Are we premiership contenders?
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- gangrenous
- Laurie Daley
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
To be fair to Sezer, I don’t think Hodgson adjusted to the line speed/offside defence.
Sezer got at least 4 hospital passes by my count. He was really restricted in his time to set plays today. He’s not a strong enough player to counter that.
Sezer got at least 4 hospital passes by my count. He was really restricted in his time to set plays today. He’s not a strong enough player to counter that.
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
If we dont get drawn in the niggle, we'll win the league.
If we do get drawn into it, we open ourselves up to get beat by these teams.
That's how it is imo. It's all in our hands.
If we do get drawn into it, we open ourselves up to get beat by these teams.
That's how it is imo. It's all in our hands.
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- John Ferguson
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Yep, Hodgo had an average game, some times he just overplayed his hand, and others he was crap, a few good ones toogangrenous wrote:To be fair to Sezer, I don’t think Hodgson adjusted to the line speed/offside defence.
Sezer got at least 4 hospital passes by my count. He was really restricted in his time to set plays today. He’s not a strong enough player to counter that.
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
No actually it isn't at all like thatBilly Walker wrote: ↑August 25, 2019, 8:03 pmThat’s like saying only if we win every finals match. Do you think we will find a way to fix the discipline? I think we will. It will start with BJ copping a suspension and Cotric finding form at centre.
I see huge upside in the style of football we play, eg the second half against the storm. But we need to learn to not wet the bed when teams like manly niggle us
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
I don't see how you don't get drawn into it, tbh. If you want to win this thing, it's a must.PigRickman wrote: ↑August 25, 2019, 8:14 pm If we dont get drawn in the niggle, we'll win the league.
If we do get drawn into it, we open ourselves up to get beat by these teams.
That's how it is imo. It's all in our hands.
Call it gamesmanship if you will, but the best teams seemingly do it the best. We got outsmarted today. Let's not fool ourselves either though - we're pretty niggly ourselves.
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
100000% true.afgtnk wrote: ↑August 25, 2019, 8:18 pmI don't see how you don't get drawn into it, tbh. If you want to win this thing, it's a must.PigRickman wrote: ↑August 25, 2019, 8:14 pm If we dont get drawn in the niggle, we'll win the league.
If we do get drawn into it, we open ourselves up to get beat by these teams.
That's how it is imo. It's all in our hands.
Call it gamesmanship if you will, but the best teams seemingly do it the best. We got outsmarted today. Let's not fool ourselves either though - we're pretty niggly ourselves.
I think we've got some loose cannons who dont niggle with control though. That's the difference.
Wighton went awfully close to being baited into a sin bin today, it was only Croker stepping in that saved him
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- Laurie Daley
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
I honestly think we come away from that game much better off than Manly. We copped some dud calls and walk away with a clear idea of what we need to fix - it’s all stuff we can control. Manly got some golden calls, only just got over the line and possibly lose 2 key players for the season.
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Until today I thought we could definitely win the comp. Now I'm not so sure. That wasn't a good loss today, Manly we're there to be beaten and we weren't good enough. We just can't win big games at home, if we go make a prelim I actually hope it's away from home. Still a long long way behind the Roosters.
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Yet were still good enough to beat us without those 2 for 50 minsBilly Walker wrote: ↑August 25, 2019, 8:23 pm I honestly think we come away from that game much better off than Manly. We copped some dud calls and walk away with a clear idea of what we need to fix - it’s all stuff we can control. Manly got some golden calls, only just got over the line and possibly lose 2 key players for the season.
- Northern Raider
- Mal Meninga
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
I'm a bit peeved we didn't lock up out top 4 spot but still comfortable where we're at. Manly got lucky today. 2 tries off the back of highly dubious calls. Other than that they couldn't breach our line.
Roosters are still the team to beat but I'm confident we can beat any of the other finals teams.
Roosters are still the team to beat but I'm confident we can beat any of the other finals teams.
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
The thing that concerns me is that the Raiders have now faced top four competition six or more times (please feel free to correct me, it is off the top of my head) and have won just once. The scores might have been close... but genuine contenders scrap their way to a win more often than that. Being "close" isn't good enough.
