Top fives 2019

[greeneyed]

As we count down to the end of 2019, we will again be counting down the top five Canberra Raiders forwards, backs, players, wins and more!

Today... the Canberra Raiders top five forwards of 2019...

Do you agree? What's your 5 to 1?

Number 5



Sia Soliola

Sia Soliola is often referred to as the spiritual leader of the Canberra Raiders, such is his influence at Raiders HQ. He is now 33 years of age... and father time must catch up with him at some stage. But there was not much sign of that in 2019. Read more

Number 4



Josh Hodgson

Josh Hodgson spent half of the 2018 season on the sidelines, after suffering an ACL injury in the 2017 World Cup semi final between England and Tonga. It had a major impact on the Canberra Raiders 2018 campaign. It is no coincidence that the Green Machine were premiership challengers in 2020, with a fit Josh Hodgson available for the bulk of the season. Read more

Number 3



Elliott Whitehead

"I believe Elliott is very much underrated in terms of the contribution of his play," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says. "Players are all different in terms of contribution. Everyone sees what Elliott does in terms of his flashes of brilliance with ball play but what’s understated is the amount of work he gets through in other areas of his game. He never quits in terms of his defensive efforts and he was instrumental in terms of our season. There’s no doubt Elliott is now up there with the best back rowers in the world." Read more

Number 2



John Bateman

John Bateman joined the Canberra Raiders from the Wigan Warriors in 2019, and made an instant impact on the National Rugby League. He was a high profile recruit, but the extent of his impact - on the Canberra Raiders and the competition - still surprised many. He ended the year with a Grand Final appearance and a deserved Dally M Second Rower of the Year award. He was the choice of most commentators and fans as the "buy of the season". Read more

Number 1



Josh Papalii

In 2018, Josh Papalii shifted from the edge to the middle and made the lock position his own. Despite being dropped to reserve grade early in the year, he was named Meninga Medalist and Fans' Choice Player of the Year - for the second time. He made another shift in 2019, to prop - part of Ricky Stuart's plan to make his forward pack more mobile. And at season's end, he was named Meninga Medalist and Fans' Choice Player of the Year, for the third time. Read more

[greeneyed]

Today... we're counting down the top five backs of 2019...

Do you agree? What's your 5 to 1?

Number 5



Jordan Rapana

Jordan Rapana has played 113 games for the Green Machine - and has now joined a Japanese rugby union team. He and Joey Leilua - Leipana - will go down in history as one of Canberra's most lethal centre-wing partnerships. This year, in his 100th Raiders game against the Tigers, Rapana did what he does best - scoring the Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Try of the Year. He's made a wonderful contribution to the club. Read more

Number 4



Nick Cotric

Nick Cotric played his third season in the NRL in 2019. He was Canberra Raiders Rookie of the Year in 2017 - and the Dally M Rookie of the Year and joint winner of the Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Award. This year, he made his debut for New South Wales and Australia. Yet his is still only 20 years old. He has some extraordinary achievements on his record, already. Read more

Number 3



Jarrod Croker

2019... and the records kept tumbling for Canberra Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker. He scored his 120th try against the Sharks in Canberra, equalling Jason Croker's record. He broke the record in Wollongong against the Dragons in Round 17... and that night became the youngest player ever in the NRL to score 1900 points. He went on to play his 250th game in green in Round 21 against the Roosters - the second youngest NRL player to do so. And he is now the second most capped Raider of all time. Read more

Number 2



Jack Wighton

2018 was not the best of years for Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton. That had nothing to do with how he performed on field, rather off field indiscretions that saw him found guilty of assault and suspended by the NRL for the final 10 weeks of the competition. 2019 saw him turn that right around, successfully making the transition from fullback to five eighth, making his debut for the Blues and the Kangaroos and winning the Clive Churchill Medal, the best on the ground in the Grand Final. Read more

Number 1



Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

In 2019, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was a revelation. He joined the club just days before the Raiders started playing their trial matches for 2019. But no-one would have expected he would finish 2019 as one of the top fullbacks in the NRL, voted the Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Best Back, with a Grand Final appearance and a Kiwis jersey to his name. Read more

[The Nickman]

Who’s coming up with these rankings, Ferg?

[greeneyed]

They are the order produced for "2019 in review", which is my player ratings from Round 1 to the Grand Final, plus a weighting for contribution to the season.

