Canberra Raiders rewarded with representative honours

[Sid]

I don’t think size is an issue really because he’d probably be marking Michael Morgan.

I think the biggest concern with defending that side of the field is that it'll be Munster and Ponga running that left side channel, but I suppose that moreso comes down to the centre's decision making than their size.

[Northern Raider]

I don’t think size is an issue really because he’d probably be marking Michael Morgan.

I think the biggest concern with defending that side of the field is that it'll be Munster and Ponga running that left side channel, but I suppose that moreso comes down to the centre's decision making than their size.

That pair would give anyone nightmares.

In all seriousnes though, Munster and Ponga are going to be causing problems for the edge forward and half defending that side. The right centre needs to focus on his own mark.

[Sid]

I don’t think size is an issue really because he’d probably be marking Michael Morgan.

I think the biggest concern with defending that side of the field is that it'll be Munster and Ponga running that left side channel, but I suppose that moreso comes down to the centre's decision making than their size.

That pair would give anyone nightmares.

In all seriousnes though, Munster and Ponga are going to be causing problems for the edge forward and half defending that side. The right centre needs to focus on his own mark.

True, the damage caused by that duo will probably be done before it gets that far across the field.

[greeneyed]

Fittler won't pick a Raider.

[Woodgers]

I don’t think size is an issue really because he’d probably be marking Michael Morgan.

Yeah fair point but will they know that for sure when at the selection table? Morgan being played out of position would even up the margin for Croker changing sides too.

[bonehead]

I'd switch Latrell and play Croker on the left, will chambers switched to avoid Latrell hasn't he?

[Billy Walker]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

[The Nickman]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

Aaaaaand that's about the point I stopped reading

[Sid]

Fittler won't pick a Raider.

will he pick 2?

[-PJ-]

Whats going on here lately ?

Croker is all round crap now..

[BadnMean]

Fittler won't pick a Raider.

You reckon?

I can feel the hate coming out of Brandy's every pore but I never picked up a big anti-Raider side from Freddy. He struck me as more pragmatic. If we'd beat Rooters and Souffs I have no doubt there'd be a Raider in his squad.

Mind you by losing the two big games vs top sides we haven't any right for players to be demanding selection for NSW. Our standouts have been Papa, CNK and Bateman. Others might have had good games or good years but nothing better than others in the comp are having my a huge margin.

Jack is the only one I see mounting a very strong case but that's also a tactical what kind of bench he wants.

[The Nickman]

Fittler won't pick a Raider.

You reckon?

I can feel the hate coming out of Brandy's every pore but I never picked up a big anti-Raider side from Freddy. He struck me as more pragmatic. If we'd beat Rooters and Souffs I have no doubt there'd be a Raider in his squad.

Mind you by losing the two big games vs top sides we haven't any right for players to be demanding selection for NSW. Our standouts have been Papa, CNK and Bateman. Others might have had good games or good years but nothing better than others in the comp are having my a huge margin.

Jack is the only one I see mounting a very strong case but that's also a tactical what kind of bench he wants.

Haven't you been paying attention?? EVERYONE hates the Raiders.

[Ruben Daley]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

Aaaaaand that's about the point I stopped reading

X2

Wasn’t Croker matching up against a current QLD Origin centre as recently as Saturday? I’d argue Croker caused more defensive headaches for Gagai than the other way around.

[Northern Raider]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

Aaaaaand that's about the point I stopped reading

You should have as it gets better. It cited his problem being a player who is no longer in the NRL. I can't speak for everybody but once finals come around I don't see Konrad Hurrell posing much threat.

[gerg]

Jebus..... Aubusson equal with Cotric....

More concerning the love for Roberts. It's like suggesting Greg Eastwood for a rep jersey.

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[Billy Walker]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

Aaaaaand that's about the point I stopped reading

You should have as it gets better. It cited his problem being a player who is no longer in the NRL. I can't speak for everybody but once finals come around I don't see Konrad Hurrell posing much threat.

I don’t mean to offend you fellas who have a serious man-crush on Croker - it’s just I prefer a centre who is.... better.

[The Nickman]

There's a big difference between having a "man crush" and having no idea, m8.

[Raiders_Pat]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

Aaaaaand that's about the point I stopped reading

You should have as it gets better. It cited his problem being a player who is no longer in the NRL. I can't speak for everybody but once finals come around I don't see Konrad Hurrell posing much threat.

I don’t mean to offend you fellas who have a serious man-crush on Croker - it’s just I prefer a centre who is.... better.

Croker is one of the top centres in the NRL. We've already got one guy who is considered the best centre by many experts in the game in Leilua... I think you may need some more realistic expectations if you prefer a centre better than Croker in our team. We're not the Roosters... it would be ridiculous for us to have two top 5 centres in the one team.

[Raiders_Pat]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

Aaaaaand that's about the point I stopped reading

X2

Wasn’t Croker matching up against a current QLD Origin centre as recently as Saturday? I’d argue Croker caused more defensive headaches for Gagai than the other way around.

