Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

All the news on the Canberra Raiders NRL team, all in one place

Moderator: GH Moderators

Bay53
Steve Walters
Posts: 7533
Joined: March 11, 2007, 9:35 pm

Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Bay53 »

It seems to be a common theme at the moment that various sources are naming teams of the decade.

So I thought I would have a go for the Raiders. 2010-19 is my first full decade following the Raiders and with the exception of about 4-5 weeks in 2013 and almost all of 2014 when I was overseas for all bar the final 2 games, there have probably been less than 20 games that I haven't attended.

Hopefully the highlight of the decade is still to come and should we win the grand final I reckon I would scrap this team and just take the Grand final team, but here goes. I am sure I will get tongues wagging.

Canberra Raiders team of the Decade 2010-19

1. Anthony Milford
2. Jordan Rapana
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joey Leilua
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Terry Campese
7. Blake Austin
8. David Shillington
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Junior Paulo
11. Josh Papalli
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Shaun Fensom

14. Jack Wighton
15. Sia Soliola
16. Brett White
17. John Bateman

Explanations:

Full Backs - possibles - Dugan (10-13), Wighton (12-19), Milford (13-14).

I expect my decision to have Milford at full back will be controversial with most going for Wighton. For mine, Milford looked a superstar in juniors and looked a player right from the start. Won the Meninga Medal in 2013 in his first year in first grade. Doesn't specifically count for this but Milford also led us to SG Ball and Holden Cup grand finals - the closest we got to a title in the decade (so far!!) Milford's decision to leave was my biggest disappointment of the decade, even if in hindsight, losing our consolation prize in Tedesco was even bigger.

Wighton could fit into a number of postions and has played 150 great games in the decade, and played but probably controverisally I have him on the bench. Dugan played some great games between 2010-12 but I couldn't go with him.


Wing - possibles Robinson (10-14), Ferguson (11-13), Lee (12-16), Rapana (14-19), Cotric (17-19)

Jordan Rapana was only of only two Raiders that any of 23 judges included in the NRL team of the decade so he picks himself. Been a super player after very modest beginnings (remember he came to Canberra to play for the Brumbies). Ferguson is controversial and I would rate Nic Cotric as a far better person than him, but there was a period there when he was probably the best back in the game. Probably pretty tough to not include Cotric but hopefully he will be one of the first picked next decade.


Centres - possibles Croker (10-19) Leilua (15-19) others out of position

I think these two pick themselves. Croker is the only player to have played all 10 years of the decade and is clearly centre, captain and goal kicker in this team. Meninga Medal 2014. BJ can be rocks and diamonds at times, but is quality. Other options were really players who haven't played centre a lot including Ferguson and Cotric, plus Jack Wighton has been picked for Origin in the centres but really hasn't played too many games there for the Raiders.


Halves - possibles Campese (10-14), McCrone (10-15), Williams (11-19) Austin (14-18), Sezer (16-19)

Possibly my two selections are remembered for the way their Raiders careers ended but at their peak they were as good a players as we had this decade. Campo did his knee in the 2010 semis so probably didn't reach any great heights after that, but his year in 2010 was the reason we made the second week of the finals.

Austo had run his time with the Raiders at the end of last year, but 2015-16 he was a massive part of our side. One could argue that you would never play Campo and Austin together because they were not more running than organising halves and I accept that, but I still think they were our best two halves of the decade.


Prop - Possibles - Miller (10-11), Learoyd-Lahrs (10-13), Thurling (10-12), Shillington (10-15), White (11-14), Vaughan (13-16), Boyd (14-18), Soliola (15-19), Paulo (16-18), Lui (17-19)

Plenty of good players here. For so long, David Shillington was the only player we would ever get picked in rep sides. I know he wasn't always everyones favourite but I had a lot of time for him, both on and off the field. Meninga Medal 2010. Junior Paulo wasn't here for very long, but he was the icing on the cake in 2016 when we were going really well then Mal Meninga Medalist in 2017.


Hooker - possibles Hodgson (15-19) Tongue (10-11), Buttriss (10-15), Baptiste (15-17), Havilli (18-19)

Hardly a tough decision here. Daylight comes 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Meninga Medal 2016.