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- John Ferguson
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Raiders of old!!! I don’t know y Ricky didn’t go after the refs after the offside try in his press conference!!
If we don’t win it this year then we will never win anything, all these players aren’t getting younger!! Make the most of the opportunity..... Sea eagles own Stuart and the faders!
If we don’t win it this year then we will never win anything, all these players aren’t getting younger!! Make the most of the opportunity..... Sea eagles own Stuart and the faders!
"Learn to appreciate what you have, before time makes you appreciate what you had"!! RAIDERSTILLIDIE!!
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
The coach knows it is counterproductive to attack the referees in public forums and the media. It is great he's taking this position this year. It is counterproductive as it sends the message to the team that they have an "excuse" in the poor refereeing. It is counterproductive as it makes no difference in terms of better treatment... in fact, it is likely to produce less favourable treatment going forward. Not because the referees would deliberately do something untoward later... simply because it is in their unconscious mind.
- Brew
- Steve Walters
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
It’s why I believe we are a genuine halfback away from challenging for a Premiership. That’s the difference.greeneyed wrote:The thing that concerns me is that the Raiders have now faced top four competition six or more times (please feel free to correct me, it is off the top of my head) and have won just once. The scores might have been close... but genuine contenders scrap their way to a win more often than that. Being "close" isn't good enough.
The amount of people who tell me we are winning it this year and the amount of articles in the media is making me sick.
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- John Ferguson
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
I agree. If we can make it to the Preliminary finals this year I will be a happy man. Sets us up nicely for a 2020 challenge with G.Williams coming into the side.Brew wrote:It’s why I believe we are a genuine halfback away from challenging for a Premiership. That’s the difference.greeneyed wrote:The thing that concerns me is that the Raiders have now faced top four competition six or more times (please feel free to correct me, it is off the top of my head) and have won just once. The scores might have been close... but genuine contenders scrap their way to a win more often than that. Being "close" isn't good enough.
The amount of people who tell me we are winning it this year and the amount of articles in the media is making me sick.
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- Northern Raider
- Mal Meninga
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
You mean like we did last week? It's about winning these games when it matters i.e. in the finals. If you're in the contest you can win the game. We've been right in the contest against all opponents this year.greeneyed wrote: ↑August 25, 2019, 11:51 pm The thing that concerns me is that the Raiders have now faced top four competition six or more times (please feel free to correct me, it is off the top of my head) and have won just once. The scores might have been close... but genuine contenders scrap their way to a win more often than that. Being "close" isn't good enough.
As it stands I'd rather finish 4th and play Storm in Week 1. Think we're better chance of knocking them off than Rorters.
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- Mickey_Raider
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Well, we have played all the top sides and gone 1/3 over the last couple weeks.
We seem to have a real issue beating good sides at home in front of big crowds when expectations are high.
The positive is that (not that it would
Have been justified) there will absolutely be no complacency heading into the finals.
It’s all out on the table now. We are still well positioned for a title tilt and we won’t be guilty of peaking too early or anything like that.
It really is worth looking back to 2016 when the sharks lost 3 in a row to finish the rs before striking gold in the finals.
There is no reason why we can’t do the same. We just need to secure our top 4 spot over the next couple weeks and then go all out to beat roosters or storm to secure a home prelim.
We seem to have a real issue beating good sides at home in front of big crowds when expectations are high.
The positive is that (not that it would
Have been justified) there will absolutely be no complacency heading into the finals.
It’s all out on the table now. We are still well positioned for a title tilt and we won’t be guilty of peaking too early or anything like that.
It really is worth looking back to 2016 when the sharks lost 3 in a row to finish the rs before striking gold in the finals.
There is no reason why we can’t do the same. We just need to secure our top 4 spot over the next couple weeks and then go all out to beat roosters or storm to secure a home prelim.
Up The Milk
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- Brett Mullins
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
As annoyed and agitated by the result as I am now, I actually think this loss is great for us.
It is a clear reminder to the team not to get ahead of themselves.
