Things are getting serious now in The Roar’s NRL preview series, with today’s article taking us to the edge of the top four, with the next two teams revealed.
If there is a coach more under pressure coming into the 2020 season than Paul Green, I am yet to hear about him.
Blessed with an outstanding squad, Green has been unable to make anything of it in the last two years, and while injuries and other circumstances have played their part on the Cowboys, the time for excuses is just about over.
Anything short of a finals appearance in the new season won’t be anywhere near good enough. That’s the end of the story.
Luckily for Green, he has a side who shouldn’t miss the finals. A strong forward pack, a rapidly improving back line and a big year ahead for a half who must prove he still has what it takes to be rated at the top of the NRL should create a perfect storm for the men from Townsville.
As always, playing away from home will be a struggle, but they must turn their new home ground into a fortress and work from there.
Michael Morgan (c), John Asiata, Jake Clifford, Gavin Cooper, Reuben Cotter, Scott Drinkwater, Mitchell Dunn, Kyle Feldt, Thomas Gilbert, Jake Granville, Ben Hampton, Coen Hess, Peter Hola, Valentine Holmes, Corey Jensen, Connelly Lemuelu, Esan Marsters, Josh McGuire, Jordan McLean, Francis Molo, Justin O’Neill, Tom Opacic, Emry Pere, Reece Robson, Dan Russell, Tukimihia Simpkins, Murray Taulagi, Jason Taumalolo, Shane Wright
Development players: Ben Condon, Wiremu Greig, Garrett Smith, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Coach: Paul Green
Captain: Michael Morgan
Ins: Scott Drinkwater (Melbourne Storm, mid 2019), Valentine Holmes (New York Giants), Connelly Lemuelu (Canterbury Bulldogs), Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers), Reece Robson (St George Illawarra Dragons), Tukimihia Simpkins (development)
Outs: Matthew Scott (retired), Carlin Anderson (Townsville Blackhawks), Kurt Baptiste (released), Logan Brow-Bayliss (released), Scott Bolton (retired), Javid Bowen (Northern Pride), Jordan Kahu (Brisbane Broncos), Nene Macdonald (released), Te Maire Martin (retired), Gideon Gela-Mosby (released), Enari Tuala (Newcastle Knights), Kurt Wiltshire (released)
The best 17
1. Valentine Holmes
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Esan Marsters
4. Tom Opacic
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Jake Clifford
7. Michael Morgan
8. Jordan McLean
9. Jake Granville
10. Josh McGuire
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Coen Hess
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. Reece Robson
15. John Asiata
16. Corey Jensen
17. Shane Wright
Team overview
The biggest arrival in Townsville is that of Valentine Holmes. He slots straight into a roll the Cowboys struggled to fill last year, and with a full pre-season under the belt since he returned from the USA, he should be as good as ever.
Kyle Feldt and another arrival in Esan Marsters are both guaranteed of their spots, while Tom Opacic and Murray Taulagi have to fend off competition from Ben Hampton and Justin O’Neill for a spot in the centres.
While Michael Morgan and Jake Granville are secured of their spots, and Reece Robson takes one bench spot, the number six jersey is far less secure, with Scott Drinkwater set to battle Jake Clifford for the gig.
The Cowboys strong-man pack is virtually set in stone, with only John Asiata likely to force his way into the side from the bench at any point, while Shane Wright and Corey Jensen will be battling Mitchell Dunn, Peter Hola, Francis Molo and Emry Pere for the final spots on the bench, indicating a healthy competition for spots.
Strengths
The Cowboys should be able to play with great speed. On the back of a really strong forward pack, which is undoubtedly led by Jason Taumalolo, the other JT.
Jake Granville, at his best, should be able to spark plenty out of dummy half. You have to wind the memory back, but Granville at his best is a sight. He plays fast, runs the ball often and puts opposition defences in the hurt locker.
Now picture him playing at his best on the back of a strong pack, and with an in-form Michael Morgan or Valentine Holmes. They should be able to catch plenty of defences napping this year.
As mentioned, the Cowboys have a healthy fight for spots going on, and that should kick this underperforming team into gear, while Valentine Holmes, if he can recapture form, will prove to be a strength all on his own.
Weaknesses
Their greatest purchase also has to appear in this section though. Holmes returning to form is still in the ‘maybe he will, maybe he won’t’ category at this stage, and if he can’t, then the Cowboys will be in some strife.
