Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels: NRL live scores

As a long suffering Raiders fan, I got used to loosing, but on most occasions it was bearable because the team tried their best & had a red hot go. I could accept that. When a rare victory came our way it was a wonderful thing indeed. Then 2016 came around & we started to win more than we lost, winning is good. The best part about that was that it was fun to watch, the score may have ended up 36-32 but we'd give it a red hot go & regardless of the fact that we were behind by 20 with 20 minutes to play, you held hope & mostly we would come over the top & win. Why was this? Because we played an unpredictable style of attack where offloads were the norm, upredictable play which defences couldn't get set for. That was the best year of being a Raiders fan. But no, Ricky said that we had to be more Storm & Rooster like, we needed to be tougher in defence, basically play the same as every other team. 2017, 2018 that worked NOT. Then 2019 came around & things changed, Bateman was the difference what a year. 2020 was a pass mark, but I didn't feel the excitement. The team had a go so I was happy. 2021. There is no vicious defence, no ad lib attack, there is nothing. Any of the better sides will walk all over us. Josh Papaulii wouldn't hurt me if he tackled me this year & I'm 54 years old with two stuffed knees & about to have my hip replaced. That is there barometer of this team. If Papaulii isn't firing we are stuffed. Horsburgh is desperately needed, just for his aggression & effort. We need to start each game having a red hot go, especially in defence. As a fan, that's all I ask, that our players rip in and have a go. The result's will come, due to there talent within the team. But regardless of the result there has to be continual effort. That's not happening at the moment. Why?

It's one thing to intimate at a press conference that people aren't aiming up. It's another to admit that your selections, game plan, leadership & motivation are the root cause of the problem. Ricky if you are truly a man of honour for once face up to facts. Papaulii, Hudson-Young, Havilli, Croker, Scott, Hodgson & Soliola aren't aiming up. Here's a few solutions to your dilemma:- Lui, James, Kris, Timoko, Valemei, Horsburgh, Harawira-Naera. The Raiders squad of 30 is the best in the NRL. Depth in every position. Is it the players or is it something else, Ricky?

I like your optimism – agree whole heartedly that Ricky plays favourites and they aren’t repaying his faith – Kris simply has to occupy one of the centre positions and I think Curtis Scott offers more than Croker for the other centre position. Croker has to go to the reserves to rediscover some form. If he can’t they may have to cut him loose. Every Raiders supporter wants Jarod to play well but we are realists. He hasn’t been producing and you can’t afford to carry someone in this cutthroat competition. Its the halves combination with Hodgson which is also concerning, It just isn’t working. There is no way Jack Wighton deserves to be in the origin team based on form, Where would you put him? He was awful in the centres last year and there a 2 or 3 5/8s ahead of him this year. The full back also needs to be involved in attacking moves and we haven’t seen much evidence of that this season. On a positive note Aekins filled in wonderfully for CNK.

Geode while I agree with you there could be a lynch mob looking to Fox you this morning for saying that.

I agree with this sentiment but I don’t think Ricky can turn it around fast enough. I think Ricky has done an amazing job for the club but his biggest weakness is a reluctance to change. Ever. He’s loyal to a fault and that has been on full display this season. And the issues are not new ones either. They’ve been there for most of his tenure. I think he’s built a hell of a squad but I’m not sure he can or will get the most out of it unfortunately. I would love to see Ricky in a Gus Gould type role but I don’t think he would take it. He can bid a team and sell what the club is about better than anyone. I just don’t think he’s an elite coach anymore unfortunately.

It seems like Arther has them on a strict high percentage only game plan until a certain lead is reached. They played quite conservative, focusing on breaking them down through the middle and completing sets. Only 4 offloads for the whole match. That olds school thinking of having to earn your way to playing razzle dazzle footy. Even after they got to 13 points the rest of it came from playing conventional plays, just passing well at the line.

It was a lot like the 2017 or 18 Raiders. Minimal effort in defence. No effort to pressure the Eels. Moses looked good, but honestly the Bulldogs attack would have looked good against what the Raiders dished up tonight.

Better days ahead for the men in green. It's disappointing to have 2 back to back losses but better now than August to be playing below your best.

Wise words. I really admire Croker but it's getting to the stage where he is a becoming a liability for the team. One of Sticky's weaknesses is his misguided faith in his players. Sometimes it can pay off but often it can be a smokescreen for glaring deficiencies and I hope this hasn't held the team back from performing to their potential. Hang in there...the Raiders will turn it around but I think they need to get a top 4 spot to be a serious challenge in September.

we have been pumped by 30 points and over in 3 games this season. not a good standard for a top team in the comp. our defence has been awful.

I thought Ricky would have learnt from last week against penrith that he needs to carry a back on the bench. Seb kris is wasted has 18th man for head trauma. I'm hoping my raiders turn it around but like Geoff said Ricky needs to make the tough decisions and make the changes. the halves need to run the game. I can see wighton and William's ae too quiet maybe cause of hodgo hogging the plays. they need to I'll him aside and say right listen to us now. it changes when starling gets on cos he doesnt over play his hand. the big teams the halves run the show and the hookers snipe when the forwards rumble on. tonight the forwards were struggling so the halves should have taken over has they can see what's happening. I feel everyone is waiting for a big play and looks like they relying on Josh Hodgson to come up with something a.d then they react. raiders need to turn it around. I feel Ricky is a very experienced coach and he will turn it around. we need some energy and need young guns to come in.harley Smith shields, semi valemei, seb kris these boys in the back will probably have more energy.come on raiders less go.

Croker has done very little for a couple of seasons - apart from kick a few conversions - he was horrendous tonight - and apparently he's signed until 2024! I think Ricky's is going to have to ease his way out of the team like he did with Terry Campese when he couldn't run after two ACLs. NRL can be a cruel game. Tough decisions have to be made to achieve success.

Croker must surely be pushing the limits of Sticky's patience. How many credits does he have left?

You could see he'd made selection mistakes on Tuesday - blind Freddie could see it - he kept CHN and Kris as 18th and 19th men but didn't have the stones to include them in the 17 - you reap what you sow

Early days. But I agree that Sticky has been making a few doubtful selections of late.

Not sure I could face watching Ricky's presser just yet - not sure I could stomach it. He can't keep picking Croker when he offers nothing - co-captain or not - 47 miserable metres is not worthy of the reserves next week

Couldn't agree more Tony - Scott and Croker must be the two weakest centres in the comp - surely Kris deserved to keep his spot but Ricky couldn't see it. Ricky also needs to work out what he is doing with Hodgson and Starling - what was the point of waiting till the 65th minute to bring Starling on - the game was gone - and CHN had to play instead of Havilli but again Ricky is too pig headed to see it.

Very disappointing Geoff. Croker, Scott and hodgo need to have time off. The game is too fast now and young blood is what we need. Even rapana I think is struggling but tries hard. Starling and Kris in. Outside backs aren't performing including simonsen.

Listen to his presser Geoff, 'there are a number of individuals who are letting the team down,,' Woooaaaa. Who are they ..? He did admit erring in leaving Kris off the bench.

The Parra supporters had plenty to cheer about - unlike the Raiders supporters