DIEHARD
Administrator
RAIDERS vs TITANS
Round 9: RAIDERS vs TITANS
- Thread starter DIEHARD
- Start date
DIEHARD
Administrator
Raiders upset the Bunnies!
<script height="349px" width="620px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=fd5fc71d2bcc4b60a622cf8d3348d605&ec=VxZmxxdDrzNpyfrIftNZArxuM0mo8E7e"></script>
<script height="349px" width="620px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=fd5fc71d2bcc4b60a622cf8d3348d605&ec=VxZmxxdDrzNpyfrIftNZArxuM0mo8E7e"></script>
DIEHARD
Administrator
Raiders rebuild ahead of schedule as Canberra emerges as a finals contender
The Raiders continue to make a mockery of the many critics who made them wooden spoon favourites before season kick-off, and are playing even better than their 4-4 record suggests. Canberra squandered an 18-0 lead at home to St George Illawarra, and never really recovered mentally before a heavy loss to the Roosters the next week. Heavyweights Melbourne Storm also were forced to work extremely hard to grind out a 14-10 win, and the Raiders more than held their own against the defending premiers on Sunday. Canberra will head into the representative break extremely pleased with their progress in their second season under Ricky Stuart's mentorship.
SECOND-HALF WOES WELL AND TRULY BURIED
It was just two weeks ago the Raiders couldn't score a point after half-time if they were given 12 tackles a set. They were outscored 18-80 after half-time across the first six rounds, but have won that ledger 44-6 the past two weeks in comeback wins over the Tigers and Rabbitohs. The Rabbits are now in a massive hole, having lost four of their last five games. Incredibly Canberra boasts a 4-1 road record thus far this year, but are winless in three attempts at home. They have a chance to rectify that against the rejuvenated Gold Coast Titans after the representative break.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs continued their slump with a narrow loss to the Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Getty Images
Going nowhereL Josh Papalii is tackled. Josh Hodgson pins his ears back. Jason Clark pumps the legs. George Burgess is double-teamed. Jordan Rapana tries to find a way through. Glenn Stewart tries to spark an attack. Josh Hodgson changes direction. Jarrod Hennedy eyes up the defence. Tim Grant is sent to the ground. Dylan Walker receives treatment for a leg injury.
NEW SUPER SUBS CRITICAL
Canberra's bench has been vital in their revival the past fortnight. For the second-straight week big young prop Shannon Boyd had a huge impact, scoring a second individual try in as many weeks to get Canberra right back in the contest at 22-20. He has missed a few weeks this season with a shoulder injury, and that perhaps cost him joining his skipper Jarrod Croker in winning a maiden Country jumper. Although he was named as 18th man late on Sunday night. Bench hooker Kurt Baptiste was again sensational coming on for Josh Hodgson, running for 126 metres off three dummy half darts. His energy and pace have given the Raiders a new dimension. He's cemented his place in the team after only being recalled to first grade last week.
FRESH START FOR THE FRESH PRINCE
Canberra winger Edrick Lee revealed he shaved off the game's most famous flattop because "he wanted to be known more for his football than his hair". He took a giant step toward doing just that by scoring the first two tries of his season. The first four-pointer was a professional finish out wide after Jack Wighton opened up space for him on the inside. Late in the game his previous history as a basketballer helped him when he plucked a Sam Williams kick above his hand to plant the match sealer.
JOSH PAPALII A LUCKY BOY
By his own admission Josh Papalii "hasn't started the season too good" and struggled to make his usual impact after being shifted from back row to prop early this season. His move back to the edge the past fortnight has helped him regain some of his mojo, but most observers felt he was lucky to be named 19th man in Australia's Test team to play New Zealand on Friday. Papalii played a big part in last year's Four Nations campaign after injuries hit a number of leading props.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/
The Raiders continue to make a mockery of the many critics who made them wooden spoon favourites before season kick-off, and are playing even better than their 4-4 record suggests. Canberra squandered an 18-0 lead at home to St George Illawarra, and never really recovered mentally before a heavy loss to the Roosters the next week. Heavyweights Melbourne Storm also were forced to work extremely hard to grind out a 14-10 win, and the Raiders more than held their own against the defending premiers on Sunday. Canberra will head into the representative break extremely pleased with their progress in their second season under Ricky Stuart's mentorship.