Back row - possibles - Picker (10-13), J Thompson (10-13), Fensom (10-16), Papalli (11-19), Whitehead (16-19), Tapine (16-19), J Bateman (19)

Josh Papalli is the player most likely to be picked in any NRL team of the decade. Just keeps getting better. I know he is playing prop now but has played back row most of the time and as I have said on GH live a number of times, is most dangerous as a prop who plays a bit wider. Meninga Medal in 2016 and 2018 and probably favourite for 2019.

Whitehead has been a revalation since he came to us. Regular international and has played very few bad games for us.

It is easy to forget how good Shaun Fensom was at the start of the decade. Won Meninga Medal in both 2011 and 2012. Form really dropped off in 2016 but for the first half of the decade was arguably our best player.


Bench

I know for most of the decade we have played with a second hooker on the bench but I just couldn't leave Wighton out of the team. Covers 1-7 plus back row at a pinch.

Sia Soliola has been the rock that the team of the second half of the decade has been built around. Meninga Medal 2015 and as important as anyone off the field.

Brett White is probably a surprise to some people and arguably he was past his best when he came to us, but I just know how much the coaching staff respected him coming into a young side. My memory is Tom Learoyd-Lahrs probably played his best football at the back end of last decade. If you were picking a team from 2005-2014 rather than individual decades, he would be a walk up start.

I have John Bateman in 17. It is pretty hard to argue that a player who has played less than 20 games can be part of a team of the decade, but I just think he has just been so instrumental in our turn around this year, I am going to find a spot for him.

What do you think Raiders fans??
User avatar
BJ
Steve Walters
Posts: 7687
Joined: February 2, 2007, 12:14 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by BJ »

Great concept. I think players should have played at least 50 games during the period.

A bit of structure makes it more representative of the period.

But great idea. If we win the GF this season I’m naming the current team.
Bay53
Steve Walters
Posts: 7533
Joined: March 11, 2007, 9:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Bay53 »

BJ wrote: August 21, 2019, 10:41 pm Great concept. I think players should have played at least 50 games during the period.

A bit of structure makes it more representative of the period.

But great idea. If we win the GF this season I’m naming the current team.
I gave an exception for John Bateman but the only other in the 17 who didn't play 50 games in the period was Milford with 42. Winning a Meninga Medal meant to me he was very much under consideration.
Last edited by Bay53 on August 21, 2019, 10:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
greeneyed
Don Furner
Posts: 145095
Joined: January 7, 2005, 4:21 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by greeneyed »

Not a single Raiders player made it into either an A or B team (that is, the top 36 players) for NRL Team of the Decade on NRL.com.au: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/19/nrl ... -greatest/

Jordan Rapana (2) and Josh Papalii (1) were the only Raiders mentioned in voting. One vote for Rapana came from Mark Graham, while Ricky Stuart voted for Rapana and Papalii.

Mal Meninga, Andrew Johns, Wally Lewis, Bob Fulton, Phil Gould, Craig Bellamy, Trent Robinson, Ricky Stuart, Peter Sterling, Darren Lockyer, Danny Buderus and Laurie Daley were amongst the panel selecting.

I’m not sure it’s an unfair assessment. It’s mostly been a decade of underachievement... so far.

There’s a fan poll at present: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/21/tea ... -your-say/
Image
edwahu

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by edwahu »

I mostly agree except for a few changes-

Vaughan has to be one prop. He was outstanding for 3 years Vs one from Jnr. Not at least having him on the bench is a hot take.

Cotric gets the wing spot over Fergo for mine. I can't pick guys that seriously damaged the club in these sides. If you do then Dugan has to be fullback.

I'd say Sezer should be halfback. Austin played 4 games there so his competition is basically Mcrone and Williams. Sezer is nothing special but he has a 60% win rate largely because he doesn't lose games with his defense.

5/8th comes down to Campo 2010 Vs Wighton this year Vs Austin 2015. Jack gets it because the others went downhill much faster.

