Canberra have reportedly been fined $150,000 by the ACT government for planning to hold a home NRL match in Wagga next year.
The Canberra Times reports the Raiders planned the match on May 4 to give regional fans a chance to see a game, but the Territory government say the plan breaches a deal to play all matches in the capital.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro was furious about the decision, especially given his state has committed $4 million towards the Raiders’ new $19 million base at Braddon.
“The ACT isn’t an island. The Raiders are the NRL team for thousands of fans in Southern NSW. Many of the Raiders’ greatest players are sons of regional NSW,” Barilaro told the newspaper.
“Stars like Junee’s Laurie Daley or Queanbeyan’s Terry Campese and Ricky Stuart are titans of the game.
“If this is how the ACT government is going to treat the Raiders and their fans, then maybe it’s time to start thinking about bringing the Raiders back to Seiffert Oval and the investment it would take to make that happen.”
After coughing up a 20-0 lead, Parramatta Eels fans can be thankful it’s only the preseason.
The Canberra Raiders have long struggled to live up to their potential, and 2019 shapes as a further slip down the slope for the men from the nation’s capital.
Star Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson is sick of watching the NRL finals from his couch.
“Know your enemy and know yourself and you will always be victorious” – Sun Tzu.
It seems lots of NRL fans are convinced that a few coaches just aren’t made of the right stuff and won’t be leading their troops to a title this season or in the future.
There is a surprise or two in every NRL season, and 2019 will surely be no different.