Before I make this point, I should state I'm of the view that Croker is good enough for Origin. If Mitchell were injured then Croker would be my first left centre pick for NSW. Not so sure about right centre though.

But just off the back of your point re: headache causing - my impression watching the game was that our left edge and Bunnies' right edge were both giving up a considerable amount of metres in the middle of the field. It seemed like there was a lot less movement (re: field position) on the side of the field where the Bunnies left edge and our right edge were playing as compared to the other side (Croker's side). I don't know if one was causing the other more headaches.

Although all of this probably has less to do with individual defensive issues and more to do with the teams being better in attack down those respective sides of the field.

[zim]

If you're keep Croker out of your origin team by comparing origin centres where does him giving Roberts a bath for his whole career fit in? He's done similar to Peachy and Walker.
I don't think he'll be picked but he'd do fine if he was.

[greeneyed]

Fittler won't pick a Raider.

You reckon?

I can feel the hate coming out of Brandy's every pore but I never picked up a big anti-Raider side from Freddy. He struck me as more pragmatic. If we'd beat Rooters and Souffs I have no doubt there'd be a Raider in his squad.

Mind you by losing the two big games vs top sides we haven't any right for players to be demanding selection for NSW. Our standouts have been Papa, CNK and Bateman. Others might have had good games or good years but nothing better than others in the comp are having my a huge margin.

Jack is the only one I see mounting a very strong case but that's also a tactical what kind of bench he wants.

It has nothing to do with hating the Raiders. I just listened carefully to what he said on The Sunday Footy Show... and in response to a question about Croker and Cotric... he ummed and ahhed a bit and then said he thinks the Raiders' defence is suspect on the edges. Will watch closely etc... but he's already decided, was my take.

[Raiders_Pat]

If you're keep Croker out of your origin team by comparing origin centres where does him giving Roberts a bath for his whole career fit in? He's done similar to Peachy and Walker.
I don't think he'll be picked but he'd do fine if he was.

Who are you talking to?

[Raiders_Pat]

James Roberts making the Origin team last year to me is Fittler's worst Origin selection so far. The fact that he's polling in third place for that Origin team list on the NRL website shows how little the average NRL fan actually knows about the game (the majority of fans must only be watching their own teams play or something).

Not only has he been terribly out of form this year and can't even make a struggling Broncos side, but he should have never been picked in the first place. He was in hot form when he was selected but he has always been an incredibly one dimensional player with dodgy defence. His speed is his greatest asset by far and the rest of his skills are bog average compared to other players in his position. He's the type of player only great coaches like Bennett can coach to perform at a consistent level each week.

In what world is it acceptable for a guy in his shoes to retain his spot?

[Raiders_Pat]

And to add to that - how can Fitter not select one of our guys on the basis that we aren't good enough defensively on our edges while he has selected players like James Roberts on an edge in the past? He's full of **** if that's his reasoning... we are one of the best defensive teams in the league looking at the stats.

[Woodgers]

I don’t think Fittler hates the Raiders at all and I know I’m in a minority but I think he’s got more footy smarts than most pundits in the game but poor articulation. I think he’s less likely to pick a Raider because he’s one of the most Sydney centric people in the game. Imagine the volume of NSWRL people giving him advice on their favourites.

I will always love watching Origin and support NSW but from a purely selfish point of view I’m not fussed about Raiders players making it. I recognise the mis-justice of our players not being selected over worse players but while we are where we are I see Origin as an opportunity for the Raiders to pick up points and confidence and F&A against weakened teams. Those above us will be weakened significantly. Origin will be there every year but opportunities like this year for the Raiders won’t be.

[Woodgers]

Agree on James Roberts, Pat.

[Raiders_Pat]

I don’t think Fittler hates the Raiders at all and I know I’m in a minority but I think he’s got more footy smarts than most pundits in the game but poor articulation. I think he’s less likely to pick a Raider because he’s one of the most Sydney centric people in the game. Imagine the volume of NSWRL people giving him advice on their favourites.

I will always love watching Origin and support NSW but from a purely selfish point of view I’m not fussed about Raiders players making it. I recognise the mis-justice of our players not being selected over worse players but while we are where we are I see Origin as an opportunity for the Raiders to pick up points and confidence and F&A against weakened teams. Those above us will be weakened significantly. Origin will be there every year but opportunities like this year for the Raiders won’t be.

Agree 100%

[BadnMean]

It has nothing to do with hating the Raiders. I just listened carefully to what he said on The Sunday Footy Show... and in response to a question about Croker and Cotric... he ummed and ahhed a bit and then said he thinks the Raiders' defence is suspect on the edges. Will watch closely etc... but he's already decided, was my take.

fair enough.

[Hazza]

Listening to Brad Fittler on The Sunday Footy Show, no Raiders are being picked. Says the Raiders defence around the edges is suspect.


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Good. We need them for rd 12.

[Coastalraider]

Fittler won't pick a Raider.