White was never above average. I would give Paulo or Boyd his spot with Tapine also on the bench.
Last edited by edwahu on August 21, 2019, 11:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Bay53
Steve Walters
Posts: 7533
Joined: March 11, 2007, 9:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Bay53 »

greeneyed wrote: August 21, 2019, 10:51 pm Not a single Raiders player made it into either an A or B team (that is, the top 36 players) for NRL Team of the Decade on NRL.com.au: https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/19/nrl ... -greatest/
I think they only gave 1/2 point for being on the bench. Bellamy and Stuart both had Papalli on the bench so I couldn't understand why he only had one point.

They picked the B team based on the A team picked by the judges. Cameron Smith, not unreasonably got 23 out of 23 votes for hooker. Therefore there was no other hooker under consideration so they named Michael Morgan.

I think Hodgo would be up there for the B team hooker - probably competing with Farah, Friend, Luke and McCullough. Most of those played the whole decade so would probably come out ahead. Matt Ballin would be the other to consider.
edwahu

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by edwahu »

Rapana deserves consideration ahead of Morris. Should've been 2x Winger of the year.

It's harder for Kiwis and Poms to make those sides without playing Origin.
Bay53
Steve Walters
Posts: 7533
Joined: March 11, 2007, 9:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Bay53 »

edwahu wrote: August 21, 2019, 10:56 pm I mostly agree except for a few changes-

Vaughan has to be one prop. He was outstanding for 3 years Vs one from Jnr. Not at least having him on the bench is a hot take.

Cotric gets the wing spot over Fergo for mine. I can't pick guys that seriously damaged the club in these sides. If you do then Dugan has to be fullback.

I'd say Sezer should be halfback. Austin played 4 games there. Sezer is nothing special but he has a 60% win rate largely because he doesn't ruin entire seasons with his defense.

5/8th comes down to Campo 2010 Vs Wighton this year Vs Austin 2015. Jack gets it because the others went downhill much faster.

White was never above average. I would give Paulo or Boyd his spot with Tapine also on the bench.
All reasonable points. I watch a lot of juniors and I never really rated Vaughan so perhaps that clouded my judgement. Cotric over Ferguson is a fair call, I just think there was a period there where Ferguson was unstoppable. I considered that for most of the decade the 6 or 7 jersey was interchangeable with not a lot of difference between the way 6 or 7 played. I guess I picked players on their best years rather than a number of ok years.

I think the coaching staff of the time (in particular Furner and McFadden) would disagree with you that Brett White was never above average.
Bay53
Steve Walters
Posts: 7533
Joined: March 11, 2007, 9:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Bay53 »

edwahu wrote: August 21, 2019, 10:59 pm Rapana deserves consideration ahead of Morris. Should've been 2x Winger of the year.

It's harder for Kiwis and Poms to make those sides without playing Origin.
I would have Boyd, Tuivasa-Sheck and Hayne ahead of both Rapana and B Morris. I know they didn't always play there but Slater takes full back and I would have to find a spot for the others. RTS played wing mostly for the Roosters and Boyd and Hayne played a lot of origin on the wing.
The Nickman
Mal Meninga
Posts: 51011
Joined: June 25, 2012, 9:53 am
Favourite Player: Hodgo
Location: Rockhampton, Central Queensland

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by The Nickman »

Good grief, Sean! Your team STINKS, and I think our current team would probably absolutely towel them up

I think, if anything, it shows how poor this decade has been for the club, easily the worst ten year period since a nine year old Rickman first donned the green
julian87
Laurie Daley
Posts: 13939
Joined: October 20, 2005, 3:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by julian87 »

Things I don’t like about your team Bay. Players out of position. Austin was always five-eighth and Ferguson was pretty much always centre for us. And Brett White was a good bloke, but stunk as a player for us.

I also don’t think Campese makes the team. He was pretty much cooked after his original acl injury and those 4 or so years after were just a really depressing time for the club as a supporter.