More importantly though, it sets up the finals, and particularly games against other contenders, including the Roosters and Manly, as games we have to step up for.
We are going to beat the Roosters and Manly eventually, and since we have not done it this season yet, we will do it in the finals. If not in week 1, then in the GF and if not in week 2/3 then in the prelim.
It is a clear reminder to the team not to get ahead of themselves.
More importantly though, it sets up the finals, and particularly games against other contenders, including the Roosters and Manly, as games we have to step up for.
We are going to beat the Roosters and Manly eventually, and since we have not done it this season yet, we will do it in the finals. If not in week 1, then in the GF and if not in week 2/3 then in the prelim.
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Well I hope you are right woppa and Mickey because no one is going to give us a chance against the top 4 sides now with our overall record against them and our poor record in big games, so that takes the pressure off I guess. Our inability to play in big games at home is also deeply worrying.
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Bump.
It looks like the top 8 is more or less decided so I pose this question to you all once again.
From the top 4 at the moment the vibe seems to be that the Panthers are the front-runners, the Storm are a perennial contender, and the Eels and Roosters may have peaked early.
Bunnies have spent large parts of the season being ordinary, and ditto the Sharks. The Knights also seem to have hit their best form much earlier in the season. I am not sure that the GF winner will come out of any of these teams, although you can never rule out a dark horse making a charge from outside the 4.
There also seems to be somewhat of a consensus that the only team outside of the 4 that may have a proper chance is us. We have spent much of the season in ordinary form, but all of a sudden we are equal 4th on the home stretch, we finally managed to rack up a score and we have some very winnable games to come.
So...are we premiership contenders?
It looks like the top 8 is more or less decided so I pose this question to you all once again.
From the top 4 at the moment the vibe seems to be that the Panthers are the front-runners, the Storm are a perennial contender, and the Eels and Roosters may have peaked early.
Bunnies have spent large parts of the season being ordinary, and ditto the Sharks. The Knights also seem to have hit their best form much earlier in the season. I am not sure that the GF winner will come out of any of these teams, although you can never rule out a dark horse making a charge from outside the 4.
There also seems to be somewhat of a consensus that the only team outside of the 4 that may have a proper chance is us. We have spent much of the season in ordinary form, but all of a sudden we are equal 4th on the home stretch, we finally managed to rack up a score and we have some very winnable games to come.
So...are we premiership contenders?
Up The Milk
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
In my opinion, probably not.
Our record against many of the top sides is again poor, although we have beaten Storm and Roosters and drew with Parra before losing in golden point. Our record last year against the fellow top six sides was also poor, winning just 2 from 9 and it didn't stop us from playing three great finals.
The Roosters losing on the weekend and getting a few injuries does give us some hope of making top four. We saw last year that if you make top 4, you are one win away from being in the best position you can possibly be in - that is a home preliminary final. Whether you win 24 games (in a normal season - 20 this year) or 15 games, if you make top 4 and win the first final, you get a home prelim and the best possible chance of winning the premiership. At that point everything that has happened in the season to that point is irrelevant.
If Josh Hodgson was not out for the season my opinion might be different, as we have reasonably covered the forwards and will get Guler back and possibly Soliola and probably less likely Horsburgh. I just think when the whips are cracking we are on the level below.
Happy to be proved wrong however.
Our record against many of the top sides is again poor, although we have beaten Storm and Roosters and drew with Parra before losing in golden point. Our record last year against the fellow top six sides was also poor, winning just 2 from 9 and it didn't stop us from playing three great finals.
The Roosters losing on the weekend and getting a few injuries does give us some hope of making top four. We saw last year that if you make top 4, you are one win away from being in the best position you can possibly be in - that is a home preliminary final. Whether you win 24 games (in a normal season - 20 this year) or 15 games, if you make top 4 and win the first final, you get a home prelim and the best possible chance of winning the premiership. At that point everything that has happened in the season to that point is irrelevant.
If Josh Hodgson was not out for the season my opinion might be different, as we have reasonably covered the forwards and will get Guler back and possibly Soliola and probably less likely Horsburgh. I just think when the whips are cracking we are on the level below.