So many of their hopes are pinned on Holmes sparking their attack, even though they shouldn’t be, and it feels like the last roll of the dice from Paul Green as he tries to get his coaching career back on track.
Green himself may prove to be a weakness. As much as he has a grand final and premiership under the belt, he has done nothing since, and many would argue that it was the brilliance of Johnathan Thurston that brought him such success. For Green, it’s either time to step up or step aside.
One final one is the Cowboys’ kicking game. While the other two are speculative at best, there is cold hard evidence behind this, with Morgan a ball-runner, Drinkwater in the same boat and Jake Clifford struggling to assert his dominance over that part of the game, despite his immense talent.
Round | Date | Time | Opponent | Venue | TV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fri Mar 13 | 8:05pm | Brisbane Broncos | North Queensland Stadium | Nine/Fox |
2 | Thu Mar 19 | 8:05pm | Canterbury Bulldogs | ANZ Stadium | Nine/Fox |
3 | Sat Mar 28 | 7:35pm | Parramatta Eels | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
4 | Fri Apr 3 | 6pm | Newcastle Knights | McDonald Jones Stadium | Fox |
5 | Fri Apr 10 | 7:55pm | Brisbane Broncos | Suncorp Stadium | Nine/Fox |
6 | Thu Apr 16 | 7:50pm | Melbourne Storm | North Queensland Stadium | Nine/Fox |
7 | Sat Apr 25 | 6pm | Canterbury Bulldogs | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
8 | Sat May 2 | 7:45pm | Sydney Roosters | Suncorp Stadium | Nine/Fox |
9 | Sat May 9 | 7:35pm | Gold Coast Titans | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
10 | Sat May 16 | 5:30pm | Cronulla Sharks | Jubilee Oval | Fox |
11 | Fri May 22 | 7:55pm | South Sydney Rabbitohs | North Queensland Stadium | Nine/Fox |
12 | Fri May 29 | 7:55pm | Parramatta Eels | Bankwest Stadium | Nine/Fox |
13 | Sat Jun 6 | 3pm | Sydney Roosters | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
14 | Fri Jun 12 | 6pm | Gold Coast Titans | CBus Super Stadium | Fox |
15 | Sat Jun 27 | 3pm | New Zealand Warriors | Sky Stadium | Fox |
16 | Bye | ||||
17 | Sun Jul 12 | 6:15pm | Newcastle Knights | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
18 | Sat Jul 18 | 3pm | St George Illawarra Dragons | Jubilee Oval | Fox |
19 | Sat Jul 25 | 7:35pm | Manly Sea Eagles | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
20 | Sat Aug 1 | 7:35pm | Canberra Raiders | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
21 | Thu Aug 6 | 7:50pm | Melbourne Storm | AAMI Park | Nine/Fox |
22 | Thu Aug 13 | 7:50pm | Penrith Panthers | Panthers Stadium | Nine/Fox |
23 | Thu Aug 20 | 7:50pm | Cronulla Sharks | North Queensland Stadium | Nine/Fox |
24 | Sat Aug 29 | 5:30pm | New Zealand Warriors | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
25 | Fri Sep 4 | 6pm | Wests Tigers | Leichhardt Oval | Fox |
Teams to play twice: Brisbane Broncos, Canterbury Bulldogs, Parramatta Eels, Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans, Newcastle Knights, Melbourne Storm, Cronulla Sharks, New Zealand Warriors
Five-day turnarounds: one
Seven-plus-day turnarounds: 15
Best home run: Round 19-24 (five out of six)
Worst away run: Round 8-15 (five out of eight)
Why the NRL are burning both of the derbies between the Broncos and Cowboys in the first five rounds is anyone’s guess, but the start to the season for the Cowboys couldn’t be more cushy.
The Broncos twice, Bulldogs and Knights all appear in their first five rounds, and if they are going to be premiership contenders, they will want to win at least three if not four of those contests.
Things get tougher from there with the Storm and Roosters appearing on their fixture list. They don’t play Manly or Canberra until the final two months of the season though, while the Storm, Sharks, Eels and Roosters all appear on their double-up list.
A tough run of away games through the middle of the season will undoubtedly challenge the Cowboys, but that’ll be offset by two of their first three at home and being able to play both Manly and Canberra at home.
The Raiders, Ricky Stuart’s side, were one of the best stories of the 2019 season.
