After a terrible start to season 2018, the Raiders were starting to build some momentum with two wins in a row against the Bulldogs and the Eels.
The team was starting to play with belief and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
I decided to tip them against the Rabbits. After all, halfback Aiden Sezer was beginning to look creative and dominant in attack. His short kicks in the previous Eels game were sublime, as if from the golden boot of Johnathan Thurston or Cooper Cronk.
The forwards were impressing with power and strength and there were even a few surprise standouts like Iosia Soliola who started his career as a centre and is now apparently a prop. The 31-year-old is a good example of the attitude change of the Raiders’ forwards – hitting the line with power and tackling with maximum energy and ferocity.
Not to mention the exciting combination of Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua – they even have their own nickname Leipana, a sign they must be doing something right.
So yes, I tipped the Raiders with a touch of confidence. A voice inside convinced me that they were on a roll and the early losses were simply a result of the ginormous Raiders pack getting used to the pace of the game, working to find their fitness. They tell me this happens every year.
Unfortunately, I was wrong, and it was a painful loss for Ricky Stuart and me – I was the only one of my tipping competition who believed the Raiders had a chance. The final score 42-22 in favour of the South Sydney Rabbits, with seven tries scored against a defence I thought was ferocious and determined.
It was actually 18-0 before the 20th-minute mark of the match.
So will I ever tip the Raiders again? What can they do to restore my faith? If there is a criticism of Ricky Stuart coached sides, you could argue that they run hot and cold throughout a season. It’s as if he’s a great motivator for a short span of time, but players seem to stop listening to the same script after a while.
Having said that, he’s not the one who is dropping the ball and missing the tackles.
The Raiders’ next three opponents are the North Queensland Cowboys, Gold Coast Titans and the Cronulla Sharks. None of these sides have set the world alight in 2018, but I’ll be tipping them unless key injuries or suspensions cruel their starting sides.
I just can’t ride the Green Machine at the moment. How about you?
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
I hope not for Canberra's sake :)
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
GOLD
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
Peter, this will be his last gig.
paul j
Guest
No not a raiders fan just have a feeling
Peter Phelps
Guest
You talking about an Icelandic venereal disease there ?
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
The best thing about the Raiders at the moment is the Viking Clap.
Peter Phelps
Guest
Just don't put your house on it.
Peter Phelps
Guest
He needs good assistant coaches to tell him what to do (in other words do the job for him).
Peter Phelps
Guest
OK, I will give you that. I was responding to the headline. Jurnos have a lot to answer for. I still think that Stuart is a liability. If my club ever hired him, I don't know what I would do.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Sounds like you're a Raiders' fan - I hope so for your sake and for Ricky's.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
It's a shame as Ricky is so entertaining from the sidelines. Maybe he can get a job as a touch judge :)
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Thanks for your comments Paul - they stink at the moment, but there is time to turn it around. Maybe they can blitz the back end of the year, when players are playing for contracts.
paul j
Guest
They will win the next three -
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Let's be fair Peter - Ricky was just responding to questions about the hit on Sezer and he replied that Sam was lucky that Sezer bounced straight up whereas T Burgess stayed on the ground which made the hit on him look worse. If you listen to the full interview Ricky acknowledged that Souths was far the better team.
JD
Guest
I think he needs better assistant coaches to carry the load, like Cartwright and Jason Taylor
Peter Phelps
Guest
"Stuart accuses Tom Burgess of diving" Similar to Shane Flanagan after the Sharks loss in the Finals last year, you really know your team is in trouble when your coach starts the blame game.
Peter Phelps
Guest
What is even crazier is that this coach seems to destroy teams then simply move on to another job - how does that happen ? In a sport where your every success and failure is measured in minute detail, why does anyone ever offer him another contract ? There are lots of better NRL coaches around than Ricky. If you want to do the Raiders some good, suggest the hierarchy start talking to Hasler pronto.
JD
Guest
Crazy to think Stuart is a Premiership winning coach when guys like Brian Smith never got one after being a long term career coach!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
No worries Baz. If Raiders supporters are anything they are resilient as well as gluttons for punishment! Just hope we aren't having this same conversation in 5 years time but we probably will be. Too many people in their comfort zones at the Raiders. I recall Jack Wighton saying a couple of years ago after some errors and another loss .. "well I still got paid" ... sums it up really.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Don’t worry too much Geoff. Given the Raiders history of decisive management I’m sure they’ll reach a decision about the coaching staff in about five years or so... Too soon...? Sorry mate, couldn’t resist.