Happy to be proved wrong however.
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- Clinton Schifcofske
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
To right we are! Key will be health over the next few months. Hopefully, we have had our fair share of injuries and the Panthers are yet to have really any. Hopefully with a little bit of travel for them and a little less for us this all changes. It might be 1990 all over again!
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
im with you, I don't think we're good enough from 9.Bay53 wrote:In my opinion, probably not.
Our record against many of the top sides is again poor, although we have beaten Storm and Roosters and drew with Parra before losing in golden point. Our record last year against the fellow top six sides was also poor, winning just 2 from 9 and it didn't stop us from playing three great finals.
The Roosters losing on the weekend and getting a few injuries does give us some hope of making top four. We saw last year that if you make top 4, you are one win away from being in the best position you can possibly be in - that is a home preliminary final. Whether you win 24 games (in a normal season - 20 this year) or 15 games, if you make top 4 and win the first final, you get a home prelim and the best possible chance of winning the premiership. At that point everything that has happened in the season to that point is irrelevant.
If Josh Hodgson was not out for the season my opinion might be different, as we have reasonably covered the forwards and will get Guler back and possibly Soliola and probably less likely Horsburgh. I just think when the whips are cracking we are on the level below.
Happy to be proved wrong however.
Mind you if Penrith and parra lose a few crucial troops like we have it's game on.
In our favour is troops returning, we've been there last year we know what we need to do, Parra and Penrith haven't been deep yet.
Storm I'm unsure of at the highest level, they play to a high standard week in week out as they always have but do they have that higher gear?
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- Andymachine
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
I think we are potentially, but not the way we're currently playing. Then again, that applies to most teams in the comp who could win it at their best. There is enough in this team to compete but we need to show a bit more control in attack and I still want to see more intensity in defence. We only muscled up for 1 set against the Broncos with about 5 mins to go and copped a dubious 6 again call but still, 1 set of real intensity! Our forwards lack punch outside of Papalii, although CHN was very good yesterday and he and Bateman have definitely helped that go forward. I think Guler returning will be a big inclusion and I'll feel better about the pack with him in and I'd like to see Tapine or CHN start in the backrow once Guler returns to the bench. I like Sutton's defence but not his dropsies or his tendency to get absolutely smashed a couple of times per game so he makes way.
We'll need Wighton to hit top form again at the right time and reign in the errors. We'll need GW to target Croker with some kicks and Croker to start slipping those flick passes again. One on the weekend was a beauty but he gets into moods sometimes where he starts slipping those on the regular and unleashing his inner Gidley is one of the ways he can give us more value in general play. Cotric is our most dangerous outside back and he needs to keep up his involvement.We're a better team if he's running the ball 20 times a game and taking a few off CNK. I do wonder whether Cotric and Rapana should switch sides again. That try that Rapa missed on the left is one that I see Cotric scoring with his bump and spin move and Rapa is a great right winger who will score anything on that side if given half a chance. If we're going to win a comp, we need to take those chances.
We'll need Wighton to hit top form again at the right time and reign in the errors. We'll need GW to target Croker with some kicks and Croker to start slipping those flick passes again. One on the weekend was a beauty but he gets into moods sometimes where he starts slipping those on the regular and unleashing his inner Gidley is one of the ways he can give us more value in general play. Cotric is our most dangerous outside back and he needs to keep up his involvement.We're a better team if he's running the ball 20 times a game and taking a few off CNK. I do wonder whether Cotric and Rapana should switch sides again. That try that Rapa missed on the left is one that I see Cotric scoring with his bump and spin move and Rapa is a great right winger who will score anything on that side if given half a chance. If we're going to win a comp, we need to take those chances.
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
We'll know in a month.
By then we'll see if we have built enough form to start putting on points enough to kick clear in a game, should the opportunity arise.- premiership teams can kill you in 10 hot minutes if you're off/they're on.
By then we'll see if we can deal with potentially tricky or in form/ hot and cold lower ranked teams like Titans and St George. - we'll need to handle being favourites and ruthless to be a premiership team.
