David EdwardsNRL Canberra v Penrith; 74-12
August 10th 2008 23:32
The Canberra Raiders turned back the clock yesterday in front of 6000 of their loyal fans by truly annihilating a hapless Panthers outfit, 74-12. While Penrith opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, the Canberra team rallied together and went to the break ahead 38-12, going on to post a massive 62 point win that has elevated the club to 6th position only 4 weeks out from the finals series.
Who would have thought that the Raiders would be in 6th position, almost certain to claim one of the final 8 positions? Certainly not Phil Gould, with his impertinent Sunday "predictions" in the Herald being consistently wrong when it comes to the Raiders.
Why do i hate Phil Gould so much? