their arm from any part of the field.
They have plenty of size and mobility up front, a Gallen-like workaholic in lock Shaun Fensom, a handy goal-kicker in Jarrod Croker and a trio of backline try merchants in Josh Dugan, Reece Robinson and Blake Ferguson.
Cronulla seemed to lack drive and passion in the back end of last Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys at home. Perhaps they had their eyes on the finals campaign ahead, perhaps they are running on empty at a time when the tank should be full.
Sharkies supporters are entitled to be chewing their nails after viewing that disappointment, although their team enjoys a terrific record at Canberra Stadium, winning at six of their last eight at the venue.
Of course, none of those games carried finals status and a huge Sunday afternoon crowd will more than likely await them in the nation’s capital.
A major fan focus will be on Cronulla pivot Todd Carney, a player sacked by the Raiders several years ago before he was picked up by the Roosters and now, the Sharks.
Carney will undoubtedly cop loads of banter from around the ground but he is in strong form and will need to be kept in leg irons.
The performance of Canberra winger Ferguson will also be closely monitored. This is the player who left Cronulla two seasons ago explaining he wanted to play with a club capable of winning a premiership, not an outfit plagued by an uncertain future.
All in all, there is plenty of spice and intrigue to come from this game, and the excitement could go right down to the wire. Extra time golden point is not out of the question.
Do you think Canberra will be soft touches in the playoff series? Is there such a thing as jolly green giant killer?
Impossible to say, unless you’ve got a crystal ball.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I cant help thinking that now the raiders over achieved and got 6th place, that its a case of job done.
eddy the eel
Guest
I'm wishing the dogs choke.
Johnno
Guest
lol NF, well i just changed it.
Alan
Roar Guru
Good point JH - Raiders came sixth in 2008, fail in 2009, make semi-finals in 2010, fail in 2011 and now they make the finals yet again with great momentum..... It really is a rollercoaster ride when supporting the Raiders. I wish Dave Furner all the best.
james
Guest
already sold 20,000 tickets so there should be more
JazzyJase
Roar Pro
They reckon Wagga Wagga is even sophisticated and stuff http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/were-not-bogans-wagga-oozing-with-culture-20120904-25bgo.html Go the Sharkies
Stu
Guest
I hope Furner does do that but I can't see it. I watched the Warriors v Raiders game and it was similar in attacking style to the Bulldogs game including some of the same set moves. If they want to expand their territory I hope they play more matches in Wagga in 2013.
NF
Guest
'When Canberra is strong Rugby league is strong.' I thought it was Souths lol. 'When the Cowboys are strong, rugby league will be better for it'.
Johnno
Guest
-A strong Canberra is good for rugby league. When Canberra is strong Rugby league is strong. Going to be a great match Cronulla facing 20,000 crowd or more will do it tough. Carney will be ver nervous I think he may choke. He would be dreading this type of match.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Agreed, Sledgeross, but he will be allowed to roam and bob up anywhere a try opportunity exists. Makes him even more dangerous in my book.
Tim Prentice
Expert
No, JH, go the Crokers . . .
Tim Prentice
Expert
Hi Stu. Interesting theory, but who can say that coach Furner hasn't got some special plays to unleash on unsuspecting opponents in the finals? (Such as holding the ball until the fifth, tackling for 80 mins etc etc). Now THAT would fool 'em for sure. Seriously, I would love the Raiders to continue their momentum and claim some big scalps in the weeks ahead. Good for the club and its vast territory, good for the Raiders' faithful and great for the game.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Prezactly. Our "play well once a month style" is the exact opposite of what's required for a premiership.
Stu
Guest
That one and two, Bulldogs and Storm, both lost in emphatic fashion during the season to the Raiders stands in their favour surely...but...I would have thought that the Raiders have tipped their hand. Hasler and Bellamy will have new plays that haven't seen the light of day until the finals, for the raiders, the other coaches will just watch the tape. It is a conspiracy-like theory but I think that Hasler and Bellamy have been to so many finals that they start training their teams for them 8-10 weeks out. The evidence is how poor first and second have been playing. They have both looked 'not great' over the last 8-10 weeks - losing or just getting through wins. The players aren't allowed to use the new plays that they're training to do in regular season games - which is why they seem to be playing less than their capacity and just getting by. They don't want other coaches being able to prepare for their attack prior to the finals. A great example was that little play the Dogs put on against the Roosters, the 'fake run around the switch the attack side' right at the line. That was pulled off perfectly and yet no one has seen them do it all year. The Raiders have had to pull out all their tricks up front to stay in contention. That isn't to say they can't win, because they are good at what they do, but there just won't be the surprises that we'll see this week fom the Dogs and the Storm. Thus ends the conspiracy rant.
JH
Guest
This is just another part in the Canberra cycle - Do nothing for a year or two. Have a miserable start to the season, have everyone write you off. Go on a huge winning streak and make the finals. Win your first final to give fans some hope, Get knocked out in the semis. Start premiership favourites for the next year but fail big time. It has been happening for years. I'd love to see a Canberra win, it really seems to bring us together when the Brumbies or Raiders do well. Same applies but to a lesser extent for our WNBL and W-League teams. But it won't happen anytime soon. They are chokers.
josh
Guest
the Sharks have no heart, they'll get smashed in the second half.
james
Guest
gotta love this buzz around town. over 9000 tickets sold and it only opens to the public today. if we get a fine weekend weather wise I'm hoping for 20k+ crowd booing Carney all the way back to Sydney.
Az
Guest
UP UP CRONULLA.... THE MIGHTY SHARKS WILL WALK THIS ONE THROUGH... SEE YA SUNDAY CANBERRA
sledgeross
Guest
As a Sharks fan, Im very happy Reece Robinson will be on the wing rather than fullback, hes been close to the best non-rep back this year.