By then we'll have seen if Roosters can handle adversity and SBW hype as well as we have. -it's pretty much a benchmark game for both teams, which has gone backward and which has gone forward. With the top 4 likely on the line as well, it's huge. I get the feeling Roosters will be needing Messiah-Bill Williams by then and the media + refs will be all over his nuts/the narrative.
By then we'll see if we have the sort of consistency needed. Big month.
By then we'll see if we have built enough form to start putting on points enough to kick clear in a game, should the opportunity arise.- premiership teams can kill you in 10 hot minutes if you're off/they're on.
By then we'll see if we can deal with potentially tricky or in form/ hot and cold lower ranked teams like Titans and St George. - we'll need to handle being favourites and ruthless to be a premiership team.
By then we'll have seen if Roosters can handle adversity and SBW hype as well as we have. -it's pretty much a benchmark game for both teams, which has gone backward and which has gone forward. With the top 4 likely on the line as well, it's huge. I get the feeling Roosters will be needing Messiah-Bill Williams by then and the media + refs will be all over his nuts/the narrative.
By then we'll see if we have the sort of consistency needed. Big month.
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Spot on about the backs. GWilly kick in either direction is excellent though. Bateman in for the short one while the defence spreads wide to worry about the winger and the centre spreads out to block is going to provide some real value too.Andymachine wrote: ↑August 17, 2020, 10:06 am
We'll need Wighton to hit top form again at the right time and reign in the errors. We'll need GW to target Croker with some kicks and Croker to start slipping those flick passes again. One on the weekend was a beauty but he gets into moods sometimes where he starts slipping those on the regular and unleashing his inner Gidley is one of the ways he can give us more value in general play. Cotric is our most dangerous outside back and he needs to keep up his involvement.We're a better team if he's running the ball 20 times a game and taking a few off CNK. I do wonder whether Cotric and Rapana should switch sides again. That try that Rapa missed on the left is one that I see Cotric scoring with his bump and spin move and Rapa is a great right winger who will score anything on that side if given half a chance. If we're going to win a comp, we need to take those chances.
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- Dean Lance
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
I think it's silly to even talk about this kind of stuff at the moment.
Let's concentrate on each game until the finals; work on building momentum into the finals and maximising our ladder position, thus giving us the best shot to make an impact.
Playing well, with momentum at the right time of the year combined with being healthy in key positions is the biggest factor determining whether we can beat any team on a certain day.
Just like last year, if we are playing our style and playing it well come finals we can beat any team. Melbourne in Melbourne Semi Final was a prime example of this.
Bateman's interview over the weekend where he spoke of the importance of Hodgo should not be underestimated. Whether he was playing well or not, all our systems and leadership ran through him. The on-the-run adjustment is building and we just have to try and peak come finals. If we do, yes we contend but shouldn't even be thinking that far ahead yet.
Let's concentrate on each game until the finals; work on building momentum into the finals and maximising our ladder position, thus giving us the best shot to make an impact.
Playing well, with momentum at the right time of the year combined with being healthy in key positions is the biggest factor determining whether we can beat any team on a certain day.
Just like last year, if we are playing our style and playing it well come finals we can beat any team. Melbourne in Melbourne Semi Final was a prime example of this.
Bateman's interview over the weekend where he spoke of the importance of Hodgo should not be underestimated. Whether he was playing well or not, all our systems and leadership ran through him. The on-the-run adjustment is building and we just have to try and peak come finals. If we do, yes we contend but shouldn't even be thinking that far ahead yet.
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
In the years gone by losing Hodgo would mean the gate is shut, but the addition of Williams has helped to offset that and allows us to shift the focus of our attack if need be.
Interesting that we're on exactly the same points as last season, but I don't think anyone could claim that we're playing better. A big difference this season is though is the addition of another team up there vying for a minor prem, making winning the comp a bit more difficult. Last season there was only one of the top four that genuinely worried me (Roosters), this season there are three (Panthers, Eels, Roosters).
