2020 Finals Week 3 V Storm: Teams and Previews *Teams p1*

[Northern Raider]

If only we listened to the experts on the GH, the Raiders would have won 10 premierships by now.

Yeah well we didn't and what do we have to show for it. Complete lack of premierships.

[Azza]

Daley to lock, McFadden and McLinden at 7-6 and we will arrive at the promised land, folks.

[greeneyed]

Rivers of redemption have Canberra Raiders forward Hudson Young where he's longed to be

Hudson Young's football is finally doing the talking, not his past dates with the judiciary.

"And that's where I wanted to get to," Young said. "I'm not too worried about my past now. I'm comfortable with it. It was my mistake, and I owned them. I'm comfortable playing anywhere and I like having that utility role of playing back row or middle. In the long-run I'd prefer back row but we've got some world-class ones here so I'm happy to sit behind them and learn."

Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/13/riv ... ged-to-be/

The hospital scares that led Raiders trio to reject flu vaccine

On the eve of their return to Queensland for the grand final qualifier against the Storm, Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine and Sia Soliola stressed they were not staging an orchestrated campaign against the flu vaccine.

"I knew my history and my family’s history," he said. "I just can’t get it. What people read and what people watch, it’s not a big deal to me for them not to understand why I don’t get it," Josh Papalii said.

Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/the-ho ... 564cp.html

The NRL player who didn't do weights: How Raiders star Joe Tapine finally raised bar

In the midst of an injury crisis this year, Ricky Stuart asked two of his remaining middle forwards, Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine, to speak to him. His message was simple: you guys have to carry this team in the engine room and drive the standards for everyone else. For Tapine, Canberra's strength and conditioning staff wanted something else: for him to do some weights.

Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/the-nr ... 564lm.html

VIDEO: Papenhuyzen eager to face former junior teammate, Tom Starling: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/13/pap ... -teammate/

VIDEO: Raiders expect Munster to play: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/13/rai ... r-to-play/

[raiderskater]

Finally, some Hudson River jokes.

He's definitely matured a lot and hats off to him.

If you're looking for a place to watch the game, well, Gungahlin Raiders is booked out. (I booked my table for this Friday as I was leaving last Friday because I figured it would happen )

[Seiffert82]

Interesting that Young prefers the back row. He's certainly relished the opportunity to get stuck into the middle.

Either way, he's a real asset either starting or giving us flexibility off the bench.

[gangrenous]

Ashley Klein again..nice.

We are 7/12 under Ash.

Was 6/12 last week no?

[jimmy82]

Bj Leilua provided that miracle play last prelim. You feel that this game will be separated by that one miracle play again, who’s it going to be this time? I’m Going wighton to get us home..

[gangrenous]

Gould, Buzz, Rabs should be thrown in a tinny and set adrift..

Anyone else ?

It's a big tinny.

This should have its own thread.

Can’t believe no one’s put Cummins in so far that I noticed.

[afgtnk]

Rivers of redemption have Canberra Raiders forward Hudson Young where he's longed to be

Hudson Young's football is finally doing the talking, not his past dates with the judiciary.

"And that's where I wanted to get to," Young said. "I'm not too worried about my past now. I'm comfortable with it. It was my mistake, and I owned them. I'm comfortable playing anywhere and I like having that utility role of playing back row or middle. In the long-run I'd prefer back row but we've got some world-class ones here so I'm happy to sit behind them and learn."

Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/13/riv ... ged-to-be/

You a middle Hudson. Play to your strengths.

Put on a bit more size to boost your dint in the line and post contact, keep out of that gouging business, and you'll have a very decent career.

[greeneyed]

@TheGHRaiders on Twitter

VIDEO: Hear from Canberra Raiders Jarrod Croker and Elliott Whitehead as the Green Machine prepares for their Preliminary Final clash against the Melbourne Storm. WIN News Canberra reports: http://ow.ly/h6cN50BQU5B

VIDEO: Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker and forward Elliott Whitehead speak about their clash with the Storm in Brisbane on Friday night. Nine News Canberra reports: http://ow.ly/VOMB50BQUq0

#NRL #WeAreRaiders #NRLStormRaiders #NRLFinals

[Botman]

You a middle Hudson. Play to your strengths.

Put on a bit more size to boost your dint in the line and post contact, keep out of that gouging business, and you'll have a very decent career.

Yes indeed.
Look i've been wrong about him already in that i didnt see this level of play in him, so maybe he'd prove me wrong again but Hudson needs to sit down in the off season and watch his highlights tape and mark off each massive play against what role he was playing...

IMO he can carve out a solid but unspectacular 150 games as an edge if he likes... or he could commit to being a middle and have a real crack at being a dynamic impact player, and based on what i've seen so far as a middle, he's a pillar of our pack moving forward, someone we'd be building around along with Tarps, Hors and Guler. And he's got genuine rep footy potential

[Kryptonite]

Gould, Buzz, Rabs should be thrown in a tinny and set adrift..