1. Jack Wighton
2. Nick Cotric
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Blake Austin
7. Aidan Sezer
8. David Shillington
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Josh Papalii
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Shaun Fensom

14. Sia Soliola
15. Blake Ferguson
16. Joe Tapine
17. Shannon Boyd
18. Josh McCrone
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
julian87
Laurie Daley
Posts: 13939
Joined: October 20, 2005, 3:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by julian87 »

Bay53 wrote: August 21, 2019, 11:05 pm
edwahu wrote: August 21, 2019, 10:59 pm Rapana deserves consideration ahead of Morris. Should've been 2x Winger of the year.

It's harder for Kiwis and Poms to make those sides without playing Origin.
I would have Boyd, Tuivasa-Sheck and Hayne ahead of both Rapana and B Morris. I know they didn't always play there but Slater takes full back and I would have to find a spot for the others. RTS played wing mostly for the Roosters and Boyd and Hayne played a lot of origin on the wing.
See this isn’t how it should work imo. If you miss out on your position tough titties. Wing is a specialist position and imo the best two genuine wingers of this decade at NRL level (origin should probably have nothing to do with it given it’s an NRL team of the decade) are Morris and Rapana.
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
User avatar
Matt
Don Furner
Posts: 38868
Joined: May 18, 2010, 4:17 pm
Favourite Player: Time for the new breed Savage, Mooney, Timoko
Location: Canberra

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Matt »

Bay53 wrote: August 21, 2019, 10:32 pm It seems to be a common theme at the moment that various sources are naming teams of the decade.

So I thought I would have a go for the Raiders. 2010-19 is my first full decade following the Raiders and with the exception of about 4-5 weeks in 2013 and almost all of 2014 when I was overseas for all bar the final 2 games, there have probably been less than 20 games that I haven't attended.

Hopefully the highlight of the decade is still to come and should we win the grand final I reckon I would scrap this team and just take the Grand final team, but here goes. I am sure I will get tongues wagging.

Canberra Raiders team of the Decade 2010-19

1. Anthony Milford
2. Jordan Rapana
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joey Leilua
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Terry Campese
7. Blake Austin
8. David Shillington
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Junior Paulo
11. Josh Papalli
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Shaun Fensom

14. Jack Wighton
15. Sia Soliola
16. Brett White
17. John Bateman

What do you think Raiders fans??
IMO,

FB, Id pick Dugan here. Despite the way he left, he was the best fullback we had. He also debuted for the Blues while with us.

I like your outside backs, no changes there.

For 5/8, I think most will say Campo is easy. Almost singlehandedly took us to a finals series that was looking like a GF tilt til his knee, but that's really only 1 season.
Austin won the Daly M 5/8 of the yr in 2015, then helped take us to finals in 2016.
Milf won a couple of Meninga Medals.
I'd stick with Campo at his peak, but think it's closer than many might think.

Halfback is a trainwreck. Sezer is really the only option here in his position. Finals 2016 and 2019. If we win a GF, he slides in.
However, I'm going to break with position too, and pick Milford. He is the more naturally gifted half still on offer. He also has the individual brilliance to win you games. I also think that despite wearing 6, Campo did the organising, so Milf in 7 actually plays 6.

As for the pack and bench, the only change I'd make, like Edwahu, Id have Vaughan over White.

I'll add, it feels wrong leaving Tonguey out. But retired in 2011, so only just makes the decade. But if would mean leaving out Bateman, who has clearly made a big difference, and made us a Top 4 side.

The 4 lumbering props and tough choices at half really defines this decade too.
89_90_94_??
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
Posts: 70
Joined: August 10, 2019, 8:10 pm
Favourite Player: Josh.p

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by 89_90_94_?? »

1.Dugan
2.Fergo
3.BJ
4.(c)
5.Rapana
6.Blake/campo. Both had one amazing year at the club, the rest was average.
7.Can we just play with 12 men? No one stands out. Mccrone at 7 so we have some one to blame every week when we don't win, Jared would like that.
8.Shilo
9.hodgson
10.Vaughn
11.Josh
12.Whitehead
13.Fenson

14.wighton
15.Sia
16.Paulo
17.Bateman/Tapine/Boyd
edwahu

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by edwahu »

julian87 wrote: August 22, 2019, 7:42 am
Bay53 wrote: August 21, 2019, 11:05 pm
edwahu wrote: August 21, 2019, 10:59 pm Rapana deserves consideration ahead of Morris. Should've been 2x Winger of the year.

