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Raiders Cotric

Canberra Raiders NRL 2018 season preview


No Hodgson, no Raiders

Key Ins: Liam Knight (Roosters), Sam Williams (Wakefield Trinity), Michael Oldfield (Panthers), Craig Garvey (Bulldogs)

Key Outs: Jordan Turner (Huddersfield Giants), Dave Taylor (Toronto Wolfpack), Clay Priest (Bulldogs)

 

Overview

The Green Machine entered last season on the back of high expectations following a memorable 2016 which saw them finish runners-up in the regular season, only to be bundled out of the competition in the preliminary finals. Things went south in 2017 however. as the Raiders missed out on finals football all together after finishing a disappointing 10th place. The inability to win tight games proved to be the catalyst in the demise of Ricky Stuart’s side as they lost seven games by six points or less.

 

Unfortunately for Raiders fans, things won’t get much easier this season. Stuart’s worst fears were realised at the back end of last year when it was revealed that his inspirational hooker, Josh Hodgson, had sustained a serious knee injury playing for England during the 2017 World Cup. The Canberra rake, who topped the club’s try assist count last season (9), is likely to sit on the sidelines until round 15. 

 

It’s not all doom and gloom at Canberra however, as the side possess powerful forwards who are able to lay a strong platform for a backline which is littered with attacking weapons. The Raiders were the competition’s fourth highest point scorers last year despite winning only 11 games, which suggests that if they can plug holes in their defensive line, they will make a better go of it this season.  

 

It is difficult to envisage the Green Machine repeating their 2016 efforts without their talented hooker however. The quicker his knee mends, the greater their chance of making a charge at the top eight.

Player to watch: Jordan Rapana was the 2017 Dally M winger of the year and has the ability to break a game open in the blink of an eye. He scored 21 tries and made 24 line breaks last year but his dynamic dummy-half running on kick-return sets is perhaps his most underrated quality. At his peak he is easily the best winger in the competition and his lethal combination with centre Joey Leilua will certainly break down a defensive line or two in 2018. 

Key player: Aiden Sezer will need to step-up to the plate big time this season. In the absence of Hodgson, the Raiders will be looking to Sezer to play a much more active role in pulling the strings this season and will be pivotal in converting the close losses from last season into wins. 

 

Outside backs rating: 9/10

There will be plenty of pressure on the Canberra outside backs to lend a helping hand in kick-return sets in order to ease the pressure and work-load on the big Raiders forward pack. Joey Leilua is devastating when he’s given early ball, so look for the halves to send the ball wide often this season. Jarrod Croker is arguably the most underrated centre in the game, reliable in both attack and defence, which has allowed young gun Nick Crotric to play with freedom on the wing. 

Forward Pack rating: 4/10

The Raiders have a huge forward pack with big boppers Junior Paulo, Shannon Boyd and Josh Papalli all strong ball runners, however they lack mobility and it’s rare they all fire on the same day. Often the Raiders were caught out last season by their forwards being flat footed in defence, leaving their inside defenders exposed. Elliot Whitehead is a youngster on the rise and will improve off an impressive year in 2017 whilst veteran Sia Soliola always gets his job done for coach Stuart. 

Spine rating: 4/10      

Jack Wighton (Fullback), Blake Austin (Five Eight), Aiden Sezer (Halfback) and Craig Garvey (Hooker) have one job to do this year; get quality ball to their strong running forwards and then distribute the pill wide to their devastating outside backs. Raiders fans will be desperate for Austin and Wighton to take their game to the next level this season after witnessing both players all too often string a group of promising performances together, only to go missing when it counts.   


                Bookies' Verdict Our Verdict
Top 8 $1.90 Way too short without Hodgson
Premiership $26 $51
2018 Prediction 11th 14th

 

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