[The Nickman]

Ahhh right, so they’re the top 5 “Fergie’s Choice” in each category?

Excellent. As you were

[greeneyed]

If you have a different view, tell us your 5 to 1.

[The Nickman]

No, I think your write ups are very good, I just wasn’t sure where these rankings were coming from.

[BJ]

BJ Moles Top 5 Worst pieces of Rugby League Journalism 2019.

Randomly pick 5 articles by Danny Weidler that contain something about the Raiders and you have your winning list.

Job done!

[Coastalraider]

This is actually really interesting GE - when you look at the season as a whole you might come up with a different order for the top 5s, but it really does show how often players like CNK turned up to play that they received more game points than any other back.

[greeneyed]

CNK and Wighton were very close. Could have easily flipped the other way IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[greeneyed]

By the way... of someone wanted to set up some polls top five forwards and backs... maybe players... with five voting options... that could be interesting too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The Nickman]

By the way... of someone wanted to set up some polls top five forwards and backs... maybe players... with five voting options... that could be interesting too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I nominate Botman

Seems to know a fair bit about how polls should be run

[Botman]

If i did polls, i'd probably just call them at a convenient time so its the results i want
thats how it works around here

[greeneyed]

Today, we're counting down the Canberra Raiders top five wins of 2019...

Number 5



Round 13 2019: Canberra Raiders 28 - Wests Tigers 0. The Canberra Raiders produced an outstanding performance on their first visit to the new Western Sydney Stadium. They were tested by injury and suspension, by Origin players forced to back up, 48 hours after they played last. Four regular first graders were unavailable - Josh Hodgson, Joey Leilua, Corey Horsburgh and Hudson Young. Three Origin players backed up. Josh Papalii was one of Queensland's leading forwards, yet he produced again, off the bench instead of in his usual starting role. Jack Wighton was seeking redemption after the Blues' loss, while Nick Cotric was under an injury cloud. They both delivered.

Read more: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33169&start=315#p1667246

Number 4



Round 24 2019: Canberra Raiders 15 - Cronulla Sharks 14. It was the most extraordinary of golden point victories for the Canberra Raiders in a cauldron. It was a sell out crowd at Cronulla, the final home game ever for the Sharks' captain Paul Gallen, and a match the Sharks had to win to secure a finals spot. The Sharks were primed to be at their most intense for their captain. They dominated possession and territory in the first half - and dominated the scoreboard. The Sharks scored three tries and held the Raiders scoreless. At times Canberra looked weary, after three tough encounters against top four opposition. But in an epic second half, the Raiders came back, scoring twice. And in the end, Aidan Sezer's extraordinary third field goal of the match sealed it for Canberra - and sealed a top four finish for the Green Machine.

Read more: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33169&start=455#p1690344

Number 3



Finals Week 3 2019: Canberra Raiders 16 - South Sydney Rabbitohs 10. After a wait of 25 years, the Canberra Raiders qualified for a Grand Final. It had been a long wait for the club, the fans, the city. The Preliminary Final was not a pretty game. But it was a match that the Canberra Raiders simply refused to lose. The defence was extraordinary. In the second half, it repeatedly seemed that the Rabbitohs would crack the game open. And then with 10 minutes remaining, the Raiders leading 10-6, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sent to the sin bin. Most Raiders fans feared the worst. But it proved to be a turning point for the Raiders. The 12 men lifted - and when Josh Papalii scored under the posts, the Raiders locked up a Grand Final berth.

Read more: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33169&start=490#p1700020

Number 2



Round 22 2019: Canberra Raiders 22 - Melbourne Storm 18. It will go down as one of the most remarkable victories in Canberra Raiders' history. The Raiders played 20 minutes of the first half with 12 men, after Jack Wighton and Joe Tapine were both sent to the sin bin. The Storm scored twice when Wighton and Tapine were off the field, and led 18-0 after 30 minutes. The Storm had never lost after leading by 18 points. Their worst collapse ever was in Sydney in 2004, when they surrendered a 16 point lead against the Rabbitohs. In this match, the Raiders scored 22 unanswered points to produce an incredible comeback - in one of the most hostile environments in the NRL.