SECOND-HALF WOES WELL AND TRULY BURIED
It was just two weeks ago the Raiders couldn't score a point after half-time if they were given 12 tackles a set. They were outscored 18-80 after half-time across the first six rounds, but have won that ledger 44-6 the past two weeks in comeback wins over the Tigers and Rabbitohs. The Rabbits are now in a massive hole, having lost four of their last five games. Incredibly Canberra boasts a 4-1 road record thus far this year, but are winless in three attempts at home. They have a chance to rectify that against the rejuvenated Gold Coast Titans after the representative break.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs continued their slump with a narrow loss to the Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Getty Images
Going nowhereL Josh Papalii is tackled. Josh Hodgson pins his ears back. Jason Clark pumps the legs. George Burgess is double-teamed. Jordan Rapana tries to find a way through. Glenn Stewart tries to spark an attack. Josh Hodgson changes direction. Jarrod Hennedy eyes up the defence. Tim Grant is sent to the ground. Dylan Walker receives treatment for a leg injury.
NEW SUPER SUBS CRITICAL
Canberra's bench has been vital in their revival the past fortnight. For the second-straight week big young prop Shannon Boyd had a huge impact, scoring a second individual try in as many weeks to get Canberra right back in the contest at 22-20. He has missed a few weeks this season with a shoulder injury, and that perhaps cost him joining his skipper Jarrod Croker in winning a maiden Country jumper. Although he was named as 18th man late on Sunday night. Bench hooker Kurt Baptiste was again sensational coming on for Josh Hodgson, running for 126 metres off three dummy half darts. His energy and pace have given the Raiders a new dimension. He's cemented his place in the team after only being recalled to first grade last week.
FRESH START FOR THE FRESH PRINCE
Canberra winger Edrick Lee revealed he shaved off the game's most famous flattop because "he wanted to be known more for his football than his hair". He took a giant step toward doing just that by scoring the first two tries of his season. The first four-pointer was a professional finish out wide after Jack Wighton opened up space for him on the inside. Late in the game his previous history as a basketballer helped him when he plucked a Sam Williams kick above his hand to plant the match sealer.
JOSH PAPALII A LUCKY BOY
By his own admission Josh Papalii "hasn't started the season too good" and struggled to make his usual impact after being shifted from back row to prop early this season. His move back to the edge the past fortnight has helped him regain some of his mojo, but most observers felt he was lucky to be named 19th man in Australia's Test team to play New Zealand on Friday. Papalii played a big part in last year's Four Nations campaign after injuries hit a number of leading props.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/
teke
Coach
Pound the Raiders edges with Speed
DavidBouveng
Coach
this will be a good game against the other vastly improved side in the comp.
should be really good to watch.
should be really good to watch.
TITAN PETE
Super Moderator
Who would have thought 6 weeks ago that this may be the match of the round , 2 teams in great attacking form
DIEHARD
Administrator
I would have bet anything against it. Probably the most anticipated Raiders v Titans game ever.
JunctionBlock
Moderator
Good to see no Titans have a date with the judiciary this week. Bird being put on report was an absolute joke in the first place.
5 Year Contract
Rep Player
Feels great to be going into another week with optimism! Close to our full strength team (still want Crampton over Zillman but hard to change our winning team). Will be a tough one given Canberra's resurgence (haha actually given both teams last few weeks its the battle of the 2nd half points) but we have more than enough to come away with a win here.
JunctionBlock
Moderator
At least he's being realistic. Mortimer gets asked what now.
http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/mortimer-vows-fight-titans-place/
http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/mortimer-vows-fight-titans-place/
K2G
First Grader
MORTIMER VOWS TO FIGHT FOR TITANS PLACE
Written by GREG PRICHARD, April 30, 2015
DANIEL Mortimer is getting close to a comeback from a fractured wrist, but even with his versatility he faces a difficult task to break back into the team with Aidan Sezer and Kane Elgey firing as the halves combination and two hookers already in the 17-man squad.