If we play more expansively and loosen the shackles from some of our creative players then we're a chance, but if we don't, we're not IMO. We have the players available, so it's now on Ricky to put that to best use. The rest we know how to do, we're battle hardened and know how to win when things are tough.
Interesting that we're on exactly the same points as last season, but I don't think anyone could claim that we're playing better. A big difference this season is though is the addition of another team up there vying for a minor prem, making winning the comp a bit more difficult. Last season there was only one of the top four that genuinely worried me (Roosters), this season there are three (Panthers, Eels, Roosters).
If we play more expansively and loosen the shackles from some of our creative players then we're a chance, but if we don't, we're not IMO. We have the players available, so it's now on Ricky to put that to best use. The rest we know how to do, we're battle hardened and know how to win when things are tough.
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Personally, I think we're a little off the pace set by the top teams. Having said that, and with injuries having played a big part in season 2020, not much would have to go wrong for the other guys for us to be in it up to our neck.
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- Mal Meninga
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
It's like our long casualty ward came at the perfect time.
And I believe we could get Emre, Horse and maybe Sia back.
There's over 90 first graders unavailable today, and we've come through our past 6-8 weeks ok.
We are in a good spot, while other clubs are copping what we went through 2 months ago.
Like I said in another thread..our game is good enough and with more returning troops LOOK OUT !!
And I believe we could get Emre, Horse and maybe Sia back.
There's over 90 first graders unavailable today, and we've come through our past 6-8 weeks ok.
We are in a good spot, while other clubs are copping what we went through 2 months ago.
Like I said in another thread..our game is good enough and with more returning troops LOOK OUT !!
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
We're still good enough to be an any given sunday team in the finals. I dont think any objective observer would say it would be a total shock to see the Raiders beat any of the top 4 in the finals... now beating 2-3 of them in a row, in a finals run? That's a little harder to buy.
We'd need to find a way into the top 4 and then i can craft a similar route to last year...
Week 1 against the Panthers... they're a really good team and would be deserved favourites, and maybe we cant hang with them, but id back us in to at least give that game a real shake. And maybe like the Storm last year, we can edge it out... on to a home week 3 game against Parra/Roosters, another tough game but at home, that's winnable
Now you're back in a GF and anything is possible.
So in that respect, yes we're still contenders but we're a bit behind the Storm/Panthers/Eels and pending Keary situation, the Roosters... But we're missing Josh Hodgson as TR said, if those top teams have a key injury at the wrong of year, that's going to bring us right back into it
We'd need to find a way into the top 4 and then i can craft a similar route to last year...
Week 1 against the Panthers... they're a really good team and would be deserved favourites, and maybe we cant hang with them, but id back us in to at least give that game a real shake. And maybe like the Storm last year, we can edge it out... on to a home week 3 game against Parra/Roosters, another tough game but at home, that's winnable
Now you're back in a GF and anything is possible.
So in that respect, yes we're still contenders but we're a bit behind the Storm/Panthers/Eels and pending Keary situation, the Roosters... But we're missing Josh Hodgson as TR said, if those top teams have a key injury at the wrong of year, that's going to bring us right back into it
Re: Are we premiership contenders?
At this stage the front runners are the teams with the least injuries, the Eels and the Panthers. That could easily go badly for them over the next few weeks.
Outside of that the Storm continue to win despite their injury toll but we will see how that stands up to the Eels this weekend.
The Roosters have a shocking injury toll and even though they will get players back at the right time it will be the next few weeks that decides their season. They could easily lose to the Tigers this week and that would make it hard for them to finish top 4 with the run home they have.
We haven't peaked yet which is a good thing and if we can keep enough fit players on the park for the rest of the season we will be in the mix. Our defence keeps us in games where we aren't at our best and that defence will be the most important thing in winning finals games. I think we need to finish 4th to be a genuine threat but I also think that is in our hands.
Outside of that the Storm continue to win despite their injury toll but we will see how that stands up to the Eels this weekend.
The Roosters have a shocking injury toll and even though they will get players back at the right time it will be the next few weeks that decides their season. They could easily lose to the Tigers this week and that would make it hard for them to finish top 4 with the run home they have.
