Every year, the readers of The Greenhouse vote on the highs and lows of the season just past. The Players of the Year are determined by the Fans' Choice voting, but all the other categories are determined by fan polls.
In this poll we are voting for the Canberra Raiders 2020 Best Moment. You have one vote in this poll. If you would like to vote for a moment that is not nominated... just specify your vote in the thread!
The nominations are:
Raiders defeat ultimate premiers Round 3 V Storm - Canberra Raiders 22 - Melbourne Storm 6. The Raiders returned to the field after a 10 week break, due to the pandemic, and produced an impressive display against the ultimate premiers on the Storm's home turf. There is no doubt that the Storm were not at their best. But the Raiders' defence also frustrated Melbourne into error. The Raiders recorded their third win in a row against Melbourne for the first time - with all three games played in Melbourne.
Backs to the wall victory in Grand Final rematch Round 10 V Roosters Canberra Raiders 24 - Sydney Roosters 20. It will go down in Raiders' history as one of their most courageous victories. It was a rematch between the Grand Final teams of 2019. The Roosters were aiming for their 11th straight win at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Raiders were missing six of their Grand Final team due to long term injury, their main play maker out for the season. The horrible injury toll has left the Green Machine with a squad of just 18 fit players who have any NRL experience. The Raiders were on a five day turnaround. It was, simply, backs to the wall. But fuelled by spirit, heart and pride in the famous green jersey, the Raiders produced a gritty victory against the premiership favourites.
Papalii produces the Dally M Tackle of the Year Round 15 V Titans - Titans half Jamal Fogarty earned a quick 20 metre tap with his kick defusal in goal... and streaked away. Three players were chasing, Lui and Starling couldn't keep pace. But Josh Papalii never gave up, and felled Fogarty with a desperate lunge. It won the Dally M Tackle of the Year. It must be up there for Raiders' Tackle of the Century!
Croker breaks records This year, Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker became the fifth highest point scorer in NRL history. In the Round 16 clash with the Bulldogs, he overtook Jason Taylor to take his place in the top five. He now has the point scoring records of Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston in his sights. He has to score just 18 points to match Johns and 64 points to match Thurston. There is every prospect that next season, he could become one of the three top point scorers in the code's history in Australia. Croker broke through the 2,000 career points barrier in the Round 1 win over the Gold Coast Titans - becoming the youngest player to ever do so. Only seven players have ever surpassed that benchmark. He has now scored 2,158 points, 132 tries and 815 goals.
Rookie Raiders get the win Round 20 V Sharks - Canberra Raiders 38 - Cronulla Sharks 28. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart rested the majority of his stars from the final round of the regular season. The team he selected had an average age of 23, with an average of 49 NRL games experience. Take out the 200 odd appearances of the 34 year old Sia Soliola and those numbers would have been even lower. There were three debutants in the team. There were four other rookies. There were five players all up who hadn't played an NRL game this season. Yet the Rookie Raiders started on fire. They were full of energy, enthusiasm and attacking brilliance. Forwards like Dunamis Lui and Sia Soliola helped lay the platform, and the backs soon took over. The Raiders scored the first try of the match - something they had not done in two months - and went on to score a total of seven.
Josh Papalli and Jack Wighton share Meninga Medal Papalii won his fourth Meninga Medal in 2020, sharing the award for the Raiders' Player of the Year with Jack Wighton - who won his first.
Raiders block Roosters three-peat Finals Week 2 V Roosters. Canberra Raiders 22 - Sydney Roosters 18. Nothing ever avenges a loss in a Grand Final. But when the Raiders defeated the Sydney Roosters last night at the Sydney Cricket Ground - denying them the opportunity for a "threepeat" - it was a little piece of revenge. Coach Ricky Stuart wisely says that "revenge" was never a motivation for the team. Last year was last year he says. But for the fans, that little bit of revenge - against a team that operates under a salary cap sombrero, not a salary cap - sure felt good. Particularly when, at the same time, the Raiders qualified for their third Preliminary Final in the space of five years.
Jack Wighton wins Dally M Medal Jack Wighton became the third Canberra Raiders player to win the Dally M Medal in its 42 year history. Laurie Daley was the last Raider to win, 25 years ago. Wighton beat hot favourite, Nathan Cleary to the title of NRL Player of the Year, as well as Eels fullback Clint Gutherson. He was also named Dally M Five Eighth of the Year.
All the results: Click here
