The Greenhouse

What should excite you most about your club in 2019

RAIDERS — A fit Josh Hodgson

The England international is obviously a crucial cog for Canberra and that was evident when he was sidelined for half of 2018 due to an ACL injury. But the Raiders hooker will be fit and firing this time around and fans will be hoping he can get the side firing straight out of the blocks. Hodgson is also now the Raiders’ co-captain, a move that could see his game thrive even more.

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 10800d7706

They had the 2016 QF on Fox the other day, and that first half he was the best player on the field by a mile until he got sniped by Sezer

If he plays like that this year we'll be in with a show.

What excites me? The 26th Round where it’s all over and we become blindly optimistic for 2020.


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Watching John Bateman. I wasn't a big fan of signing another backrower but after watching him in superleague more I think he will make a big difference. Just having less lazy players in the side will be good in general.

edwahu wrote:Watching John Bateman. I wasn't a big fan of signing another backrower but after watching him in superleague more I think he will make a big difference. Just having less lazy players in the side will be good I'm general.

The Whitehead/Bateman bromance is going to be sizzling. I can't wait to see it develop to the point where Whitehead scores a match winning try in Round 26 and Bateman boofs him in the in goal area, with Hodgo rushing in to break it up "cat i'oot ewe blocks, deres keds in de crowed".

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gergreg wrote: ↑January 30, 2019, 4:05 pm

edwahu wrote:Watching John Bateman. I wasn't a big fan of signing another backrower but after watching him in superleague more I think he will make a big difference. Just having less lazy players in the side will be good I'm general.

The Whitehead/Bateman bromance is going to be sizzling. I can't wait to see it develop to the point where Whitehead scores a match winning try in Round 26 and Bateman boofs him in the in goal area, with Hodgo rushing in to break it up "cat i'oot ewe blocks, deres keds in de crowed".

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Hodgson is secretly Jamaican???

The ups and downs, highs and lows, the joy and depression..

We sign up for this...

John Bateman.. closely followed by emre guler

a chance to begin the season better than 0-4

Sid wrote: ↑January 31, 2019, 8:43 am a chance to begin the season better than 0-4

We get that chance every season mate..

Arrival of our new coach

sprintman wrote: ↑January 31, 2019, 10:27 am Arrival of our new coach

We got rid of the greyhound?

edwahu wrote: ↑January 31, 2019, 10:38 am

sprintman wrote: ↑January 31, 2019, 10:27 am Arrival of our new coach

We got rid of the greyhound?

They couldn't wash the egg off it.

Bloody Sharks supporters.

A fit Hodgo.

I'm excited to see where Stuart puts everybody actually, after all the speculation.

I think Jack has bulked up a bit in his 3 months off and might have a breakout year in terms of tackle busts and running game.

I'm curious to see how these two new Englishmen go. Bateman has all the raps but both of them might find the pace and physicality a bit much first year out. We can't expect everyone to adapt and thrive- can we?

Im just excited....

that not as many gaps in defence will be left as Blake Austin has gone, and 2 lazy forwards not pulling their weight on a consistent basis

gergreg wrote: ↑January 30, 2019, 4:05 pm

edwahu wrote:Watching John Bateman. I wasn't a big fan of signing another backrower but after watching him in superleague more I think he will make a big difference. Just having less lazy players in the side will be good I'm general.

The Whitehead/Bateman bromance is going to be sizzling. I can't wait to see it develop to the point where Whitehead scores a match winning try in Round 26 and Bateman boofs him in the in goal area, with Hodgo rushing in to break it up "cat i'oot ewe blocks, deres keds in de crowed".

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So will it be White/man or Bate/head. Maybe Bat/Ew. I know the quality that Hodgo can bring, but I've never really watched much of Bateman. Here's hoping all the positive reports are spot on. One question - does he have any twin brothers?

This new look mobile pack, mostly because it's first time in a while there's not been pre-season articles about the giant Raiders forwards. Fingers crossed that excitement last longer than the first 10min of Rd1.

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If Wighton has managed to develop soft hands/feet instead of his usual ***** fingers and cinder blocks he may be a revelation at 5/8th imo

Also, our defence has been so poor for such a long time, we MUST have focused on that this off-season.

I truly believe with Austo gone (defensively) and a far, far more mobile pack and middle third, we have every chance of being in the 'top 8' defensively instead of the usual bottom for defence, and top 4 attack.

Top 4 attack and top 8 defence is the only thing giving me hope.

I'm not sure how Jack will go at 6. He was uncomfortable there last time. It always looked awkward and uneasy.

And we don't have a better replacement for him at 1.

I expect it to happen. Just not sure if it will succeed.

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Yeah Dubs I hear ya. I'm hoping the extra few years have helped. To be totally honest he looked just as awkward at fullback, back then remember? Poor hands, laughed at for dropping bombs, etc.

We'll see. He is a bit tall and range-y for mine as a 5/8th, susceptible to being picked up and driven, or dragged towards the sideline, but time will tell

His performances last year gave me a lot of confidence it will work this time.

Jack is a center. That's his place.
He'll never play there again unless BJ or Croker retire. Even then, Neddy wil play centre before him.

In fact, I think Jack and Neddy are better centres. In some ways.

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I don’t believe we’ll be a top 4 attacking team without Rapana. Just don’t see it.

Other than the pleasant background buzz I get from the NRL season in general and the Raiders in particular, I can't see a single thing to be excited about for the 2019.

dubby wrote: ↑February 2, 2019, 4:44 pm Croker retire
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I think Croker should play on the wing, truly. Fast, less decisions, still a great goal kicker. The El Masris and Halligans of our world have done it.

I know it's an impossible call for Ricky because Toots is "captain" and "rusted on" ... but ... football-wise, do you agree?

Part of me wonders if that's why Stick has gone with co-captains this year...

There is a significant difference between what Inglis and Croker are just as body shapes.

gangrenous wrote:I don’t believe we’ll be a top 4 attacking team without Rapana. Just don’t see it.

Me either mate

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T_R wrote:Other than the pleasant background buzz I get from the NRL season in general and the Raiders in particular, I can't see a single thing to be excited about for the 2019.

TR, brother, I get that.

But have the slightest inkling of faith. I know you do. That's why we're raiders fans.

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I’m excited to get a mid season transfer and replace Sam Williams and patch the holes in our defense


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Can’t wait to see Hodgson play behind a very mobile pack...

Fox league is currently showing Raiders wins from 2018.

On now is the rnd 9 home game v Titans.

This has me excited for 2019.

Can't wait.

Josh Papalii.

He's looks in great nick and will hit the ground running in 2019.

12 months ago..not so much.

This will be Papas best season I reckon..fire up !!

Winning a few games in the last 2 minutes

That they have finally hired a sports psychologist.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/raider ... 50z8p.html

edwahu wrote:That they have finally hired a sports psychologist.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/raider ... 50z8p.html

That's actually great news. They are finally doing something about the close losses.

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gangrenous wrote: ↑February 2, 2019, 4:57 pm I don’t believe we’ll be a top 4 attacking team without Rapana. Just don’t see it.

A monumental loss no doubt, We have attacking weapons right across the park.. Defense as always will be the issue