It's harder for Kiwis and Poms to make those sides without playing Origin.
I would have Boyd, Tuivasa-Sheck and Hayne ahead of both Rapana and B Morris. I know they didn't always play there but Slater takes full back and I would have to find a spot for the others. RTS played wing mostly for the Roosters and Boyd and Hayne played a lot of origin on the wing.
See this isn’t how it should work imo. If you miss out on your position tough titties. Wing is a specialist position and imo the best two genuine wingers of this decade at NRL level (origin should probably have nothing to do with it given it’s an NRL team of the decade) are Morris and Rapana.
Yeah, I agree. Same with when I see Mullins on the wing in Raiders sides like this.

The only thing I would disagree with is whether Morris deserves the spot over Radradra. Morris had longevity and Origin but Semi was a better player.
julian87
Laurie Daley
Posts: 13939
Joined: October 20, 2005, 3:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by julian87 »

How many games did Blake Ferguson play on the wing for Canberra? I imagine it’s as scribe said; not many, if any.
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
edwahu

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by edwahu »

julian87 wrote: August 22, 2019, 8:34 am How many games did Blake Ferguson play on the wing for Canberra? I imagine it’s as scribe said; not many, if any.
He played 30. His first year and half his second was all on the Wing.

I can't pick him if it's a merit team regardless. In the end if a player does something that damages the club like he did it has to be balanced against his contribution on the park, since it ultimately leads to worse performance on the field for the team. He and especially Dugan blew up a team which could've competed for a title.

If you're picking a side to play for your life it's different.
Last edited by edwahu on August 22, 2019, 8:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Botman
Mal Meninga
Posts: 41997
Joined: June 18, 2013, 4:31 pm
Favourite Player: Elliott Whitehead

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Botman »

julian87 wrote: August 22, 2019, 8:34 am How many games did Blake Ferguson play on the wing for Canberra? I imagine it’s as scribe said; not many, if any.
According to
http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/playe ... mmary.html

He played 60 games for the club
30 at wing
27 at centre
3 at fullback
julian87
Laurie Daley
Posts: 13939
Joined: October 20, 2005, 3:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by julian87 »

Well I’m 100% wrong then, sorry ha. From memory his best work was at right centre though.
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
julian87
Laurie Daley
Posts: 13939
Joined: October 20, 2005, 3:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by julian87 »

Who was playing right centre in 2011/12 when Ferguson was on the wing? Thompson?
well, I guess you could say that I'm buy curious.
User avatar
Matt
Don Furner
Posts: 38868
Joined: May 18, 2010, 4:17 pm
Favourite Player: Time for the new breed Savage, Mooney, Timoko
Location: Canberra

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Matt »

julian87 wrote: August 22, 2019, 9:17 am Who was playing right centre in 2011/12 when Ferguson was on the wing? Thompson?
Yep, Thommo
Drandyt
Noa Nadruku
Posts: 163
Joined: February 17, 2019, 4:00 pm
Favourite Player: Terry Campese

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Drandyt »

Matt wrote: August 22, 2019, 9:24 am
julian87 wrote: August 22, 2019, 9:17 am Who was playing right centre in 2011/12 when Ferguson was on the wing? Thompson?
Yep, Thommo
Joel should be in the team of the decade - highly underated player. Versatile, hard as nails and runs straight. Also pretty quick, remember that game he out ran (either Jennings or Hayne) for a 50 metre try.
User avatar
BJ
Steve Walters
Posts: 7687
Joined: February 2, 2007, 12:14 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by BJ »

I can’t put B White in the team. Vaughan definitely ahead, I even thought fellow Storm player Lima performed better than White for his period with the Raiders.
User avatar
zim
Laurie Daley
Posts: 10639
Joined: July 8, 2015, 3:38 pm
Favourite Player: NRL: Joseph Tapine
NRLW: Grace Kemp
Location: Sydney

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by zim »