Anyone else ?

It's a big tinny.

This should have its own thread.

Can’t believe no one’s put Cummins in so far that I noticed.

Throw the one eyed flog Brandy in there also

[-PJ-]

Ashley Klein again..nice.

We are 7/12 under Ash.

Was 6/12 last week no?

I remember hearing before last Friday's kickoff we were 6/12 under Klein.

So beating the Rooters has us 7/12.

[gangrenous]

Gotta add one to the bottom too PJ. 7/13.

[-PJ-]

Gotta add one to the bottom too PJ. 7/13.

Damn gangers, that's plenty dumb from me..

7/13.

[simo]

You a middle Hudson. Play to your strengths.

Put on a bit more size to boost your dint in the line and post contact, keep out of that gouging business, and you'll have a very decent career.

Yes indeed.
Look i've been wrong about him already in that i didnt see this level of play in him, so maybe he'd prove me wrong again but Hudson needs to sit down in the off season and watch his highlights tape and mark off each massive play against what role he was playing...

IMO he can carve out a solid but unspectacular 150 games as an edge if he likes... or he could commit to being a middle and have a real crack at being a dynamic impact player, and based on what i've seen so far as a middle, he's a pillar of our pack moving forward, someone we'd be building around along with Tarps, Hors and Guler. And he's got genuine rep footy potential

Im happy for him to develop more as an edge player at his current size and continue to play in the middle, if that makes sense. Hes so dynamic in the current role because of his mobility and i wouldnt want him to put on size and lose that.

[gangrenous]

Gotta add one to the bottom too PJ. 7/13.

Damn gangers, that's plenty dumb from me..

7/13.

Hopefully 8/14 by Saturday

[radicalraider]

Few things I think we should focus on against storm -
1. Like tedesco if your gna rush up on pap - make the tackle.
2. Target vunivalu in attack as he likes to jam in.
3. Kick for touch at end of sets to reduce chances of their speedy back 3 counter-attacking.
4. Quick line speed on their big men.
5. Don't fall for Munsters dummy.

[T_R]

Ryan Sutton smokescreen. I'm calling it.

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[-TW-]

Ryan Sutton smokescreen. I'm calling it.

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For who though?

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[BadnMean]

Ryan Sutton smokescreen. I'm calling it.

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For who though?

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Really only would "make sense" for Sia- but he was coming along nicely. Sure Sutton deserves a gig, karmically. But for impact, I want CHN. Sutton and Sia share/compete for that grinder/worker gig.

For the record, I think Sutton is just along for the ride this week.

[BadnMean]

Few things I think we should focus on against storm -
1. Like tedesco if your gna rush up on pap - make the tackle.
2. Target vunivalu in attack as he likes to jam in.
3. Kick for touch at end of sets to reduce chances of their speedy back 3 counter-attacking.
4. Quick line speed on their big men.
5. Don't fall for Munsters dummy.

I think you kick to Vunivalu as he is the least nimble kick returner and it takes him away from the powerful ruck one run, maybe forcing Paps (small) or Brenko (loose) into it. Neither as good a yard maker either on R1.

[Crusader]

His name doesnt get thrown as much as it should, but Elliot Whitehead plays with pride

[Seiffert82]

Bj Leilua provided that miracle play last prelim. You feel that this game will be separated by that one miracle play again, who’s it going to be this time? I’m Going wighton to get us home..

J82, I just need to pick up on this as I was thinking about it today in the context of Tapine stepping up this season.

The massive play in that sequence was Tapine absolutely nailing Addo-Carr, who spilt the pill coming off his line. There's no Bateman try if Taps doesn't put everything into that tackle. For mine, it was a real indicator on how much Tapine gives to us when he is on song. That tackle won us the QF against Melbourne.

[bonehead]

Bj Leilua provided that miracle play last prelim. You feel that this game will be separated by that one miracle play again, who’s it going to be this time? I’m Going wighton to get us home..

J82, I just need to pick up on this as I was thinking about it today in the context of Tapine stepping up this season.

The massive play in that sequence was Tapine absolutely nailing Addo-Carr, who spilt the pill coming off his line. There's no Bateman try if Taps doesn't put everything into that tackle. For mine, it was a real indicator on how much Tapine gives to us when he is on song. That tackle won us the QF against Melbourne.

yes but Beej still had the nous to turn Batty under

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[julian87]

I think the game plan will and should be pretty simple. Punch through the guts with short (and lots of inside) passing same as last week to try and tire NAS and co. Even if Finucane returns because he’ll be short of a trot too.

And then in attack keep going left and putting pressure on Brenko Lee and Suliasi Vunivalu to make decisions in defence. Both of those players are talented but I’d take a lot of convincing to be swayed away from thinking they’re not the 2 dumbest players in the competition.

