NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 3
6 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Another year, another mid table finish for the Canberra Raiders but plenty of improvement for the Green Machine next season. This sentence could describe the Raiders' year for the past 3 seasons and is beginning to sound like a broken record for the Canberra faithful.
Despite finishing the season in 10th position there were times in 2015 when Canberra looked like being the surprise packets this season. Ricky Stuart's men started their campaign with a solid away win against the Sharks in Round 1, before losing their next 3 games in a row. The side then gelled through Rounds 5-9 highlighted by a powerhouse performance against the defending premiers South Sydney in Cairns in Round 8.
Relatively unaffected through the Origin period, the Raiders through the sublime form of boom recruit and City Origin five-eighth Blake Austin, were sitting in the box seat with a favourable draw and were primed for their first finals appearance since 2012.
With 8 games remaining and sitting on the edge of the 8 after the conclusion of Round 18, Canberra had a dream run home to the finals on paper, only facing 2 sides that were in the Top 8 and facing each of the bottom 4 sides in order to secure their finals ticket.
However instead of pushing for a Top 8 spot, Canberra sank down the ladder with the catalyst being a heartbreaking Round 19 home loss to the Sharks in Golden Point. From there the Raiders only managed to win 1 from their next 6 games and were briefly wooden spoon contenders before managing to win their last 2 games of the season against Penrith and Parramatta.
Canberra's new recruits in 2015 Blake Austin, Iosia Soliola and Josh Hodgson were among their best and the Raiders recruitment drive in 2016 looks to be on the money, with former Gold Coast half Aidan Sezer joining the club along with English international backrower Elliot Whitehead.
Turning Point
Round 22 at GIO Stadium saw the Raiders face the West Tigers which was a game where Canberra really needed to start their run towards the finals, as their last 5 opponents were all bottom 8 sides. It was yet another close game that the Raiders couldn't manage to win and another poor loss at home which was further compounded with departing prop David Shillington being sent from the field in the dying stages for an attempted head butt. The Raiders confidence was officially shot and this was one of the 7 games in 2015 where they lost a match by a try or less.
The Good
The Raiders recruitment in 2015 was sharp and well calculated. Blake Austin brought enthusiasm and confidence, while former Roosters teammates Frank-Paul Nu'uausala and Iosia Soliola finally provided the Raiders with the aggression and the intimidation they had been lacking. Josh Hodgson was a key signing and provided the Raiders with some much needed spark from dummy half which they have severely lacked over the past decade.
The emergence of Paul Vaughan and Shannon Boyd as a potential fearsome front row combination started to emerge in 2015 and both these two players could really take the Raiders up a notch next season and beyond.
The Bad
Canberra Stadium used to be a cold, impenetrable fortress where the Raiders almost automatically had the 2 points in hand, however in 2015 the Raiders won 3 games and lost 9, producing their worst home record in their history. This will need to be addressed in the off season if they are to make the Top 8 in 2016.
The ability to win close matches was a huge issue for Canberra, as mentioned they lost an incredible 7 matches by a try or less in 2015. New recruit Aidan Sezer should go a long way to assisting in this area as he plays with a cool head and has proven to be a match winner in his time at the Gold Coast.
The Raiders defence leaked 97 tries in 2015, the fifth most in the competition, with the edge defence being of particular concern for coach Ricky Stuart who will need to rectify this in the off season if they are to challenge the top sides.
Best Players
Blake Austin came to the club as a part time five-eighth, part-time fullback but when handed the famed #6 jersey he made it his own. Austin transformed into one of the most dangerous ball runners in the game and was touted as a NSW Blues bolter during the season.
Josh Hodgson's Raiders career got off to a rocky start when footage of him busting a hotel door after an England test match emerged on social media. That was quickly forgotten with Hodgson quickly adapting to the pace of the NRL and becoming a key figure in the side with his vision and astute kicking from dummy half.
Disappointing Players
Josh Papalii on his day is one of the most destructive forwards in the NRL and that form has seen him become a regular in the Queensland and Australian sides over the past 2 seasons. Consistency was an issue in 2015 which saw no room for Papalii in the Queensland side for their opening 2 games. Papalii has now passed 100 games for the club and is now a senior member of the side. Should he lead from the front and fire in 2016 then the Raiders could potentially have one of the most feared packs in the competition.
Joseph Leilua was a mid-year signing from Newcastle and didn't really find his form in the lime green. While the mid-season relocation to the nation's capital may have proved a distraction, back to back suspensions due to shoulder charges showed terrible discipline late in the season. Ricky Stuart has put enormous faith in the blockbusting centre after signing him to a new 3 year deal with the club. Leilua is on his day is one of the hardest centres to contain in the NRL and a settled off season could see him rediscover his best form.
Rookies
Despite having quite a young squad the Raiders were able to blood some young talent in Luke Bateman and Mitch Barnett. Both players have a lot of potential moving forward and will provide excellent cover for the backrow. Canberra's NYC Player of the Year, Tevita Pangai Jr has yet to get a taste of the top grade but after playing a few games in the NSW Cup, the young prop looks destined to get his chance in 2016.
2016 Chances
2016 is now time for the Raiders to deliver. This will be Ricky Stuart's third season in charge and he has now built a strong enough roster that anything but a Top 8 finish would be seen as a failure. Expect Canberra to be active in the player market during the off season as they still have some money under the salary cap for a quality front rower to join the 2016 squad.
This current squad showed signs of matching it with the competition heavyweights in patches during the 2015 season and will be better for the run in 2016. After finishing only behind the Cowboys and the Roosters in attack in 2015, if they can strengthen their defence and improve their home record then they will be the big improvers in 2016. Predicted Finish 5th-8th.
Best lineup for 2016
1. Jack Wighton
2. Edrick Lee
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joseph Leilua
5. Sisa Waqa
6. Blake Austin
7. Aidan Sezer
8. Paul Vaughan
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Frank-Paul Nu'uausala
11. Josh Papalii
12. Iosia Soliola
13. Shaun Fensom
14. Kurt Baptiste
15. Shannon Boyd
16. Elliot Whitehead
17. Jarrad Kennedy
Ins: Aidan Sezer (Titans), Elliot Whitehead (ESL - Catalans), Adam Clydsdale (Knights)
Outs: David Shillington (Titans), Andrew Heffernan (Panthers), Mark Nicholls (Storm), Joel Edwards (Wests Tigers), Mitch Cornish (Eels), Josh McCrone (Dragons)