The Canberra Raiders have copped a fair bit of criticism over the past few weeks, being labelled as a team that ‘isn’t ready to play finals’ or is ‘just making up the numbers’.
While for many this may seem the case, this isn’t all true. While the Raiders continue to be in close games and struggle to beat many teams, they continue to win. The Raiders enter the last two rounds having to play against the Broncos and Sharks, two teams that are well in contention for this year’s premiership.
The nation’s capital team have the sixth worst for and against in the competition, mainly because their largest winning margin is 12 points, achieved last round against the Bulldogs.
Canberra was without their star man Jack Wighton in their win over Canterbury and still managed to put them away in the end with a late Bulldogs try pulling them back to within the 1-12 margin the Raiders haven’t been able to escape. Wighton has been named in the reserves this week against the Broncos but may be a late into the starting team to boost their chances of winning. He’ll add the much-needed spark they require to fight against the top teams.
They have found a consistent forward pack through Joseph Tapine, their captain Elliot Whitehead, Hudson Young, the experienced Josh Papali’i and arguably the best lock in the competition this season, Corey Horsburgh.
Joseph Tapine. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Horsburgh has been cleared by the Raiders independent doctors and has been named in the starting lineup this week after a head knock late in the contest against the Bulldogs.
Finding a fullback who can fill the role week in week out has been a problem for the Raiders all season especially with the departure of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad this season, but it seems those problems have been fixed.
Jordan Rapana has found a spot at fullback and is beginning to find great form. Rapana had three try assists, a try, ten line breaks and 187 metres in a great day out. Along with young Matt Timoko, who could be considered one of the best centres in the competition this year and continues to show his strengths every week.
Canberra have defeated both of their upcoming opponents earlier in the season and should fancy their chances in their upcoming games. Should they win both of their games they will guarantee a home final and even a top four chance should the Storm lose one of their games.
If Canberra can get a home final and come fifth, they would play one of the teams fighting for the eighth position at GIO Stadium. If this is the case, they will get a maximum capacity crowd for a surely emotional last home game for the club for Jarrod Croker and Jack Wighton.
As seen the Raiders can compete with any team on their day, especially on their home ground. Their recent record against teams such as the Broncos (4 of their last 5), Sharks (9 in a row), Rabbitohs (4 of their last 5), Storm (5 out of the last six when playing in Melbourne) shows how dominant they can be against teams good enough to win the premiership.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
You may as well be optimistic. I'd be shocked if The Raiders go close to the G.F but now and again you get a decent shock in the finals. Rapana competes very well but is on his last legs and didn't want to be considered in the fullback role. It's not a great mindset to be going into the finals with. One or two close wins in the finals is possible but I'm predicting they get badly smacked at some stage. Fifty points type of a smack.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Oh and Jake T
Dutski
Roar Guru
Thanks. I hadn’t realised his work rate is so high. Personally I’d have him below Yeo, Carrigan, Harris, Tino, Hopgood and Cotter/Taumololo (whichever one has the 13 on). But I might have to think about that some more.
Albo
Roar Rookie
My assessment of the Raiders finals chances are .....you can never say never ! They have been unimpressive all year , but also just getting home for plenty of wins this year amongst a few big thrashings. I think they have a pretty good pack of forwards but an average set of backs lacking any great creativity. They could do with having CHN back on the field for some forward creativity and half with more than a solid kicking game. I would be surprised if they can lift a further level to get to week two of the finals, but I can't totally dismiss a team that can have plenty of close wins. Whilst they have handy records against some other finalists , I don't think they have gotten anywhere near the Panthers in recent times ?
Douglas Haynes
Roar Rookie
Thanks. I certainly wouldn't rate him as the best lock in the competition this season, Yeo and Carrigan would definitely be the two fighting for that, but besides them I see Horsburgh as next best along with Tohu Harris and Tino. He is always a passionate player and no-one can argue with that but he is also a great runner of the ball, averaging around 120 metres a game, only behind Yeo, Carrigan, Harris and Tino while also getting up and around 40 post contact metres per game, also only slightly behind only Yeo, Carrigan, Harris and Tino. He averages the 11th most tackles made throughout the whole competition and is 2nd for all locks. He is also great at getting an offload away and continuing play going forward being 3rd in the competition for all locks this season. Being picked for origin along with Carrigan and Tino showed how much of a great season he is having and certainly earned his spot.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Thanks for the article and good on you for getting behind the Raiders. They keep doing just enough and who knows? Maybe they might have an impact on the finals. I’m curious about what you see in Corey Horsburgh to rate him the best lock in the comp this season. Granted he’s played Origin, but I wouldn’t have him in the top half dozen for locks. What makes you rate him so highly?
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't be rating Wighton as a star on his form this year. He has been terrible. In fact, for about 80% of his career, he's been paid either on potential or reward for past deeds, not current output. The Raiders have been exceedingly generous to him. Lucky man! I don't think the Raiders have any chance of going beyond week one of the finals. Assuming they make it, which they don't really deserve. As for Stuart, I think he's run his race as a coach. He does some good things but is very limited tactically. It's probably not healthy, anyway, for a club to have the same coach for 10 years unless the person is a truly exceptional one. Teams need new ideas, and turning over coaches every few years serves that purpose. The Raiders game plan, to me, seems to be "get field position, then hope Jack, or Rapa, or Huddo, or someone can pull a rabbit out of their hat".
Drac
Roar Rookie
No argument here. He left a bad taste in my gob with his vilification of young Salmon. I get that the kid is an arrogant bully, but life has a tendency to sort that out, and Ricky's outburst only made him worse.
Drac
Roar Rookie
Despite quite a bit of acclaim and four different coaching gigs over 20 years plus, Ricky hasn't done much really, the bill for silver polishing wouldn't send a pauper broke. :laughing:
high horse
Roar Rookie
glass half full type of guy, heh?
Stewy76
Roar Rookie
I'd be keen to hear from other league watchers, but I'm not convinced Ricky Stewart is the right man for the job. No doubt he understands the game, and he's clearly a passionate bloke... but his constantly angry, salty, 'I'm a victim' demena makes me think that the Canberra players could have a more composed leader and benefit from it??