Ricky Stuart was quoted in the media last week saying that for the club to rebuild, more short-term pain would probably be required.
However Ricky was adamant that better times were coming as the club developed and recruited the sorts of players needed for the future.
On Friday night, we got a little bit of that promise in the form of powerhouse centre-cum-winger Brenko Lee, and a lot more of the pain.
The Raiders played appallingly, and a large part of the problem was veteran players not delivering.
Stuart should look at what former teammate Michael Maguire has done at Souths. Maguire has had the courage to drop big name players, including captains, such as Roy Asotasi, Michael Crocker and Matt King. He even dropped Nathan Merrit, who was the face of the franchise and the clearest link with the club’s Indigenous heritage.
All these changes were made in the name of results and, for the most part, that is exactly what Maguire has delivered.
Or Stuart should look back twelve months in his own career at the player cleanout he conducted at the Eels in 2013. Eels fans didn’t like it at the time, and most are still reluctant to credit it him for it now, but the Eels are absolutely reaping the rewards of the changes Ricky made.
Meanwhile, back in Canberra, Stuart is still persisting with Terry Campese’s barely animated corpse, not to mention the other members of the walking dead in Reece Robinson and Brett White.
Large sections of the crowd at Canberra Stadium cheered when Campese came off the field hurt on Friday night. Cheered. This is the club captain and the man who led remarkable runs to the finals in 2008 and 2010. But for Raiders fans who remember those glory days, it is truly excruciating to watch Campese play now.
The problem with great athletes – and fair enough if you want to argue whether Campo fits that description or not – is that the very same work ethic and self-belief that got them to the top – again, ‘the top’ for Campo may be a relative term – is the thing that compels them to hang on after it’s gone.
Guys who have been to the pinnacle – and let’s not forget that Campese was a genuine Dally M contender at the start of the 2009 season – will always believe they are just about to turn the corner. That they just need a little bit more time, a little bit more work on the training paddock, and a little bit more luck and they’ll be back in control.
But they won’t. They’ll never get that time back and they’ll never get the luck back either.
For Terry Campese, the vision is still there but the defence is always on him just a little too quickly, so everything he tries unfolds in slow motion.
The scything cross-field run to open holes for his second-rowers are now stately lateral plods. One has to feel for poor Joel Edwards, and in previous weeks Jarrad Kennedy, trying to run an outside-in line and getting picked off as soon as they get the ball because it takes Campese so long to get there.
That Campese can’t run the ball is now accepted fact. Defences don’t even bother defending the inside line because if Campo does cut back he’s not going anywhere before the scramble gets him.
As for Campese’s kicking game, it has so completely abandoned him that Raiders fans are admiring Glen Buttriss’ kicking game.
As bad as Campese’s attack is, his defence may be even more of a liability. Campese is still a large man and a rugged defender – when the opposition runs directly at him. Sadly, most teams have realised you can go around Campo fairly easily these days. This has led Campese to his current approach of shooting out to try to cut of the attack before it develops. All this generally achieves is to place more pressure on Jarrod Croker, who has only begun to recover from trying to defend next to the human speedbump Sam Williams.
Terry Campese is a passionate player who clearly loves the club. He has said it is still his goal to win the premiership with the Raiders. But that is simply not going to happen.
One of two things needs to happen – either Ricky Stuart needs to find his courage and drop Campese, or if Terry really loves the club, the very best thing he could do for it is to walk the heck away.
Lachlan Bickley
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comments folks. Always good to get strong discussion - though we didn't see much dissent on my point of view this time. From the team sheet yesterday we can see that Ricky still doesn't agree with the majority of us here who feel like Campese has to go
Hayley Maher
Roar Pro
Ricky seems to have a knack for destroying 5/8 / halfbacks.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
As a Raiders supporter I have to agree with all the comments being made here. Terry Campese has been a great servant of the Raiders but it is time to acknowledge that his time has come and gone. With almost half the season gone it's time to see what other players can bring to the Raiders' sputtering attack. Every team and supporter knows that Campese can no longer run with the ball and the Raiders attack has become very predictable as a result. With the current roster the best option would be to put McCrone into 5/8 - where he excelled when Campese was injured - and have faith in Cornish at half back who is the future of the club. Buttriss and Baptiste can share the hooker duties. Baptiste has been playing well in the Qld Cup and needs to be given a chance. At least these four will bring plenty of energy and enthusiasm to the attack. In terms of the full back position I can't see an immediate solution. There are concerns with Milford because although he provides plenty of spark in attack he provides little in the way of kick return. Given that Robinson had an excellent season when Dugan was continually injured a couple of seasons ago it was understandable that he was given a chance to show whether he could still cut it. Robinson can be devastating in broken play and also passes the ball. Unless Robinson can rediscover some form I think Stuart has little option but to continue with Milford until he can find a suitable replacement.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
I backed the Bulldogs v the Raiders and I can assure you that I would have increased my investment five fold had I known that the Raiders only world class player would not come on for almost 1 hour when the game was over. Milford is a genuine star and he was THE only chance the Raiders had of scoring enough points to defeat the very strong defence Bulldogs. I assumed he was injured but to say he only had one training run with the team was just BS. Billy Slater did not train either but he managed to be the Man of the Match for the Storm, and did you noticed that the Dragons were in trouble until Origin player Dugans scored? Given that the Raiders cannot make the 8 and Milford will be at the Broncos next year, it would be better long term to just drop him and try new combinations. That way we dont have to listen to hollow stories. I have suspected Campo was "gone" last year but was happy to give him some slack given his immense contribution to the raiders and the game. Sadly age and injuries have caught up with him. The problem is that I cannot see an obvious replacement.