Read more: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33169&start=420#p1685663

Number 1



Finals Week 1 2019: Canberra Raiders 12 - Melbourne Storm 10. It was a second extraordinary win for the Canberra Raiders against the Storm in Melbourne in the space of five weeks. The Raiders had never beaten the Storm in a finals match. They had not won back-to-back against the Storm since 2012-13. They had only beaten the Storm twice in a season, once - back in 2000. The Raiders led early, and led at half time. Of course, the Storm wrestled their way back into the match in the second half - a try and penalty goals giving them a 10-6 lead. But with just a few minutes left on the clock, a Joe Tapine tackle forced a Storm error on their own line - and then Joey Leilua and John Bateman silenced the Melbourne crowd and that bloody cow bell. The conversion for Jarrod Croker from in front sealed it.

Read more: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33169&start=455#p1695336

[greeneyed]

Today, we're counting down the top five Canberra Raiders tries of 2019...

There were quite a few to choose from... we went with these as the top five!

What was your 5 to 1?





Number 5



Round 13 V Tigers: Bailey Simonsson: It was the Raiders first match at the new Western Sydney Stadium... and Canberra's kicking game unleashed. Inside the first five minutes, Aidan Sezer grubbered ahead, and then some magic happened. Jarrod Croker chased, threw a great flick pass inside... which ended up being kicked ahead by Elliott Whitehead for Bailey Simonsson to score the most incredible try. (Round 13 video: 0:23 min mark)

Number 4



Round 20 V Warriors: Joe Tapine: The Raiders' attack really clicked in Auckland against the Warriors... and Joe Tapine's try was the best of the Green Machine tries... a terrific team effort. (Round 20 video: 2:13 min mark)

Number 3



Finals Wk 1 V Storm: John Bateman: With the Week 1 finals game against the Storm in Melbourne on the line... with just a few minutes remaining... Joey Leilua picks up a loose ball, throws a great flick pass to send John Bateman in under the posts. (Finals Week 1 video: 8:05 min mark)

Number 2



Preliminary Final V Rabbitohs: Josh Papalii: This winning try - to send the Green Machine to the Grand Final - will go down in Raiders folklore! (Preliminary Final video: 9:54 min mark)

Number 1



Round 13 V Tigers: Jordan Rapana: Just before half time, Aidan Sezer made a huge break down the middle of the field. He kicked ahead for the outside backs... and Nick Cotric kicked again, heeling the ball ahead, for Jordan Rapana for a spectacular try. He heeled it! Something rarely seen in rugby league. Stunning. (Round 13 video: 4:00 min mark)

[greeneyed]

Today, we're counting down the top five Canberra Raiders moments of 2019...

There certainly were some great moments in the best season for 25 years... we went with these as the top five!

What was your 5 to 1?



Number 5



Jarrod Croker becomes all time Raiders top try scorer: Co-captain Jarrod Croker scored his 120th try against the Sharks in Canberra, equalling Jason Croker's record. He broke the record in Wollongong against the Dragons in Round 17... and that night became the youngest player ever to score 1900 points. He went on to play his 250th game in green in Round 21 against the Roosters - the second youngest player to do so.

Number 4



Raiders qualify for the Preliminary Final: It seemed like the Storm had iced the game... but then Joe Tapine dislodges a ball... and the next thing we know, Joey Leilua is throwing a flick pass to put John Bateman in under the posts. Jarrod Croker's conversion from in front secured a home Preliminary Final. What celebrations for the travelling band of Raiders fans at the ground!

Number 3



Raiders' record breaking comeback against the Storm: It will go down as one of the most remarkable victories in Canberra Raiders' history. The Raiders played 20 minutes of the first half with 12 men, after Jack Wighton and Joe Tapine were both sent to the sin bin. The Storm scored twice when Wighton and Tapine were off the field, and led 18-0 after 30 minutes. The Storm had never lost after leading by 18 points. Their worst collapse ever was in Sydney in 2004, when they surrendered a 16 point lead against the Rabbitohs. In Round 22, the Raiders scored 22 unanswered points to produce an incredible comeback - in one of the most hostile environments in the NRL.

Number 2





Grand Final Viking Clap: Emotional, spine chilling experience. Mal Meninga blows the Viking Horn to start it and a sea of green flags greets the team as the crowd sings the club song.

Number 1



Raiders qualify for the Grand Final: It was an historic first Preliminary Final in Canberra, a record crowd. And when Josh Papalii crashed over for the winning try, never has there been such an outpouring of emotion at Canberra Stadium. The Raiders qualified for their first Grand Final in 25 years. The scenes when Sia Soliola led a post game Viking Clap... incredible.

