Matt, I agree with most of what you wrote except for the part about Austin's cover defence. As an example I will use the Bronco's first try. Austin went straight over the top of the Bronco to allow the try.
We have every footy reason to enjoy watching Hodgo. But what about his honesty in the above article.
"I think he'll go really well. It was obvious for everybody to see that we had some issues on the right edge on the weekend when the Broncos targeted us there," Hodgson said.
"Sammy's just a really composed head. He's very talkative and I think that'll really help our defensive systems. He's been around a while, Sammy, and he knows the score.
"He's got to come in and do his job, nothing too flash, just get us around the park, get us talking and on that right edge making sure we're firming up and everyone's doing their own job."
Canberra Raiders Sam Williams backs Green Machine to kick-start into gear
They've had the red pen put through their chances of making the finals by most pundits, but halfback Sam Williams says as long as there is a chance, the Raiders know they can shock the rest of the NRL.
"Sometimes it makes it a little bit easier knowing we've got to win the game and every player on that field is going to be doing everything he can to win the game," Williams said. "The ball's still in our court, we can still make the finals and we're still planning on doing that, so this week is the start of a big run and hopefully we can finish in that top eight."
Family man Sia Soliola happy to be Canberra Raiders pack's father figure
His off-field family and his football one were the biggest reasons why Sia Soliola shunned offers from overseas to stay in Canberra for another two seasons.
"As sad as it is to see [Shannon] Boydy and Junior [Paulo] go, I really have faith in the young guys they are going to bring in," Soliola said. "[Liam] Knighty's played some pretty good football when he's been on the field, Luke Bateman's starting to get into the fold where he's going to be one of the new senior players.
greeneyed wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 3:54 amCanberra Raiders Sam Williams backs Green Machine to kick-start into gear
They've had the red pen put through their chances of making the finals by most pundits, but halfback Sam Williams says as long as there is a chance, the Raiders know they can shock the rest of the NRL.
"Sometimes it makes it a little bit easier knowing we've got to win the game and every player on that field is going to be doing everything he can to win the game," Williams said. "The ball's still in our court, we can still make the finals and we're still planning on doing that, so this week is the start of a big run and hopefully we can finish in that top eight."
If only they would kick start their run into the finals in the first round!! It’s never too early to start winning.
And on another note, why cant every member of this team defend well. Surely they learn this from an early age, and it must be hammered into them at every level. Defence is something that can be taught.
Timbo wrote: ↑July 4, 2018, 11:46 am
This is 100% the time to be blooding Murchie.
Season over, weak opposition, won't be a lot of eyes or pressure on him. 25 minutes in the second half to taste first grade.
But no, Supercoach chooses to pick a player who's forgotten that he owns a set of shoulders off the bench to do **** knows what once he gets on.
Actually, blooding Murchie on the bench is probably a bad idea given how often he forgets he has a bench. Can you imagine being told it's your first grade debut only to ride the pine for 80 minutes when bossman gets so invested in his 13 hurtin' players that he actually forgets you exist?
You sure know our coach
It's a simple game; tackle, back-up, pass, hold the ball! What did I say? "Hold the bloody ball!!"
Gold member 2023
greeneyed wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 3:54 amCanberra Raiders Sam Williams backs Green Machine to kick-start into gear
They've had the red pen put through their chances of making the finals by most pundits, but halfback Sam Williams says as long as there is a chance, the Raiders know they can shock the rest of the NRL.
"Sometimes it makes it a little bit easier knowing we've got to win the game and every player on that field is going to be doing everything he can to win the game," Williams said. "The ball's still in our court, we can still make the finals and we're still planning on doing that, so this week is the start of a big run and hopefully we can finish in that top eight."
Parra have signed Blake Fergusson and jnr Paulo for 2019 so Im thinking Austin is far from a done deal. He may well end up exiled to the Super League.
Wherever he ends up he'll be earning less money.
I'm happy to see Williams back in the squad. Every time we have gone on a good run he has been in the team. Does well placed kicks, gets try assists, and I don't think his defence is that bad. He got more try assists then both Austin and sezer in half the games. That's what I want from a half good kicking and setting up tries.
greeneyed wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 3:54 amCanberra Raiders Sam Williams backs Green Machine to kick-start into gear
They've had the red pen put through their chances of making the finals by most pundits, but halfback Sam Williams says as long as there is a chance, the Raiders know they can shock the rest of the NRL.
