Canberra coach Ricky Stuart denied his players’ heads had been turned by their looming NRL grand final rematch with the Sydney Roosters rather than focusing on lowly Canterbury.
The Raiders almost stumbled against the last-placed Bulldogs on Sunday night, trailing 20-12 at halftime before a Jack Wighton-inspired second half surge secured a 14-point victory.
Stuart said he relaxed once five-eighth Wighton scored twice within six minutes just after the break to set up the win
“Jack Wighton got the game by the throat and took it on himself to get the us on the front foot,” Stuart said.
“When he did I felt really confident sitting back on the sideline cause I could just see in Jack’s demeanour that he wasn’t going to let this one slip.”
Stuart gave credit to the Bulldogs for their early lead and said it wasn’t because his team were already looking ahead to the Roosters.
“If I had a player who was complacent I’d smell that, and I’d see it through the week,” Stuart said.
“We haven’t even spoken about the Roosters game and it’s just another game of football that we have to try to turn up and win but we haven’t focused on that and I get embarrassed by getting asked that question.
“There was no complacency against the Bulldogs – they played good football.”
The Raiders host the Roosters at GIO Stadium, looking for their second win of the season after a four-point win at the SCG in round 10.
Centre Curtis Scott will go for scans after suffering a knock to the leg he broke in 2016.
“He’s got a plate down that left leg and he gets a lot of pain when it’s been whacked like that,” Stuart said.
“Hopefully it’s only pain – there’s not real one spot that’s causing much disturbance which is a good sign.”
Forward Sia Soliola will see a surgeon on Monday as he looks to return from a serious facial fracture by Stuart wasn’t confident.
“We’ve got to protect Sia from Sia,” the coach said.
“He’s too tough for his own good so I won’t let him play until we are totally comfortable he can get a bang in the face again.”
Randy
Roar Rookie
75% as a player though :silly:
Randy
Roar Rookie
I don't want to celebrate a player getting injured but I hope we don't see Curtis Scott back this year. He has been so far off the pace it's not funny. It's actually been a little embarrassing watching him get so dominated in every tackle.
Col in Paradise
Roar Rookie
Pathetic comment Cyril....had a cat in the 70s in Canberra called Cyril...sad correlation
Cyril Snodgrass III
Guest
While Ricky Stuart says he isnt thinking about the next Roosters game,he's probably thinking about his poor win ratios: For NRL games................50% For Grand Finals...............25%...............ouch!
Big Daddy
Guest
Possibly, he might get it right this time.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Agreed. ‘Twill be a different dynamic from the Storm v chook game, but equally compelling methinks. I seriously would be thinking twice about Friend or Cordner playing, if either gets another hard knock this close to the finals.. PLUS, I wouldn’t be running Scott out after that not-so-subtle advertisement on his leg weakness….Sonny is due isn’t he? He’ll get tested.. A lot of confidence and reliance on his performance.
Tony
Roar Guru
We might even see a good old "softening up period".
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! There will be a lot of " its just another game" talk from the coaches throughout the week. But that'll be a big fib. As it's a massive game that will decide a spot in the top 4 ( maybe even 3rd & 4th eventually?). I am tipping this to be the game of the season and it will be no place for the faint hearted on Saturday night. Ricky will be stoking some fires through the week and I think the "shotguns" will be working overtime looking after their spines. Young Flanagan in particular, will face the biggest test of his short career.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:shocked: :laughing: :laughing: :silly: Every emotion ran through then..
Nat
Roar Rookie
Uncle Nic...
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:shocked: You stirrer you... That would be a bad move, hope whoever sets the ref has done his homework.
Tony
Roar Guru
I wonder if Cummins will be referee?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
They will be now. If Ricky isn't replaying last year's GF every night he's missing a trick. This is the most crucial game as it will determine (I think) 4th and 5th. AND Raiders need to be all fired up to win and I think they will. Given the emotion, necessity and at home. It could also identify chooks as slightly vulnerable with 3 other top 8 games on the run home.
Tony
Roar Guru
They probably should be.