Mortimer played halfback, with Sezer at five-eighth, for the first three rounds, but has missed the last five. Halfback Elgey, who was re-signed by the Titans on Tuesday, and five-eighth Sezer have been the combination for the team’s last five games – four of which they have won.
Beau Falloon is the starting hooker and Kierran Moseley is backing him up on the bench. Falloon left the field early with a shoulder injury in last Saturday’s 32-28 win over the Warriors, but is expected to be fit for the next game against Canberra at GIO Stadium on Saturday week.
The versatile Mortimer tells RLW he is hoping to be available to play against the Raiders.
“I couldn’t do much in training for the first few weeks because I had to keep my wrist still, in a brace,” Mortimer says.
“But last week I was doing pretty much everything with it fairly heavily strapped. Hopefully, I’ll be back after this week’s bye.”
Asked where he thought he might be able to fit into the squad, Mortimer replies: “I’m not too sure. They’re obviously doing a good job at the moment, so, mate, wherever. I’m hoping my versatility will help.”
Elgey starred against the Warriors and with the club now having beaten off strong interest from Manly to re-sign him it obviously isn’t going to move him back out of the side.
The aim will be to get him ready for a partnership with the club’s huge signing for next year – Daly Cherry-Evans – particularly since Sezer is leaving to join Canberra at the end of the season.
Mortimer appears likely to have to come back with one of Gold Coast’s feeder clubs in the Intrust Super Cup and try to fight his way back into first grade from there.
teke
Coach
Few on here also can't wait to see him in Green.
I believe he shoulda been on the right side all along.
Brock O'Brien
Junior
Seeing as we will have a much better halves pairing without him, it really doesn't bother us
Welcome Raiders fan, glad you joined us.:thumbsup:
- - - Updated - - -
I think Aiden is a good get for you Raiders. He's better this year under Henry but I can assure you Titans fans haven't been thrilled the last few years. That said, I hope he goes well with Ricky who's good with the halves.
- - - Updated - - -
I think Aiden is a good get for you Raiders. He's better this year under Henry but I can assure you Titans fans haven't been thrilled the last few years. That said, I hope he goes well with Ricky who's good with the halves.
Austin and sezer in the halves is a very, very good halves combo.
And with a forward pack in 2016 of:
8. Vaughan
9. Hodgson
10. Tamou
11. Papa
12. Whitehead/ Soliola
13. Fensom
14. Baptiste
15. Soliola/ Whitehead
16. FPN
17. Boyd
And a backline of:
1. Wighton
2. Lee
3. Croker
4. Waqa
5. Rapana
(Pending a big name outside back signing)
We will be premiership contenders as early as 2016!
That is surely one of the best forward packs in the Comp. Also a very handy backline. For those wondering " who is whitehead?" He is in the top two 2nd rowers in the whole English super league.
And with a forward pack in 2016 of:
8. Vaughan
9. Hodgson
10. Tamou
11. Papa
12. Whitehead/ Soliola
13. Fensom
14. Baptiste
15. Soliola/ Whitehead
16. FPN
17. Boyd
And a backline of:
1. Wighton
2. Lee
3. Croker
4. Waqa
5. Rapana
(Pending a big name outside back signing)
We will be premiership contenders as early as 2016!
That is surely one of the best forward packs in the Comp. Also a very handy backline. For those wondering " who is whitehead?" He is in the top two 2nd rowers in the whole English super league.
Tamwelg
Tech Administrator
No sour grapes around here mate. Most would be wishing him well with you guys next year and beyond. To say he has been one of our best over the past few years is off the mark though. He has come good this year and is playing some good footy right now and he and Elgey will be a great halves pair for the rest of this year, but his past few years were average and we will have a halves pairing of DCE and LG next year.
Tamwelg
Tech Administrator
I'm glad you are happy with the way your side is looking for next year, but here in this thread is not the right place to discuss this. Please feel free to discuss next weekends game in this game thread at anytime.
JunctionBlock
Moderator
Dannyboy's forgetting who his coach is.