I think it’s time for Canberra to bite the bullet and move on veteran five-eighth Terry Campese.
Campo has been ineffectual for the Raiders this year, and it is clear that the wear and tear on his troublesome knee has taken its toll.
It is always hard to push a club stalwart into the background but Campese is a realist. He must know he is operating on borrowed time.
In desperate straits after just nine rounds, Canberra cannot afford to field a player less than 100 per cent fit. I think it’s time for coach Ricky Stuart to tap Campese on the shoulder.
At the start of last year, I was trying to return from knee surgery with the Bulldogs. Despite my best intentions, my body would not and could not do what I was asking of it.
It was a tough decision but I didn’t want to hold anyone back and decided that instant retirement was my best option. Campese has been a tremendous player and servant of the Canberra club, but I honestly believe he has done all he can for the Raiders’ cause.
He should be used as a mentor for the young halves coming through the system at Canberra. Mitch Cornish is a brilliant prospect from their National Youth Competition team and I think he is ready for a shot at the big time.
I’d like to see Josh McCrone given a place in the starting team, Anthony Milford should be moved closer to the action at five-eighth, while Jack Wighton is best suited at centre.
The dangerous Reece Robinson was a huge hit at fullback last year and I’d like to see him switched back there in a bid to spark the Raiders’ attack.
Canberra have been thrashed in their last two outings and big changes are needed in personnel and attitude if they are to salvage their season.
The team’s defence has to be addressed more than anything. Some of the attempted tackles and poor defensive reads in the last two games against Manly and New Zealand would be savaged at schoolboy level. Defence is an attitude and the Raiders need to get plenty of it and fast.
I have never been coached by Stuart and I’m not familiar with his methods, but it seems obvious that what he is doing is failing miserably.
The coach and the entire NRL team should be taking a long, hard look at themselves. There is still time to avert total disaster in 2014, but it is running out quickly.
They have a chance to stop the rot against Penrith in Canberra on Sunday. I am hoping that they do.
bob
Guest
With such an opinion you should best learn to spell!!!!!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
good player, perhaps a move into the backrow is his best option, lost a fair bit of toe.
John
Guest
I like Terry Campese but I think the speed of the game and his age is getting away from him. But I'm wondering if Ricky does drop him will he lose the dressing room? Assuming he hasn't already.
Baz
Guest
JOD, compassion from a Manly fan? I applaud you my friend.
Carlos
Guest
Its hard to understand what sticky is doing, what ever it is all I can say is I glad he's not doing it a Parra anymore... I thought Reece Robinson was awful against the warriors and was left for dust several times and generally caught out in defence he's probably best at 1 with Milford to 6 is a very sensible suggestion. Though I would hope they let Campo go out on his own terms rather than just dropping him.
Baz
Guest
Nick Inatey
Guest
Thank you Steve. Its finally nice to see a former player come down hard on Stuart. More of it is needed.
xavialonso
Guest
Great piece Steve. Campo is a fine player. I dont think he is done just yet. This is his second year back from a potentialcareer ending injury. They should stick with Campo until the end of this year and assess their options. But I feel he will come good. Too much class.
Graham Sanyo
Guest
OK so it's agreed. Campese won't be wearing the sky blue number 6 for the opening State Of Origin game.
Branko
Guest
Nice read Steve. As a Raiders fan it is hugely disappointing to see Campese in his current physical and emotional state. He could have been anything from 2010 onwards. That fateful night vs Tigers in the semi final will forever be one of my more shocking memories watching RL. Up there with the Ricky Stuart broken ankle in 1993.
Chris
Guest
Of course, Stuart should be looking in a mirror before singling out any players. Parra have gone up and up since he left and the Raiders have gone down and down since he started.
Chop
Roar Guru
Campese is only a minor part of the problem IMHO Wighton isn't a playmaker and Campo is too immobile to play in the halves. I think he could be an OK second rower. Wighton needs to play centre or wing, Robbo to fullback and Milford to play 5/8 with McCrone at 1/2 and I think the team would be much more potent in attack. McCrone is ok in defence and they'd have to cover Milford in the front line but Fensom could do the job. Their forwards seem to be really slow and lacking fitness. I go to a few games but Tilse, White and Shillington just don't look match fit to me, they don't give the halves and backs any momentum to play off.
Amaroo Eagle
Roar Rookie
+1 Thanks Steve for giving an honest opinion and not some fluff piece about how the NRL or Canberra Raiders owe something to Campo. For what it is worth, I have enjoyed many a game out at Bruce Stadium in Canberra watching and often marvelling the skills and power of Terry Campese. Those memories will stay with me for a long time. Please Terry don't let your legacy be ruined by ignoring your current abilities. Think long and hard about your future, I for one think you'd make a fine coach and mentor to the kids coming through, probably far better than your current coach.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Much as I am a Campese fan, I do feel his time has come but to lay two 50 plus scores on an out of form Campese is not on. Here the blame lies solely with the coach.
Chris
Guest
If I was Campese I'd go milk it in Japan for a couple of years. His surname alone would guarantee big bucks and the less physical style over there would suit someone so injury prone. If Carney could handle the drink him and Campese could have gone down as an all time great halves pairing.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
yeah totally agree with a lot of what is being said here. Milford is going so I'd only being picking him on the bench. Robinson back to fullback, Wighton back to Centres. And yes it's time to give Cornish a chance.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's a shame but it's spot on. Campo was devastatingly good a few years ago but injury after injury has hammered him. Looks like his confidence is as shot as his knees.
Ryan
Guest
I think wighton has the talent to be one of the best centres in the game in a few years but he's not a 5/8.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Refreshing to see a recent ex-player not play buddy buddy and give a good opinion. Nice work steve
Sideline Comm.
Guest
I heard Joey talking about him on Triple M on the weekend, and he just said, that as much as he respects him, he's done and dusted and has been for some time. Also, they were all saying that Wighton is no half, but a natural centre and they're kidding themselves trying to make him one.