Canberra Raiders 2019 squad

[zim]

Put on a fair bit of size 2017 -> 2018. Be interesting to see how he turns out for Mounties.

[T_R]

What's the story with Hudson Young?

[greeneyed]

What's the story with Hudson Young?

He was playing Jersey Flegg last year. He's 20 years of age. Second rower. Good prospect.

[T_R]

Thanks!

[gerg]

What's the story with Hudson Young?

He was playing Jersey Flegg last year. He's 20 years of age. Second rower. Good prospect.

Another Second rower. Looking at that top 30 you could genuinely claim 10 are predominantly second rowers or at least that is their best position.

Edit: backrowers.

[Coastalraider]

We are curry going into 2019 in a worse position than we have been in squad wise for 3-4 years.

We have lost 2 starting props, a starting half, and 2 depth props. We have 1 winger and our depth half on long term injuries.

Bateman is a good signing, I’ll pay that. Our replacement prop recruiting is a player who came off the bench in the UK, and a fringe player from the knights. We have not added any depth in the backs. We have not replaced either our departing starting half, or added depth when Hingano got injured, in fact, we have just released our development half.

Unless something happens with our roster prior to the season start, I think we may be fighting hard to ACCO is the spoon this year, I can’t think of many squads that have regressed like we have - but that may be the catalyst to finally make some changes.

[edwahu]

I think if you look at the contributions of the players that have gone we haven't regressed on the field. I think we have a lower ceiling now but also less obvious problems.

Rapanas injury hurts more than the losses.

[Green_Hammock]

We are curry going into 2019 in a worse position than we have been in squad wise for 3-4 years.

We have lost 2 starting props, a starting half, and 2 depth props. We have 1 winger and our depth half on long term injuries.

Bateman is a good signing, I’ll pay that. Our replacement prop recruiting is a player who came off the bench in the UK, and a fringe player from the knights. We have not added any depth in the backs. We have not replaced either our departing starting half, or added depth when Hingano got injured, in fact, we have just released our development half.

Unless something happens with our roster prior to the season start, I think we may be fighting hard to ACCO is the spoon this year, I can’t think of many squads that have regressed like we have - but that may be the catalyst to finally make some changes.

Can't agree more. 2019 is looking very bleak to me.

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[T_R]

We are curry going into 2019 in a worse position than we have been in squad wise for 3-4 years.

We have lost 2 starting props, a starting half, and 2 depth props. We have 1 winger and our depth half on long term injuries.

Bateman is a good signing, I’ll pay that. Our replacement prop recruiting is a player who came off the bench in the UK, and a fringe player from the knights. We have not added any depth in the backs. We have not replaced either our departing starting half, or added depth when Hingano got injured, in fact, we have just released our development half.

Unless something happens with our roster prior to the season start, I think we may be fighting hard to ACCO is the spoon this year, I can’t think of many squads that have regressed like we have - but that may be the catalyst to finally make some changes.

Can't agree more. 2019 is looking very bleak to me.

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The squad has gone backwards, no question.

[-PJ-]

I think we're tanking to get some good picks in the draft.

Smart operator is RStuart.

[Sthsea22]

Dean Matterson is the nephew of Terry Matterson, and the brother of Ryan Matterson. He was with the Roosters last year and he shifted to the Sea Eagles mid season. Played junior reps with the Parramatta Eels and appeared at five eighth in their narrow 20-18 2017 NYC Grand Final loss to the Manly Sea Eagles.







He's aged 21, born 20 November 1997, and made 10 appearances for the Wyong Roos ISP team last year, mostly playing five eighth, but also at centre. After his mid season shift to the Manly Sea Eagles he played six matches for Blacktown.

Last year, he scored five tries, produced seven try assists, four line break assists and three offloads, forced two line drop outs and averaged 63 kicking metres. He averaged 54 running metres and made a total of 861 running metres. He had an 85.2 per cent tackle efficiency rate: http://ow.ly/6ANF30n0zXx

Was playing with his brother Ryan at the Roosters: https://www.roosters.com.au/news/2018/0 ... attersons/

Looks like a decent backup at 3 positions (5/8, Centre, Wing)

[edwahu]

I think we're tanking to get some good picks in the draft.

Smart operator is RStuart.

Worked for the Knights

[nemesis]

I can see why people would think this but in getting rid of our 2 props and a half we actually got rid of what seemed to be our biggest issues last year, tiring overpaid props who were not making an impact and getting caught out in defence, especially while at marker and blake was an absolute shocker reading opposition attack and let in try after try. We just lose Roach but added Matterson who is older and with more experience, is also bigger so that's a small plus in my eyes and O'Hagan came on pretty good to play a lot of Mounties last year when he is eligible to play 20's.

We have more than 1 winger, we have Cotric and Oldfield and we have a few that would do an alright job also if need be while we wait for rapana to come back, we just added another one who looks promising with skill, speed and good size.

Sutton came off the bench yeah but for the premiers, and always played big minutes, coming off the bench means nothing really. he looked good especially in defence from what I’ve seen, he will improve loads with a good off season to trim down and get fitter.

We would all have loved to sign a Johnson etc but I still don't think this team is in that bad of shape really.

Time will tell.

[nachopants]

On paper we have gone backwards purely because Paulo and Boyd were overrated by us. The game is about fast, mobile forwards who hit the line at pace, get up, and play the ball. For the 8 hitups those boys could do, the extra 2-3 metres they made was completely nullified by the fact they'd get wrestled onto their back and take a wet weekend to get up and play it.