Loved Lima's stint for us. Reminded everyone where the back fence was.
User avatar
greeneyed
Don Furner
Posts: 145095
Joined: January 7, 2005, 4:21 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by greeneyed »

Looks like a good option for an off season series of polls.
Image
Bay53
Steve Walters
Posts: 7533
Joined: March 11, 2007, 9:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Bay53 »

greeneyed wrote: August 22, 2019, 12:21 pm Looks like a good option for an off season series of polls.
Good discussion to have now too I reckon.
User avatar
GreenMachine
Jason Croker
Posts: 4264
Joined: April 13, 2005, 2:22 pm
Favourite Player: Laurie Daley

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by GreenMachine »

The Rickman wrote: August 21, 2019, 11:48 pm Good grief, Sean! Your team STINKS, and I think our current team would probably absolutely towel them up

I think, if anything, it shows how poor this decade has been for the club, easily the worst ten year period since a nine year old Rickman first donned the green
100%
I struggle to add any players from the past decade onto our current team.
Campese and Tounge (who only played 2009 -2011) might be the only 2 players.
User avatar
FuiFui BradBrad
Bradley Clyde
Posts: 8651
Joined: May 3, 2008, 10:23 pm
Favourite Player: Phil Graham
Location: Marsden Park

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by FuiFui BradBrad »

Is it too early to do Raider team of the century or millennium?


Sent from my iPhone using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Feel free to call me RickyRicky StickStick if you like. I will also accept Super Fui, King Brad, Kid Dynamite, Chocolate-Thunda... or Brad.

Nickman's love of NSW
  • NSW has done a superb job - 18/12/2020
  • NSW has been world-class with their approach to date, that's a fact. - 04/02/2021
User avatar
Seiffert82
Mal Meninga
Posts: 27845
Joined: March 17, 2007, 12:24 pm
Favourite Player: Bay56

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Seiffert82 »

There's a couple of obvious stand outs IMO; Campese, Hodgson, Papalii, Croker (yes Croker), Rapana and Whitehead are all up there.

Then there are the likes of Leilua, Shillington, Fenno, Austin, Monaghan, Harrison and Wighton who have all played top shelf footy at times, but have also been a bit inconsistent so there are question marks over their inclusion.

Then there is the third category of great players, who either had off-field issues or have arguably played their best footy elsewhere or before the decade, like Milford, Dugan, Ferguson, White, Vaughan, Tongue, Thompson and Paulo.

Then the fourth group like CNK, Bateman and Cotric who are early in their careers here but are clearly quality footballers.

It's a really hard decade to pick a team as we've been all over the shop. IMO I'd go something like:

1. Josh Dugan (that's a really tough one for me)
2. Blake Ferguson
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Anthony Milford (another really tough one)
7. Terry Campese
8. David Shillington
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Josh Papalli
11. John Bateman
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Alan Tongue

14. Jack Wighton
15. Paul Vaughan
16. Junior Paulo (another tough decision)
17. Sia Soliola
User avatar
Botman
Mal Meninga
Posts: 41997
Joined: June 18, 2013, 4:31 pm
Favourite Player: Elliott Whitehead

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Botman »

My team would be:

1. Anthony Milford: I know whe **** us over, but in those years he was with us? Maybe the most electric player in the comp. He was Ponga before Ponga existed.
2. Nick Cotric
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Jack Wighton: Came down to a choice between him and Austin, selected Jack because the totality of his contributon and he's just actually a better more rounded player.
7. Terry Campese: His knee injuries ruined him, and whilst he was ultimately a ball running 5/8th, the fact he could control a game with kicking and passing, i dont feel like im cheating with him at halfback.
8. David Shillington
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Paul Vaughan
11. John Bateman: Not even a year in, but this guy is one of the best players in the entire league. A dominant footballer and his contribution has already been enough to merit a spot in the side imo.
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Josh Papalii: He'd played in the middle throughout his rep career, is not excelling in that role in 2019. Lock is a middle position, not feeling like im cheating the positions to put him here.