"Sometimes it makes it a little bit easier knowing we've got to win the game and every player on that field is going to be doing everything he can to win the game," Williams said. "The ball's still in our court, we can still make the finals and we're still planning on doing that, so this week is the start of a big run and hopefully we can finish in that top eight."
If only they would kick start their run into the finals in the first round!! It’s never too early to start winning.
And on another note, why cant every member of this team defend well. Surely they learn this from an early age, and it must be hammered into them at every level. Defence is something that can be taught.
If defence can be taught Austin is a slow learner.
Have people forgotten that Williams is a bad defender as well have people forgotten the first few games when Williams played ? Go back on GH everyone was bagging Williams because he can not tackle.
greeneyed wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 3:54 amCanberra Raiders Sam Williams backs Green Machine to kick-start into gear
They've had the red pen put through their chances of making the finals by most pundits, but halfback Sam Williams says as long as there is a chance, the Raiders know they can shock the rest of the NRL.
"Sometimes it makes it a little bit easier knowing we've got to win the game and every player on that field is going to be doing everything he can to win the game," Williams said. "The ball's still in our court, we can still make the finals and we're still planning on doing that, so this week is the start of a big run and hopefully we can finish in that top eight."
If only they would kick start their run into the finals in the first round!! It’s never too early to start winning.
And on another note, why cant every member of this team defend well. Surely they learn this from an early age, and it must be hammered into them at every level. Defence is something that can be taught.
It’s not that we don’t defend well...it comes down to playing the wrong defensive structure
The season is over as far as finals are concerned. Austin won’t be here next you Williams will. Regardless of def naive issues we gain nothing by playing Austin we potentially develop combinations if we can’t sign an alternative by playing Williams.
InFernos_Raiders wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 5:24 pm
Have people forgotten that Williams is a bad defender as well have people forgotten the first few games when Williams played ? Go back on GH everyone was bagging Williams because he can not tackle.
Greenhouse optimism, hoping Williams is the lesser of 2 evils. I’m on board too.
One can’t get in position to make a tackle, the other can’t make a tackle.
At the very least, being in position to make a tackle puts more pressure on the attack and against the Dogs we should be sweet.
InFernos_Raiders wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 5:24 pm
Have people forgotten that Williams is a bad defender as well have people forgotten the first few games when Williams played ? Go back on GH everyone was bagging Williams because he can not tackle.
Greenhouse optimism, hoping Williams is the lesser of 2 evils. I’m on board too.
One can’t get in position to make a tackle, the other can’t make a tackle.
At the very least, being in position to make a tackle puts more pressure on the attack and against the Dogs we should be sweet.
Williams has an 81% tackle efficiency. Not too bad. We lost most games by making errors in our own half and handing teams wins. I don't think Austin is the problem.sezer is too rocks and diamonds, but more often then not rocks. I'd rather Austin/Williams. My other concerns is us taking 2 points when we have teams on the ropes. Where almost the best attacking team in the comp. Go for try everytime imo.
InFernos_Raiders wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 5:24 pm
Have people forgotten that Williams is a bad defender as well have people forgotten the first few games when Williams played ? Go back on GH everyone was bagging Williams because he can not tackle.
Williams had to switch sides to accommodate Austin this year.
The fact is Austin's worst is really putrid. I don't think Williams has ever had a game as poor as some of Austin's bad games.
Well, Austin is playing crap. That's when you bring in your alternative and see how they go and evaluate. That's what most teams do within a week or three, not a month or three.
Canberra Raiders nine lives as NRL history repeats
So you're saying there's a chance. It might be slim, it might be delusional, but if any team in the NRL could do it, history shows it's the Green Machine.
"Sometimes it makes it a little bit easier - we go out there knowing we've got to win the game. Every player on that field is going to do everything he can to win the game," Sam Williams said. "The ball's still in our court, we can still make the finals and we're still planning on doing that. This week's the start of hopefully a big run and we'll finish in that top eight."
InFernos_Raiders wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 5:24 pm
Have people forgotten that Williams is a bad defender as well have people forgotten the first few games when Williams played ? Go back on GH everyone was bagging Williams because he can not tackle.
Greenhouse optimism, hoping Williams is the lesser of 2 evils. I’m on board too.
One can’t get in position to make a tackle, the other can’t make a tackle.
At the very least, being in position to make a tackle puts more pressure on the attack and against the Dogs we should be sweet.