I for one am sick of being called the Faiders, our "biggest pack ever" strategy has proven time and time again to be out-rated, and a huge part of that has been a lack of mobility and lateral movement in the ruck in the last 20 minutes of the games.

We won't win the comp this year, but we'll sure as **** "fade" less.

[Ruben Daley]

30 spots
27 players
22 with NRL experience plus one quality international player
2 middle to long-term injuries

That leaves 21 fit NRL level players for Round One. 5 of those have not much to very little experience: Abbey (13 games), Collins (15), Murchie (2), Guler (3), Hunt (1), and of them only Guler has shown the potential to make a meaningful contribution next year.

No fit players to cover our weakest position: halves.

No cover for hooker/utility.

Geez, I hope we use those three remaining spots really, really well or 2019 will be Struggle Town.

[Ruben Daley]

Edit: My summary brushes over Sutton who I hope is NRL level. Still, my overall summary is the same.

[T_R]

Edit: My summary brushes over Sutton who I hope is NRL level. Still, my overall summary is the same.

He couldn't get a start in England.

[gerg]

Our backline depth is my biggest concern. Half our squad (literally) could cover any injuries to the back row but our only 'decent' depth/backup for the backline is already being called upon (Oldfield) to cover for Rapana. We have an injury in the backs, or two, we are screwed.

Our 5/8 had hammy troubles late last season and our centre has had knee trouble for two years.

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[edwahu]

Edit: My summary brushes over Sutton who I hope is NRL level. Still, my overall summary is the same.

He couldn't get a start in England.

I wouldn't read that as a reflection on his abillity, he played the most minutes out of their props.

[julian87]

And has started plenty of his 120 ESL games from what I know. I’m not expecting a world beater in fact there is every chance he will struggle.

But 120 first grade games as a 23 yo prop at a good club is not to be sneezed at imo. If anything he’ll be tough for mine.

[Neeeegz]

Jarrod Croker just announced on Instagram that he and Hodgo will be co captains in 2019. Not sure if it's been reported anywhere else

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[LastRaider]

So I think there is going to be a few changes this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if we line up like this with Rapana being out

1. Wighton
2. Croker
3. Bateman
4. Leilua
5. Cotric
6. Sezar
7. Williams
8. Guler
9. Hodgson
10. Soliola
11. Whitehead
12. Tapine
13. Papalii

14. Havilii
15. Lui
16. L Bateman
17. JJ Collins


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[greeneyed]

Too many Batemans and too many Batemans at centre.

[LastRaider]

Too many Batemans and too many Batemans at centre.

Bateman (English one) has been playing centre in Super League and for England. I can’t see Stuart changing this.

I’m not a fan of Luke Bateman at all. I want him gone but I know Stuart will start him. He just will!


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[-PJ-]

I can never see Ricky playing Croker on the wing..ever.

[LastRaider]

I can never see Ricky playing Croker on the wing..ever.

I wouldn’t say never. I think it will be on the cards, we have lots of strong options now for that position


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[-PJ-]

I can never see Ricky playing Croker on the wing..ever.

I wouldn’t say never. I think it will be on the cards, we have lots of strong options now for that position


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I'm still saying never..

[greeneyed]

Too many Batemans and too many Batemans at centre.

Bateman (English one) has been playing centre in Super League and for England. I can’t see Stuart changing this.

I’m not a fan of Luke Bateman at all. I want him gone but I know Stuart will start him. He just will!


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I'm very l aware he's played at centre. He has played 10 of 15 games for England at centre, but it is certainly not his best position IMO, which was shown in the 2017 World Cup. He's now reverted to second row for England.

He has played only 25 of his 126 games for Wigan at centre. He played none of his 35 games for Bradford at centre.

[edwahu]

I can never see Ricky playing Croker on the wing..ever.

We will have three centres so he can name him co-centre.

[Brew]

Jack Wighton doing a bit oh of kicking in the latest pre season photos.
Have a feeling he will he the number 6.
Geez it will be a long year.


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[Rick]

1. Wighton
2. Oldfield
3. Croker
4. Leilua
5. Cotric
6. Sezar
7. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Hodgson
10. Sutton
11. Whitehead
12. Tapine
13. J Bateman

14. Havilii
15. Lui
16. Soliola
17. Guler

Is how I would name the team game one.

Havilii could cover 8,9,10,11,12 and 13

J Bateman and Whitehead could cover 3 and 4

Croker could cover wing.

Cotrick could cover 1

Hodgson, Wighton and Whitehead could cover the halves.

[zim]

I can never see Ricky playing Croker on the wing..ever.

We will have three centres so he can name him co-centre.

[zim]

1. Wighton (obviously this would depend on where he has been spending his pre-season)
2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Leilua
5. Oldfield
6. Sezer
7. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Hodgson
10. Soliola
11. Bateman
12. Whitehead
13. Tapine

14. Havili
15. Lui
16. Sutton
17. Guler

[Ruben Daley]

Got it on very good authority that Papa to prop and J. Bateman to lock is on.

Papa will mean we have a dynamic, line-breaking/try threat option in the front-row for the first time in ages. Will also make us way more defensively mobile.

I still think we need a guy in the Guler-Sutton-Hunt category to lift in order to give us true depth but it’s a potentially very strong pack.

[Sid]

Wonder how many minutes we’ll get from papa at the front. 60?