greeneyed wrote: ↑May 1, 2018, 7:12 pmCanberra Raiders out to keep proving doubters wrong
They may have hit back at claims they are "mentally weak" but Aidan Sezer says Canberra know the critics won't go away unless they can back up in Saturday's NRL clash with Gold Coast Titans.
"I don't think our boys are mentally soft, we have just let ourselves down in different areas," Sezer said. "We showed the attitude we can take into games (against Cowboys). We just need to be more consistent."
Gee I hate these articles. It says more about our club; players, culture and attitude. These sorts of articles would also pop up when Furner and Henry were around and the team got on a bit of a roll. Just reeks of a bunch of losers that require criticism to actually pull their finger out and perform. "Proving the doubters wrong". ****. If that is the only thing that can motivate you, you're in big trouble and it goes some way towards explaining our complete lack of success for over 20 years.
Comes from the man at the top, Greg.
We grind out wins at home against the bottom two sides, and Sticky can barely restrain his glee at being able to “shove it in our faces”, despite having achieved very little.
No wonder the players take the lead from him and think they can put the cue back in the rack when he carries on like that.
Yep we are on track to lose this weekend now. Sticky is due to blame referee’s again so he will have that excuse ready... “poor buggers”
greeneyed wrote: ↑May 2, 2018, 6:51 pmVIDEO: Canberra Raiders forward Dunamis Lui not getting carried away by Cowboys win
Raiders forward Dunamis Lui is adamant that his Raiders teammates will not get carried away after last week's voctory over the Cowboys in Townsville. The green machine return home to Canberra Stadium this weekend to take on the Gold Coast Titans.
That's EXACTLY the type of rhetoric I want to see coming out of the Raiders camp this week. It's leagues away from the "we've figured out the formula for our success" type rubbish they were churning out before their massive crash to the Rabbitohs.
Canberra Raiders back Nick Cotric to be a Blues bolter
Canberra Raiders winger Nick Cotric would not be out of place in the cauldron of State of Origin according to those who know him best, his teammates.
"He's a quality player, I have no doubt he'd be able to kill it at that level," Jordan Rapana said. "But I'm sure if you spoke to Nick he's just focused on playing well and doing his job here and so be it if he gets selected I'm sure he'll absolutely wonderful for the Blues."
greeneyed wrote: ↑May 3, 2018, 10:20 am
if he gets selected I'm sure he'll absolutely wonderful for the Blues
Interesting times. Jennings and Mansour are 100% out, and you'd think the Morris boys are done too? The rest depends on whether Freddy wants to stick with Dugan/Ferguson or bring in more fresh blood.
I suppose it also depends on what happens at fullback as Tedesco isn't setting the world on fire ATM. Who are the other options for Blues wing spots?
Addo-Carr, Tom Turbo, Latrell, Ferguson, who else is in with a shot? Aitken for a centre spot? Rossdog? Who are the other bolters?
greeneyed wrote: ↑May 3, 2018, 10:20 am
if he gets selected I'm sure he'll absolutely wonderful for the Blues
Interesting times. Jennings and Mansour are 100% out, and you'd think the Morris boys are done too? The rest depends on whether Freddy wants to stick with Dugan/Ferguson or bring in more fresh blood.
I suppose it also depends on what happens at fullback as Tedesco isn't setting the world on fire ATM. Who are the other options for Blues wing spots?
Addo-Carr, Tom Turbo, Latrell, Ferguson, who else is in with a shot? Aitken for a centre spot? Rossdog? Who are the other bolters?
I heard a few league commentators talk about the fact that the Blues need to consider wingers that can take bring back the ball (i.e. taking the first and second hit-up). If that is what Freddy needs, tbh, i don't see him moving away from Ferguson. I think that Cotric wouldn't look out of place to take the other spot. He is strong and has great ability.
greeneyed wrote: ↑May 1, 2018, 7:12 pmCanberra Raiders out to keep proving doubters wrong
They may have hit back at claims they are "mentally weak" but Aidan Sezer says Canberra know the critics won't go away unless they can back up in Saturday's NRL clash with Gold Coast Titans.
"I don't think our boys are mentally soft, we have just let ourselves down in different areas," Sezer said. "We showed the attitude we can take into games (against Cowboys). We just need to be more consistent."
Gee I hate these articles. It says more about our club; players, culture and attitude. These sorts of articles would also pop up when Furner and Henry were around and the team got on a bit of a roll. Just reeks of a bunch of losers that require criticism to actually pull their finger out and perform. "Proving the doubters wrong". ****. If that is the only thing that can motivate you, you're in big trouble and it goes some way towards explaining our complete lack of success for over 20 years.
Comes from the man at the top, Greg.
We grind out wins at home against the bottom two sides, and Sticky can barely restrain his glee at being able to “shove it in our faces”, despite having achieved very little.
No wonder the players take the lead from him and think they can put the cue back in the rack when he carries on like that.
Well he does look at these things 'deeper' than any of us. Not sure if he realises that this ingenious strategy requires the team to play like spuds for the critics and doubters to start circling?
Josh Papalii's response bodes well for Canberra Raiders and Maroons: Queensland coach Kevin Walters
Kevin Walters says the way Josh Papalii's responded to being dropped is not only great for the Canberra Raiders, but the Maroons' State of Origin hopes as well. Having won the battle against Jason Taumalolo last week, Papalii now faces his potential rival for the Maroons lock, Jai Arrow.