You reckon?

I can feel the hate coming out of Brandy's every pore but I never picked up a big anti-Raider side from Freddy. He struck me as more pragmatic. If we'd beat Rooters and Souffs I have no doubt there'd be a Raider in his squad.

Mind you by losing the two big games vs top sides we haven't any right for players to be demanding selection for NSW. Our standouts have been Papa, CNK and Bateman. Others might have had good games or good years but nothing better than others in the comp are having my a huge margin.

Jack is the only one I see mounting a very strong case but that's also a tactical what kind of bench he wants.

It has nothing to do with hating the Raiders. I just listened carefully to what he said on The Sunday Footy Show... and in response to a question about Croker and Cotric... he ummed and ahhed a bit and then said he thinks the Raiders' defence is suspect on the edges. Will watch closely etc... but he's already decided, was my take.

I heard him on TripleM and when’s sked about Fargo he said ‘he played well wary on, his games after injury were OK, but he’s up against another guys I’ve coached in Cotric so...’ it sounded like whichever position he had in mind for Fergo,Cotric already had. Not sure if he was thinking centre or wing though.

[BadnMean]

Sounds like we're reading tea leaves.

Freddy got the culture pretty right last time. If he decides Fergo is a better bet than Cotric to keep that going (when talent is on par and age favours Cotric) then Freddy is as dumb as he sounds (prepared to entertain the current argument that he is not dumb, just inarticulate on camera or on the spot).

[TongueFTW]

Fittler set to lock in Blues team before final auditions

Brad Fittler and his Blues brains trust are expected to lock in their first Origin team as early as Wednesday, meaning this weekend's final auditions become all but redundant. Canberra's Jack Wighton is firming but for a bench spot, not centre.

Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/fittle ... 51p9s.html

Mentions Wighton firming for a bench spot. I think he is, by some margin, the best for for that position.

[Ruben Daley]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

Aaaaaand that's about the point I stopped reading

X2

Wasn’t Croker matching up against a current QLD Origin centre as recently as Saturday? I’d argue Croker caused more defensive headaches for Gagai than the other way around.

Before I make this point, I should state I'm of the view that Croker is good enough for Origin. If Mitchell were injured then Croker would be my first left centre pick for NSW. Not so sure about right centre though.

But just off the back of your point re: headache causing - my impression watching the game was that our left edge and Bunnies' right edge were both giving up a considerable amount of metres in the middle of the field. It seemed like there was a lot less movement (re: field position) on the side of the field where the Bunnies left edge and our right edge were playing as compared to the other side (Croker's side). I don't know if one was causing the other more headaches.

Although all of this probably has less to do with individual defensive issues and more to do with the teams being better in attack down those respective sides of the field.

Yeah, I think both teams favoured that side. Hodgo almost went exclusively left in the clutch.

What I meant was that Croker played the exact guy he’d most likely line up against in Origin and was at worst equal to him.

I’ve always thought Toots’ problem was that a lot of the things he does best are hard to measure and, for some people, even notice. This means he doesn’t get accurate credit for how good he is, which is exacerbated because he’s not physically imposing.

[Billy Walker]

I wouldn’t pick Croker - he isn’t near good enough to play SOO.

He seems a nice fella and all but I truly don’t rate him much as a footballer. To be fair I acknowledge he’s having a good season but he’s my biggest worry come finals time - Konrad Hurrell has showed he can’t stop a hard running big centre.

I predict his defence will cost us a big game this year but it won’t be his fault, it’s always others that should have shuffled or covered or something.

Aaaaaand that's about the point I stopped reading

X2

Wasn’t Croker matching up against a current QLD Origin centre as recently as Saturday? I’d argue Croker caused more defensive headaches for Gagai than the other way around.

Before I make this point, I should state I'm of the view that Croker is good enough for Origin. If Mitchell were injured then Croker would be my first left centre pick for NSW. Not so sure about right centre though.

But just off the back of your point re: headache causing - my impression watching the game was that our left edge and Bunnies' right edge were both giving up a considerable amount of metres in the middle of the field. It seemed like there was a lot less movement (re: field position) on the side of the field where the Bunnies left edge and our right edge were playing as compared to the other side (Croker's side). I don't know if one was causing the other more headaches.

Although all of this probably has less to do with individual defensive issues and more to do with the teams being better in attack down those respective sides of the field.

Yeah, I think both teams favoured that side. Hodgo almost went exclusively left in the clutch.

What I meant was that Croker played the exact guy he’d most likely line up against in Origin and was at worst equal to him.

I’ve always thought Toots’ problem was that a lot of the things he does best are hard to measure and, for some people, even notice. This means he doesn’t get accurate credit for how good he is, which is exacerbated because he’s not physically imposing.

I agree - he isn’t physically imposing and it is hard to see what he does best. But beyond that I’m sure he is lovely guy.

[Botman]

Gagai has snakes for shoulders. I dont think he's any better than Croker as a footballer.