Widely tipped to miss the top eight at best – and rated much, much worse by some (let’s not point fingers here) – the Raiders surpassed all expectations.
Rugby league fans kept waiting for the drop off, the run of losses, or the moment that would de-rail it all, but it just never came as the Green Machine just kept surprising all who paid attention.
By the time the finals rolled around, they weren’t the underdogs anymore, and a famous Week 1 win in Melbourne lit the fuse for a home preliminary final and charge to the grand final.
They ended up losing the big one, but for Canberra, it was their best season in decades, and with a great crop of core players, there are hardly expectations for the club from the national capital to fall away this season.
Jarrod Croker (c), Josh Hodgson (c), John Bateman, Luke Bateman, JJ Collins, Nick Cotric, Matt Frawley, Emre Guler, Siliva Havili, Corey Horsburgh, Sebastian Kris, Dunamis Lui, Jack Murchie, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Michael Oldfield, Josh Papalii, Curtis Scott, Bailey Simonsson, Harry Smith-Shields, Iosia Soliola, Tom Starling, Ryan Sutton, Joseph Tapine, Semi Valemei, Elliott Whitehead, Jack Wighton, George Williams, Sam Williams, Hudson Young
Development players: Dan Keir, Darby Medlyn, Andre Niko, Kai O’Donnell, Reuben Porter, Tom Robertson, Jarrett Subloo
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Co-captains: Josh Hodgson, Jarrod Croker
Ins: Matt Frawley (Huddersfield Giants), Curtis Scott (Melbourne Storm), Harry Smith-Shields (development), George Williams (Wigan Warriors), Semi Valemei (development)
Outs: Brad Abbey (released), Ata Hingano (Mackay Cutters), Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks), Joey Leilua (Wests Tigers), Jordan Rapana (Japanese rugby union – Panasonic Wild Knights), Aidan Sezer (Huddersfield Giants)
The best 17
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Nick Cotric
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Curtis Scott
5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Jack Wighton
7. George Williams
8. Josh Papalii
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Iosia Soliola
11. John Bateman
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange
14. Siliva Havili
15. Emre Guler
16. Dunamis Lui
17. Corey Horsburgh
Team overview
This Raiders side is a strong one, but the notable change from last year’s grand final side is the departure of Aidan Sezer, replaced by English half George Williams.
Joey Leilua is also gone, but Curtis Scott arrives in the centres. Other than that, they are very similar to last year, with breakout stars Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jack Wighton and John Bateman walk-up starts, while Josh Hodgson will look to retain his place as one of the best hookers in the game.
In fact, the entire 13 just about picks itself, with the only dilemma being on the bench. Dunamis Lui will certainly be there, as will Corey Horsburgh. However, Emre Guler has to fend off competition from Luke Bateman, Jack Murchie, Tom Starling, Ryan Sutton and Hudson Young – Canberra’s depth is outstanding in the forwards.
Elsewhere in back-up, former Bulldogs half Matt Frawley arrives, while Michael Oldfield will be waiting for any incidents in the backs.
Strengths
This is one strong side, but it’s hard to go past their edge forwards. Part of the Green Machine’s Pommy brigade, Whitehead and Bateman were just sensational last year.
Both put together outstanding years, with Bateman in particular coming from nowhere. His injury early on this year will be a big blow, but does create an opportunity for other talented Raiders players.
Then there is the middle third, and while toilers like Soliola and Tapine keep things solid, it’s Josh Papalii – one of the best props in the game – who leads that department.
His production last year was off the charts, going for 28 tackles and 148 metres per game. They are numbers that make you sit up and take notice, but it’s the way in which he gets the numbers, with over a kilometre of post-contact metres across the season at 52 per game.
Outside the forwards, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Josh Hodgson are stars whichever way you spin it, while Nick Cotric adds plenty of try-scoring potential out wide.
This is a serious team, and one of the great assets the club had last year was the way they played for each other, defended like their life depended on it and made the most of their opportunities.
Building off their defence will leave the club in good stead once again in 2020.
Weaknesses
Once you get to this stage of the ladder, it begins to get difficult to know where to look for weaknesses, but if there is one, it could be the halves combination.
As much as it was excellent last year, the calming influence of Sezer had a remarkable impact on Wighton, so it’ll be intriguing to see if Williams can step into the same breach.
Of course, the same could be said of Hodgson, and the amount Canberra rely on him as an on-field leader could become an issue if he is injured.
