Raiders name
19 man squad for Sharks clash

Like fish in a barrel

May 9, 2006

The Canberra Raiders took to the shooting range today to hone on their hand-eye coordination, ahead of this week?s blockbuster match against the Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium.

After a fantastic 30-10 win over Parramatta last weekend the players took some time out to relax and try something different, when they attempted Clay pigeon target shooting at the Majura park gun club just outside of Canberra.

Most notable of marksmen among the players on the day were Marshall Chalk and Craig Frawley, who hit nine out of ten targets during their first round, while Assistant coach David Furner stole the show by nailing all ten targets.

However not all of the players involved were sharp shooters, with Trevor Thurling failing to make an impact during his first round of shooting.

Raiders Prop Andrew Lomu said the day was an enjoyable experience, and was good rewards for the players after last weeks solid win against the Eels.

?I think its more hand eye co-ordination, it?s more for the backs and particularly the half backs, the forwards are not that good,? Lomu said. ?Its good fun and especially coming off a win it?s a good environment, if we came off a loss than maybe it wouldn?t have been as much fun, and maybe we would be aiming the guns at each other,? He said jokingly.

After starting to return to the form that saw him receive a New Zealand jumper a couple of seasons ago, Lomu said it is good to be in form personally but as a team unit also, especially with so many players available for selection.

?I feel like I?m starting to get back to my best form, I?m starting to believe in myself, and the boys have helped by playing good footy which helps,? he said. ?I think with the injured players coming back it?s good to see everyone fighting hard to keep their spot, obviously with a lot of guys like Michael Weyman and Alan Rothery coming back.?

Raider?s assistant coach David Furner said the return of Phil Graham and Alan Rothery to the squad for Sunday is a huge bonus for the club, but it would not necessarily see either player jump back into the top grade.

?It?s a good position to be in at the moment, I know Matt along with Wayne and myself are happy to have so many good players available for selection,? he said. ?I think the guys that are in their at the moment are doing a fantastic job so I think from Phil?s point of view he wouldn?t be expecting to go straight back in their, recent form indicates that the effort has been good.

Furner said the day out at the Majura gun club was designed to keep the players relaxed and fresh for Sunday, and it was important from a club perspective that everyone had the chance to enjoy themselves

?We have a day here where the boys can get together and have a bit of fun, and then get back into training tomorrow and get the focus back on to the weekend,? he said. ?I think Jason Smith and the senior group organize days like this, we had a fantastic win over Parramatta and a big effort against Brisbane, so we have both the top squad and the Premier league boys here along with the coaching staff so it?s great for the club to put it on.?

CANBERRA RAIDERS V CRONULLA SHARKS Sunday May 14, 3pm Canberra Stadium

1 Clinton Schifcofske (C) 2 Adrian Purtell 3 Craig Frawley 4 David Howell 5 Adam Mogg 6 Jason Smith 7 Lincoln Withers 8 Andrew Lomu 9 Simon Woolford 10 Troy Thompson 11 Thom Learoyd-Lahrs 12 Jason Croker 13 Alan Tongue

INTERCHANGE 14 Marshall Chalk 15 Ben Jones 16 Michael Hodgson 17 Trevor Thurling 18 Phil Graham 19 Alan Rothery