Parrafan
Guest
You're correct Barry. I don't think many people had a problem with Ricky cleaning out Parramatta's roster. I had a great issue in the manner it was done and some of the players who were told to go. Hopefully Ricky has learnt his lesson and will have a quiet word to blokes who aren't wanted next year and do it soon. That way the player(s) and club can part on amicable terms. Following that the Raiders also need to be able to recruit and that is where there problem lies. Hopefully they have some brilliant juniors coming though or otherwise there may be a couple of years of pain still to come.
Parrafan
Guest
Just providing Ricky Stuarts reasoning. That was the greatest thinker in leagues reason for why Milford didn't play in the run on squad, because he only had one session with the boys prior to the game.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The Raiders need a cleanout. Friday was the first decent game I've seen from Shillington in a long time. Guys like White, Tilse, TLL, McCrone have been awful for a long time and the culture at the place has seemed pretty ordinary for a lot of years evidenced by young players constantly getting in trouble and the team underachieving. Sometimes players can come back from serious knee injuries (Brent Tate) and sometimes they can't. Campo at his best was brilliant but now he's a slow motion shadow of his former self. Stuart's on a hiding to nothing. If he puts a broom through the place everyone will say "Ricky's at it again" but he's not going to achieve anything waiting for this lot to retire.
Chop
Roar Guru
Surely you're taking the piss? He needs to be in the pack or off the bench. He's to slow and ineffective to play in the halves. Cornish and the other young kid who's name escapes me now would be my halves for the rest of the season. I'd drop McCrone or play him at 9.
Charles NSW
Guest
It is sad that too many coaches dump players if things are not going their way. Every effort must be made to find out where the problems lies and address them. If they are playing injured give them a rest and let them repair the damage before starting again. In my view coaches must work with what they have in front of them and then put in there shopping list for the future if needed. In my view Ricky Stewart is a woeful coach if he feels that he must destroy everyone to get a result.
George
Guest
Yep, Campo needs to retire if he wants anyone to remember the good times.
Macca
Guest
Campo needs to go and the captaincy given to someone who has a go and leads by example, Fensom or Croker. Milford is leaving and doesn't deserve a run, what's the point in giving a player game time who is leaving and we don't have a fullback for next year unless Robbison can fin some form again.
David
Guest
It's sad to see the ghost of Campese run out each week. He is losing credibility, respect and games. I love you campo, but it's time mate.
Solly
Guest
Campo,off the bench would do,at least he could salvage some pride and go out some winner,if ever raiders win some games and if they lose the focus shifts to incumbents.
Chook-a-doodle-do
Guest
Doesn't matter if he hadn't trained with the team all week,he has trained with them all year!Do you honestly believe he would have forgotten their plays and structures in one week?
Chook-a-doodle-do
Guest
Yep,his best,possibly only,attacking weapon sitting on the bench.Not the smartest move by any stretch.
JohnnoMcJohnno
Guest
Would've thought lock or second row may be more appropriate. He can still tackle and he's big enough and fast enough for a forward, assuming he has the desire to do the hard work.
Dragons Forever
Guest
Wow, surely ur not serious??
Parrafan
Guest
Hadn't trained all week due to being in Qld Origin camp.
Johnk
Guest
What the hell was Milf doing on the bench?
Parrafan
Guest
Still take an exception to Ricky taking credit for Parra's success this year. Any blind Freddy would have dropped some of the players Ricky did, but none would have done it in the way he did it. It was appalling and completely decimated any sort of morale at the club. Added 3 of the players he cut are still playing for the eels. You can preach all the 5 year/10 year plans you want but if you aren't getting improvement and a level of success at the end of your second year say goodbye to the top job, especially if you are on $800,000 a season.