14. Blake Ferguson: Too good and too dominant during his time here to ignore.
15. Sia Soliola
16. Joe Tapine
17. Shaun Fensom: The game changed around him and moved away from guys like him as middle players, and he himself regressed as a footballer. But he was an absolute stalwart of our team during some very dark days.
User avatar
BJ
Steve Walters
Posts: 7687
Joined: February 2, 2007, 12:14 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by BJ »

PigRickman wrote:My team would be:

1. Anthony Milford: I know whe **** us over, but in those years he was with us? Maybe the most electric player in the comp. He was Ponga before Ponga existed.
2. Nick Cotric
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Jack Wighton: Came down to a choice between him and Austin, selected Jack because the totality of his contributon and he's just actually a better more rounded player.
7. Terry Campese: His knee injuries ruined him, and whilst he was ultimately a ball running 5/8th, the fact he could control a game with kicking and passing, i dont feel like im cheating with him at halfback.
8. David Shillington
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Paul Vaughan
11. John Bateman: Not even a year in, but this guy is one of the best players in the entire league. A dominant footballer and his contribution has already been enough to merit a spot in the side imo.
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Josh Papalii: He'd played in the middle throughout his rep career, is not excelling in that role in 2019. Lock is a middle position, not feeling like im cheating the positions to put him here.

14. Blake Ferguson: Too good and too dominant during his time here to ignore.
15. Sia Soliola
16. Joe Tapine
17. Shaun Fensom: The game changed around him and moved away from guys like him as middle players, and he himself regressed as a footballer. But he was an absolute stalwart of our team during some very dark days.
I thought you’d have Mitch Cornish, you were always a big fan.
User avatar
dubby
Don Furner
Posts: 33813
Joined: May 16, 2006, 12:14 pm
Favourite Player: Mal Meninga
Location: Albury

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by dubby »

I love Campo, I really do. But he had one dominant season. One.
Injury just ruined this guy. He could have been anything.

That said, i have to find a spot for him somewhere.

Also Shillo. That guy was very good for us.

Sent from my SM-G960F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

The spiral of silence refers to the idea that when people fail to speak, the price of speaking rises. As the price to speak rises, still fewer speak out, which further causes the price to rise, so that fewer people yet will speak out, until a whole culture or nation is silenced. This is what happened in Germany.

If you do not speak, you are not being neutral, but are contributing to the success of the thing you refuse to name and condemn.
User avatar
dubby
Don Furner
Posts: 33813
Joined: May 16, 2006, 12:14 pm
Favourite Player: Mal Meninga
Location: Albury

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by dubby »

I agree with all this except Fensom.

I'd pick Junior before him.

Sent from my SM-G960F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk

The spiral of silence refers to the idea that when people fail to speak, the price of speaking rises. As the price to speak rises, still fewer speak out, which further causes the price to rise, so that fewer people yet will speak out, until a whole culture or nation is silenced. This is what happened in Germany.

If you do not speak, you are not being neutral, but are contributing to the success of the thing you refuse to name and condemn.
User avatar
Botman
Mal Meninga
Posts: 41997
Joined: June 18, 2013, 4:31 pm
Favourite Player: Elliott Whitehead

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Botman »

BJ wrote: August 22, 2019, 7:19 pm I thought you’d have Mitch Cornish, you were always a big fan.
I’m a big fan of giving talent an opportunity to develop over picking proven bums who can guide you to a solid 10th place showing.

Whether Mitch Cornish would have developed had he been given the proper opportunity we’ll never know. Very likely he wouldn’t given the rest of his career, but no one will convince me we should have been playing the proven bums we had playing ahead of him.

You need only to look at the halves options being selected in this thread to know this has not been a strong point
Bay53
Steve Walters
Posts: 7533
Joined: March 11, 2007, 9:35 pm

Re: Canberra Raiders Team of the Decade

Post by Bay53 »

dubby wrote: August 22, 2019, 7:22 pm I agree with all this except Fensom.

I'd pick Junior before him.

Sent from my SM-G960F using The Greenhouse mobile app powered by Tapatalk
Fensom was the only player this decade to win two Meninga Medals outright. (Papalli was a dual winner in 2016, outright last year, potentially another this year)
Post Reply