[greeneyed]

Today, we're counting down the top five Canberra Raiders tackles of 2019...

What was your 5 to 1?





Number 5



Round 18 V Tigers: Aidan Sezer and Jarrod Croker: Two tackles really... but it is hard to overlook one or the other. The Tigers trailed by eight points as the clock ticked down, but the Tigers were throwing everything they had in attack at the Raiders. With three minutes remaining, Tigers winger Paul Momirovski made a break, kicked ahead and Michael Chee Kam regathered. However Aidan Sezer was chasing just as hard and wrapped him up in an incredible, desperate tackle. Then Jarrod Croker was at it, shortly afterwards! (Rd 18 video: 3:44 min mark)

Number 4



Round 13 V Tigers: Bailey Simonsson: There was some great defence from the Raiders in this match, but Bailey Simonsson was particularly good. In the 35th minute, the Tigers made a break through Corey Thompson, and the attack was rampaging. They sent the ball wide to Esan Marsters and he looked certain to score. But Simonsson produced a great tackle, stopping the ball, stopping the man, and held him up over the line. Try saver! (Rd 13 video: 3:14 min mark. NRL try savers: 1:49 min mark)

Number 3



Round 12 v Bulldogs: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad: In the final minute, the Bulldogs were desperately attacking, trailing by two points. Kieran Foran swept the ball to the left and Marcello Montoya charged down the sideline. Then came the moment of the match, when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad lined him up, hitting him in a beautiful tackle and taking him over the sideline. It was a stunning tackle, a match saver. (Rd 12 video: 5:00 min mark)

Number 2



Finals Week 3 V Rabbitohs: Josh Hodgson: A brilliant try saver from the co-captain. Hodgson makes the tackle and strips the ball. (Preliminary Final video: 3:32 min mark)

Number 1



Finals Week 1 V Storm: Joe Tapine: Possibly the most crucial tackle of the season, with Joe Tapine dislodging the ball from the Storm in the red zone... creating the opportunity for the winning John Bateman try. (Finals Wk 1 video: 8:03 min mark)

[greeneyed]

Today we're counting down the Canberra Raiders top five players of 2019...

Number 5



Elliott Whitehead

"I believe Elliott is very much underrated in terms of the contribution of his play," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says. "Players are all different in terms of contribution. Everyone sees what Elliott does in terms of his flashes of brilliance with ball play but what’s understated is the amount of work he gets through in other areas of his game. He never quits in terms of his defensive efforts and he was instrumental in terms of our season. There’s no doubt Elliott is now up there with the best back rowers in the world." Read more

Number 4



John Bateman

John Bateman joined the Canberra Raiders from the Wigan Warriors in 2019, and made an instant impact on the National Rugby League. He was a high profile recruit, but the extent of his impact - on the Canberra Raiders and the competition - still surprised many. He ended the year with a Grand Final appearance and a deserved Dally M Second Rower of the Year award. He was the choice of most commentators and fans as the "buy of the season". Read more

Number 3



Jack Wighton

2018 was not the best of years for Canberra Raiders fullback Jack Wighton. That had nothing to do with how he performed on field, rather off field indiscretions that saw him found guilty of assault and suspended by the NRL for the final 10 weeks of the competition. 2019 saw him turn that right around, successfully making the transition from fullback to five eighth, making his debut for the Blues and the Kangaroos and winning the Clive Churchill Medal, the best on the ground in the Grand Final. Read more

Number 2



Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

In 2019, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was a revelation. He joined the club just days before the Raiders started playing their trial matches for 2019. But no-one would have expected he would finish 2019 as one of the top fullbacks in the NRL, voted the Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Best Back, with a Grand Final appearance and a Kiwis jersey to his name. Read more

Number 1



Josh Papalii

In 2018, Josh Papalii shifted from the edge to the middle and made the lock position his own. Despite being dropped to reserve grade early in the year, he was named Meninga Medalist and Fans' Choice Player of the Year - for the second time. He made another shift in 2019, to prop - part of Ricky Stuart's plan to make his forward pack more mobile. And at season's end, he was named Meninga Medalist and Fans' Choice Player of the Year, for the third time. Read more

[Johno]

The Klok ran for 160+ a game?

I didnt realise that, its been too long since the season finished !