We haven't peaked yet which is a good thing and if we can keep enough fit players on the park for the rest of the season we will be in the mix. Our defence keeps us in games where we aren't at our best and that defence will be the most important thing in winning finals games. I think we need to finish 4th to be a genuine threat but I also think that is in our hands.
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- Jason Croker
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
I agree with this analysis. I don't think we should think about the GF and being a contender - we have no right to - yet, given our ladder position and the way we are playing. Look at the first halves against Cowboys, Penrith and Brisbane. Not even top 8 quality shown. First step is to aim for top 4, and push Roosters out. Who knows how the 6 rounds will play out - Roosters may miss top 4, Storm may be no 1 - so play them at a neutral venue in Sunshine Coast, Parra may still have the yips, Penrith may fade. Penrith and Parra have been v fortunate with no major injuries. But I didn't think we would get into the GF in 1989 but we went on a run. The important match that year in 1989 was beating Canterbury, the previous holders at the WACA in Perth. In 2016 (we didn't make it past prelim) - the important matches were beating Cronulla at Shark Park followed up by beating Storm at GIO. Then we went on a run. Last years' was the Storm victory at AAMI coming back from 18-0 down plus 2 people sent to sin bin. And we were in the top 4 for most of the year. If we beat Roosters then I will have more confidence. It will be tough though. But if we do, I'm confident we will remain undefeated for the rest of the games. This year we need more creativity / unpredictability to compensate for the loss of Hodgson. We can do it with good coachingBotman wrote: ↑August 17, 2020, 1:02 pm We're still good enough to be an any given sunday team in the finals. I dont think any objective observer would say it would be a total shock to see the Raiders beat any of the top 4 in the finals... now beating 2-3 of them in a row, in a finals run? That's a little harder to buy.
We'd need to find a way into the top 4 and then i can craft a similar route to last year...
Week 1 against the Panthers... they're a really good team and would be deserved favourites, and maybe we cant hang with them, but id back us in to at least give that game a real shake. And maybe like the Storm last year, we can edge it out... on to a home week 3 game against Parra/Roosters, another tough game but at home, that's winnable
Now you're back in a GF and anything is possible.
So in that respect, yes we're still contenders but we're a bit behind the Storm/Panthers/Eels and pending Keary situation, the Roosters... But we're missing Josh Hodgson as TR said, if those top teams have a key injury at the wrong of year, that's going to bring us right back into it
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- Jason Croker
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
One more thing - no one is tipping us this year. Read Soward's power rankings - although he has us at no 4, he doubts whether we can make a deep run into the finals. I noticed he always tips against us every week except last week - going for teams such as the Cowboys and Souths in recent weeks. Gus "Fat Toad" Gould only gives us 5% chance. Good as when he tips us the result is the reverse. Have a look at where he's placed in the tipping competition. And he tipped the Warriors of not winning more than 4 games this year ! We have now drifted out to $13 despite winning on the weekend. As discussed in another post, we play well this way without the burden of being one of the favourites. The Roosters are still the darlings, and Penrith the Cinderella story. Storm are the Storm but like in previous years, have they really got another level? I know we have and we haven't played our best yet. Hope Ricky and the team prove them wrong.
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- Jason Croker
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Re: Are we premiership contenders?
Completely agree with these views as wellOld School Green wrote: ↑August 17, 2020, 11:43 am I think it's silly to even talk about this kind of stuff at the moment.
Let's concentrate on each game until the finals; work on building momentum into the finals and maximising our ladder position, thus giving us the best shot to make an impact.
Playing well, with momentum at the right time of the year combined with being healthy in key positions is the biggest factor determining whether we can beat any team on a certain day.
Just like last year, if we are playing our style and playing it well come finals we can beat any team. Melbourne in Melbourne Semi Final was a prime example of this.
Bateman's interview over the weekend where he spoke of the importance of Hodgo should not be underestimated. Whether he was playing well or not, all our systems and leadership ran through him. The on-the-run adjustment is building and we just have to try and peak come finals. If we do, yes we contend but shouldn't even be thinking that far ahead yet.