[Seiffert82]

Bj Leilua provided that miracle play last prelim. You feel that this game will be separated by that one miracle play again, who’s it going to be this time? I’m Going wighton to get us home..

J82, I just need to pick up on this as I was thinking about it today in the context of Tapine stepping up this season.

The massive play in that sequence was Tapine absolutely nailing Addo-Carr, who spilt the pill coming off his line. There's no Bateman try if Taps doesn't put everything into that tackle. For mine, it was a real indicator on how much Tapine gives to us when he is on song. That tackle won us the QF against Melbourne.

yes but Beej still had the nous to turn Batty under

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Yep, not saying it wasn't a good play - just that we don't get a chance to attack them in a broken field situation on their tryline if Tapine doesn't make that hit on Addo-Carr.

[Raiders666]

BJ might have won us that game but he also lost us the GF

[jimmy82]

Bj Leilua provided that miracle play last prelim. You feel that this game will be separated by that one miracle play again, who’s it going to be this time? I’m Going wighton to get us home..

J82, I just need to pick up on this as I was thinking about it today in the context of Tapine stepping up this season.

The massive play in that sequence was Tapine absolutely nailing Addo-Carr, who spilt the pill coming off his line. There's no Bateman try if Taps doesn't put everything into that tackle. For mine, it was a real indicator on how much Tapine gives to us when he is on song. That tackle won us the QF against Melbourne.

Fair call. It will need to be a real team effort, but one great individual play will be the difference between the two teams I feel.
Their full back scares me though, so much speed!

[Seiffert82]

Bj Leilua provided that miracle play last prelim. You feel that this game will be separated by that one miracle play again, who’s it going to be this time? I’m Going wighton to get us home..

J82, I just need to pick up on this as I was thinking about it today in the context of Tapine stepping up this season.

The massive play in that sequence was Tapine absolutely nailing Addo-Carr, who spilt the pill coming off his line. There's no Bateman try if Taps doesn't put everything into that tackle. For mine, it was a real indicator on how much Tapine gives to us when he is on song. That tackle won us the QF against Melbourne.

Fair call. It will need to be a real team effort, but one great individual play will be the difference between the two teams I feel.
Their full back scares me though, so much speed!

Yeah, agreed. Both Leuilua and Bateman made the perfect play in that situation. It was a real team effort.

That's what I like about this side. Hodgo goes down and (IMO) Bateman has had a pretty average season, obviously impacted by injury. Despite that, we've had guys like Papa and Tapine take their games to a new level, while Wighton and Williams are really starting to click as a genuine halves combo. The new guys like Young, Starling and Valemei have also stepped up and given it a real crack. I'm also loving what CNK, Whitehead and Lui are bringing every week.

I don't know how the game on Friday is going to go, but I have a pretty good idea that this team will work together to give it everything they have. That's all I can ever ask.

[BadnMean]

His name doesnt get thrown as much as it should, but Elliot Whitehead plays with pride

Totally agree mate. I;ve made a few posts over the years where I say that in terms of the club turnaround, Elliot has been arguably as influential as Hodgo. He's the embodiment of a team first, do every 1%er right kind of effort player, then you layer a great footy brain and skills on top. Just count the amount of loose balls he swoops on in a season- that about sums him up, smart enough to be anticipating the right spot, always making the effort to get there just in case and good enough hands to grab the bloody thing.

[BadnMean]

Bj Leilua provided that miracle play last prelim. You feel that this game will be separated by that one miracle play again, who’s it going to be this time? I’m Going wighton to get us home..

J82, I just need to pick up on this as I was thinking about it today in the context of Tapine stepping up this season.

The massive play in that sequence was Tapine absolutely nailing Addo-Carr, who spilt the pill coming off his line. There's no Bateman try if Taps doesn't put everything into that tackle. For mine, it was a real indicator on how much Tapine gives to us when he is on song. That tackle won us the QF against Melbourne.

yes but Beej still had the nous to turn Batty under

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Or did Batty have the nous to bank it all on an angled run in, instead of sliding out waiting for BJ to do something?

[Azza]

Both. BJ was trying to set Bateman up but Bateman had the smarts to read what was going on and switch his direction at the last second.

[Northern Raider]

Both players were presented with an opportunity and they executed it perfectly in tandem. One doesn't happen without the other.

Tapine was the one who provided the "miracle". Game was effectively over as Storm only needed to close it out. He caused the turnover that created the try.

[BJ]

Both players were presented with an opportunity and they executed it perfectly in tandem. One doesn't happen without the other.

Tapine was the one who provided the "miracle". Game was effectively over as Storm only needed to close it out. He caused the turnover that created the try.

Not to be forgotten in the play, Lui flew off our line which opened up Addo Carr for Tapine’s excellent hit to force the ball loose.