Round | Date | Time | Opponent | Venue | TV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fri Mar 13 | 6pm | Gold Coast Titans | GIO Stadium | Fox |
2 | Sat Mar 21 | 3pm | New Zealand Warriors | Eden Park | Fox |
3 | Thu Mar 26 | 8:05pm | St George Illawarra Dragons | GIO Stadium | Nine/Fox |
4 | Fri Apr 3 | 8:05pm | Manly Sea Eagles | GIO Stadium | Nine/Fox |
5 | Sun Apr 12 | 4:05pm | Penrith Panthers | Panthers Stadium | Nine/Fox |
6 | Sat Apr 18 | 3pm | Newcastle Knights | McDonalds Park, Wagga | Fox |
7 | Sun Apr 26 | 2:05pm | South Sydney Rabbitohs | GIO Stadium | Fox |
8 | Sat May 2 | 5:30pm | Canterbury Bulldogs | Suncorp Stadium | Fox |
9 | Sat May 9 | 5:30pm | Wests Tigers | Scully Park, Tamworth | Fox |
10 | Sun May 17 | 2:05pm | Penrith Panthers | GIO Stadium | Fox |
11 | Sat May 23 | 7:35pm | Sydney Roosters | HBF Park, Perth | Fox |
12 | Bye | ||||
13 | Sat Jun 6 | 7:35pm | Melbourne Storm | AAMI Park | Fox |
14 | Sun Jun 14 | 2:05pm | New Zealand Warriors | GIO Stadium | Fox |
15 | Sun Jun 28 | 4:05pm | Sydney Roosters | GIO Stadium | Nine/Fox |
16 | Sun Jul 5 | 4:05pm | Cronulla Sharks | Jubilee Stadium | Nine/Fox |
17 | Sat Jul 11 | 5:30pm | Brisbane Broncos | GIO Stadium | Fox |
18 | Sat Jul 18 | 5:30pm | Parramatta Eels | GIO Stadium | Fox |
19 | Sun Jul 26 | 2:05pm | St George Illawarra Dragons | WIN Stadium | Fox |
20 | Sat Aug 1 | 7:35pm | North Queensland Cowboys | North Queensland Stadium | Fox |
21 | Sat Aug 8 | 7:35pm | Manly Sea Eagles | Lottoland | Nine/Fox |
22 | Sun Aug 16 | 4:05pm | Wests Tigers | GIO Stadium | Nine/Fox |
23 | Sat Aug 22 | 5:30pm | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Central Coast Stadium | Fox |
24 | Sun Aug 30 | 2:05pm | Gold Coast Titans | CBus Super Stadium | Fox |
25 | Sat Sep 5 | 7:35pm | Melbourne Storm | GIO Stadium | Nine/Fox |
Teams to play twice: Penrith Panthers, New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra Dragons, North Queensland Cowboys, Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Gold Coast Titans, Melbourne Storm
Five-day turnarounds: one
Seven-plus-day turnarounds: 15
Best home run: Round 1-7 (five of seven)
Worst away run: Round 19-24 (five of six)
As seems to be the case every year, the Raiders start off with a strong run of home games before the nation’s capital turns into a snowy wonderland where fans are more likely to get frostbite on a Saturday night than care about the score.
They play five of their first seven as home games, although one of them are in Wagga Wagga, but have the opposite run at the end of the season, with five of their last seven on the road.
In short, the Raiders will want to be well entrenched in the top eight by the end of July.
The draw has dealt them the Roosters, Rabbitohs and Storm to play twice, which is rough, but no other teams from last year’s top eight, so realistically, their draw is actually a pretty good one.
5. Canberra Raiders
6. North Queensland Cowboys
7. Manly Sea Eagles
8. Cronulla Sharks
9. Penrith Panthers
10. St George Illawarra Dragons
11. Newcastle Knights
12. Brisbane Broncos
13. Canterbury Bulldogs
14. Gold Coast Titans
15. New Zealand Warriors
16. Wests Tigers
Part 1: The bottom two
Part 2: Rounding out the bottom four
Part 3: Not terrible, not good, just average
Part 4: Middle of the road
Part 5: Making up the numbers
Taree Raider
Guest
If you look at the Raiders 30 man squad, there are no weaknesses. The perennial problem the Raiders have had since Ricky was moved on is they have not had a world class halfback. Tell me any Premiership winning team in the past 30 years that hasn't had a brilliant halfback. George Williams appears to have the ability to be the No. 7 the Raiders have needed. They also have Frawley & Sam Williams as backup. Seizer was disappointing as a half, he didn't build pressure with a tactical kicking game. He wasn't what the Raiders needed. Reasonable player but not brilliant. The Roosters will be lost without Cronk, which highlights my point. Looking forward to the season, I'm still getting used to winning more games than you loose. I loved last year, here's hoping we can go one better. When things don't go to plan I'll be the first to criticise Ricky, as a passionate supporter I believe its my right. I'm forever green.