I don’t think it matters anyway our season was officaly over last week when we gave the Broncos the 2 points. We won’t make up 6 points and then hope the above teams lose enough games...I mean go on a big losing streak. It won’t happen. If we won last week we would be only 2 points one win out of the top 8 the loss made it 6 points.
I hope Sam is next to BJ and Tapine, big bodies. I’m sure Sam will put himself in the right place in defence.
He looked really sharp in attack before his injury also.
VIDEO: Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker speaks about the clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs
Raiders Captain Jarrod Croker has given his thoughts ahead of tomorrow's clash against the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.
"Belmore is obviously their spiritual home and no doubt they will be coming off the back fence against us," Croker said. "We know that we have to win almost all of our games but we have to look at this one way and take each game as it comes."
greeneyed wrote: ↑July 5, 2018, 8:50 pmCanberra Raiders nine lives as NRL history repeats
So you're saying there's a chance. It might be slim, it might be delusional, but if any team in the NRL could do it, history shows it's the Green Machine.
"Sometimes it makes it a little bit easier - we go out there knowing we've got to win the game. Every player on that field is going to do everything he can to win the game," Sam Williams said. "The ball's still in our court, we can still make the finals and we're still planning on doing that. This week's the start of hopefully a big run and we'll finish in that top eight."
But instead of needing to go on another end of season run just to make the finals how about we concentrate on not playing like muppets for the first 15 rounds each and every time.
We should comfortably be the top 4 right now..through this Origin period with the luxury of dropping the odd game and heaven forbid rest the odd player here and there...
But once again Raiders you've blown it...
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
I was looking at the stats for last few times we made the semis and for the last 3 it's been on the back of a combined 26-4 run for the last 10 games. We really can string them together.
No point kicking stones as Canberra Raiders eye revival
Raiders captain Jarrod Croker says the Green Machine can't afford to "kick stones" with their campaign almost reaching the sudden death checkpoint nine weeks early.
"We can’t sit there and kick stones, one thing we can’t do is sit there and sulk about it, we’ve got to move on. If we get ourselves in the position again we’ve got to do everything we can and do everything at our own cost to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker expects Bulldogs pups to pack plenty of bite
Canterbury showed last weekend in Newcastle they won't be pushovers despite their lowly status on the ladder and Canberra captain Jarrod Croker is wary of the young Bulldogs pups.
"They've got some young players in there now and everybody knows how dangerous a young and enthusiastic side can be. I thought Lachlan Lewis debuted really well last week, it was a big effort coming into a side that's had a bit of turmoil and a lot of player movement, so I thought he played really well."
I wouldn’t read much into Austin being on the bench this week, he is dropped and gone I would say.
I think with Ricky always liking a utility/hooker type player in the 14 he just ran out of options and Austin became last man standing.
If either one of Papalii, Bateman or Hingano available he wouldn’t be there.
Even if Wighton or Ropana were available he might of also being gone as correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t he play Oldfield off the bench once previously ?
scotchberry wrote:I wouldn’t read much into Austin being on the bench this week, he is dropped and gone I would say.
I think with Ricky always liking a utility/hooker type player in the 14 he just ran out of options and Austin became last man standing.
If either one of Papalii, Bateman or Hingano available he wouldn’t be there.
Even if Wighton or Ropana were available he might of also being gone as correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t he play Oldfield off the bench once previously ?
Canberra Raiders spiritual leader Sia Soliola gives heart to the homeless
Every Monday morning Sia Soliola can be found feeding the homeless at the Canberra City Uniting Church early morning centre.
"Everyone has their views on them, but they're just normal people," Sia Soliola said. "The thing is there's no one common thing that's got them to where they are. Every story's different, that's the biggest eye opener for anybody because I reckon it can happen to anybody.
What is this "spiritual leader " crap ?? Because he isn't doing his job there obviously.. And I'm getting really sick of Crokers dribble, who cares... You've blown another season pretending to be professional sports people... What a joke this place has become, its like they actually believe their own bull****. Amazing
scotchberry wrote: ↑July 6, 2018, 6:01 pm
I wouldn’t read much into Austin being on the bench this week, he is dropped and gone I would say.
I think with Ricky always liking a utility/hooker type player in the 14 he just ran out of options and Austin became last man standing.
If either one of Papalii, Bateman or Hingano available he wouldn’t be there.
Even if Wighton or Ropana were available he might of also being gone as correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t he play Oldfield off the bench once previously ?