"He's one of those players that's pretty versatile and handles those positions. Right now he's playing in the middle and that's great for the Raiders and equally good for the Maroons as well.
VIDEO: Canberra Raiders Jordan Rapana focused ahead of Gold Coast Titans clash
Raiders Wing Jordan Rapana is focused on this week's match against the Gold Coast Titans at GIO Stadium on Saturday and has admitted that his Raiders teammates are not dwelling on their previous meeting against the Titans earlier this season.
Maroons jersey up for grabs in Arrow clash with Papalii
Gold Coast forward Jai Arrow can go a long way towards securing his first Queensland jersey if he dominates his showdown with Josh Papalii in Canberra on Saturday.
Substance over style for defensive-minded Canberra Raiders
If the Raiders are going to dig their way out of their early-season slump and claim a finals berth, captain Jarrod Croker believes it will be on the back of their work without the ball.
''The way we defended against the Cowboys and those last two home games here, we've set a benchmark,'' Croker said. ''We speak about defending well and showing up with the right attitude and we've shown in those games with the right defensive attitude, we're a pretty hard team to beat.''
They may be known for their free attacking arsenal but Canberra hope to become synonymous with defence as they look to continue their NRL resurgence against Gold Coast on Saturday.
"Defensively we have got stronger. I think the way we defended against the Cowboys ... we have set that as a benchmark. Defensively we want to build on that effort last week, to bring that mindset. We showed (against Cowboys) that we are a pretty hard team to beat when we do," captain Jarrod Croker said.
Those last two articles are better than hearing about winning formulae and shoving it in fans faces.
Gina Riley: Oh, come on, John. That’s a bit old hat, the corrupt IOC delegate. John Clarke: Old hat? Gina, in the scientific world when they see that something is happening again and again and again, repeatedly, they don’t call it old hat. They call it a pattern.
Canberra Raiders omit Jack Murchie and Brad Abbey from squad to face Gold Coast Titans
The Canberra Raiders have omitted Jack Murchie and Brad Abbey from their squad to face the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday afternoon, with Liam Knight and Michael Oldfield remaining on the extended bench.
Will Matthews (concussion) and Kane Elgey have dropped out of the Titans' squad, with Max King moving into the starting prop position and Ryan James moving to the backrow. Leilani Latu is likely to come into the top 17 on the bench.
Canberra Raiders
1. Jack Wighton
2. Nick Cotric
3. Jarrod Croker (C)
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Blake Austin
7. Aidan Sezer
8. Sia Soliola
9. Siliva Havili
10. Junior Paulo
11. Joe Tapine
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Josh Papalii
14. Ata Hingano
15. Shannon Boyd
16. Luke Bateman
17. Dunamis Lui
18. Liam Knight
19. Michael Oldfield
Gold Coast Titans
1. Michael Gordon
2. Anthony Don
3. Brendan Elliot
4. Konrad Hurrell
5. Phillip Sami
6. Bryce Cartwright
7. Ash Taylor
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Mitch Rein
14. Max King
11. Kevin Proctor
10. Ryan James (c)
13. Jai Arrow
15. Jack Stockwell
16. Keegan Hipgrave
17. Ryan Simpkins
18. Leilani Latu
19. Moeaki Fotuaika
20. Brenko Lee
Captain Jarrod Croker urges Canberra Raiders to seize the day
Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker urges his team to make the most of this NRL season, which could be their last together as a number of off-contract stars weigh up their futures. Croker said it would be ideal to have all the contracts sorted as quickly as possible, but it was more important they take advantage of the group they've got at the moment.
"Very rarely are you going to have the exact same team year-in, year-out so you've got to make the most of the boys that you're with every year, boys come and go," he said.
Canberra Raiders winger Nick Cotric could handle any level in the world: Greg Alexander
NSW Blues advisor Greg Alexander says Nick Cotric is one of those special players who can handle any situation no matter what level in the world he is playing.
"There's a number of young players that are very composed, they look like they could handle any situation that's thrown at them," Alexander said. "There's a calculated risk in that, but Nick certainly looks like the player that it wouldn't matter what level of football he was playing, he would play the same. Which is good, that's what you want."
greeneyed wrote: ↑May 4, 2018, 6:30 pmCanberra Raiders winger Nick Cotric could handle any level in the world: Greg Alexander
NSW Blues advisor Greg Alexander says Nick Cotric is one of those special players who can handle any situation no matter what level in the world he is playing.
"There's a number of young players that are very composed, they look like they could handle any situation that's thrown at them," Alexander said. "There's a calculated risk in that, but Nick certainly looks like the player that it wouldn't matter what level of football he was playing, he would play the same. Which is good, that's what you want."
greeneyed wrote:Captain Jarrod Croker urges Canberra Raiders to seize the day
Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker urges his team to make the most of this NRL season, which could be their last together as a number of off-contract stars weigh up their futures. Croker said it would be ideal to have all the contracts sorted as quickly as possible, but it was more important they take advantage of the group they've got at the moment.
"Very rarely are you going to have the exact same team year-in, year-out so you've got to make the most of the boys that you're with every year, boys come and go," he said.