TIGER MIKE
Guest
Thank you Scott and Which are The Top 8 numbers going to be in Powerball this week ??
3 R M
Guest
Yeh the kicking wasn't good last year . Neither was the passing. What do yo think of Cotter jimmmy?
3RM
Guest
Watching the trials TB we played better footy in torrential rain in cairns with Cotter really impressive at dummy half than in Melbourne where we butter fingered the first half enough to loose by a try in that game ,inside our own ten Granny endovers a hit up pass at one of our forwards heads who catches it then cops it from the defence . This in my opinion is one of the main things that's wrong with the attack really ordinary service from dummy half . I am not alone with this opinion and it's something green hasn't fixed for 2 years. I think Cotter is the best hooker at the club he had a really good Q cup last year winning the cutters player of the year but no press and now he's listed to play lock ? He's 97 kegs he'll do it well but it seems a waste . It's definitely a career defining year for Paul green.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Interesting comment Albo. That's why the Leipana combination was so crucial - they loved to create tries for each other - they genuinely enjoyed seeing the other player score - coz they knew they would get something back in return when the opportunity presented itself. But I don't think you are completely correct on this. Croker likes to create a try by involving his winger - whether it was Simonsson or Cotric. And don't forget that BJ was injured for most of last season. I thought Nick Cotric was a bit underwhelming last season - both on the wing and when filling in for BJ at right centre. He is capable of a lot more and needs to start showing it. He was as a gun right centre in the juniors - either barging over for tries himself or flicking out passes to his winger. Both Cotric and Curtis Scott need to perform in the back line this season if the Raiders are to succeed and this includes sharing the ball with their passing games as well as strong hit ups.
Joe
Roar Rookie
If that's the best 17 for the Cowboys I think both Drinkwater and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will during the year find their way into that 17 and remain there.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Probably the worst position in the Raiders team are the wing spots. You never get the ball except the tough yards to hit it up off your own line. The inside men rarely pass the ball. Poor old Cotric gets frost bite most night games in Canberra. Especially on their left side attack , Jack Wighton mostly runs the ball and rarely passes it , and if he does it goes to Croker who also likes to cuddle it. Setting up the winger is only by accident or when Whitehead gets involved. Cotric rarely sees the ball on attack, and must love an opportunity to fill in at fullback.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yeah ! I’m with Baz here. I see the Cows battling for an 8th spot with a few others if everything goes right for them. The spine has a massive question mark all over it still. Forwards have been touted about for years , but JT13 usually carries them one out by season end. The backs look marginally improved if they stay fit. As for the Raiders, I think you are underrating them. They are as strong as last year with a years experience under their belts. They lost only Rapana & Leilua who had ordinary years last season and were ready to be moved on. They have tough and dynamic pack. If Curtis Scott is not too sensitive with off field stuff & George Williams fits in at 7, they could easily be top 4 again, I think.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Every year we do a pick the ladder competition and every year at least one side gets me. This year it may be one of these two because I have them both missing the eight. I don't buy the Cowboys hype and am already getting ready for the theories on how different NFL training is and it will take Val a bit of time. In the Raiders case I am backing the yoyo Raiders to continue. I feel they over achieved in 2019 like they did in 2016. The difference was they got lucky in the semi in 19 and gave them a run to the GF, I am picking a slide from them. Bold prediction Ricky to contribute at least $20,000 in fines. As I said every year I get one team horribly wrong and these are the two that worry me most.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
At last I see someone referring to the poor use of JT13. He needs some variety in his game, on offload or a before the line tip on. His other problem is that he fights so hard in the tackle to make the extra yards that the play the ball is generally slow and good defences can adjust. The fact he plays such a big role in their attack means they need to get him going properly. I feel the Cowboys are still paying for their flukey run to the 2017 GF the same way the Bulldogs did after 2014.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Underperformed dramatically for two years now though. 17 wins over the last two seasons sees them better only the Titans. At some point it’s just their typical performance. Yes they’ve gained Holmes and Masters, but they’re far from a new team just yet. I’m not trying to death ride the Cowboys. Personally I think they’ll improve (hard not to from there) and so their fans have every right to be optimistic. But some of the expectations are a bit over the top.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Raider's best chance is to be angry over last year's debacle. If they can, they'll be in the GF, if not - 5 is about right.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Green & Mary both attended the 'bash and barge' strategic seminar a couple of years ago.. It shows. Get big pack, no centres, tall wingers ...
Randy
Roar Rookie
so many players in that cowboys side that have gone backwards in the last 2 years... would have thought Drinkwater would be in the top 17.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
With the Raiders I think it might be best to stick with the past five years. 2016 was stellar when their attacking combination of Leipana were shredding sides and Blake Austin and Josh Hodgson were running amuck. They were seriously exciting to watch. In 2017 and 2018 they seriously underperformed with the squad they had. We saw countless articles about the number of close games they lost when seemingly in winning positions and supporters were in despair at how it could be corrected. In the offseason between 2018 and 2019 we saw a number of behomeths and defensive liabilities in Junior Paulo, Shannon Boyd and Blake Austin leave the club and the coaching staff and playing group spent hours practising their defensive structures - particularly the last 10 minutes of matches scenarios. It worked - contributing to a Grand Final appearance in 2019. It will be interesting to see how they go this year. They appear to have retained most of the playing group apart from Leipana (I suspect the bungled pass by BJ has cost him his job) and swapping Sezer with George Williams. George is the key. If he has a big year and Wighton continues his stellar form then the Raiders are a big chance to make the four and compete for the title.
kk
Roar Pro
Great stuff Scott. Thought provoking and informative. The travel factor may be an important consideration in assessing the NRL ladder in 2020. Thanks to Chris Kennedy of NRL. com Stat Attack - Frequent Flyers on 4 Nov, 2019 it was revealed that the Warriors will be travelling 6,049 klms less and the Roosters a massive 13,964 klms less. Those teams having to travel further include Cowboys 1,077, SS 1,293, Manly 5,622, Panthers 3,468 and your beloved Dragons 3,568. That drop in travelling may make the difference for Roosters come October.
KenW
Roar Rookie
These two picks both seem shaky to me for different reasons. Not wrong necessarily but just not ones I would stake much on. As others have said, there’s a lot of ‘maybe’ in the Cowboys. Holmes’ reputation appears to have grown three-fold since he last played a game. Key members of the squad haven’t been particularly potent for a few seasons. It’s not hard to squint and see giant-killers but they might just get squashed too. Canberra is more a gut instinct thing. That team looks great, they performed strongly last year – the argument should be ‘why aren’t they higher’? Let’s look at their results from the last 10 years (starting from 2019 and working back): 4-10-10-2-10-15-13-6-15-7 Good years appear out of nowhere, get people interested in a strong Raiders team and then are followed by returning to the wilderness. So I recognise they have a lot going for them – I just don’t trust them, and it’s really their own fault!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
One of your wingers should have scored in the GF except big Joey didn't pass it early. He regards himself as the best centre in the game but he showed one of the reasons why he isn't.
Paul
Roar Guru
I just can't get past what an ordinary coach Green is, Scott. IMO the Cowboys won their premiership in spite of, not because of the plans he asked them to execute. He makes really poor use of JT13 ( similar to Mary using Frizzell as a battering ram at the Dragons) and his team changes last year were seriously baffling sometimes. IF this team had a half way decent coach, like Madge for example, I'd agree they're potentially a top 4 side. Green however, will drag these guys back to the point where they will be fighting to make the finals in the last few games of the regular season.
Harry
Guest
I think that's more a reflection of the fact that the Raiders have try-scoring potential right across the park. Their centres are try-scorers. Their second-rowers are try-scorers. Their number 1 prop is a try-scorer. Their five-eighth is a try-scorer. They were also a much more defensively-minded team last season so their scoring in general was way down on what it has been recently. Don't forget that Cotric also spent several games last season playing at right centre rather than left wing. I'd love him to be faster as I think he's probably one of the slower outside backs in the competition but I'm also struggling to think of any clear-cut opportunities to score that he's failed to convert.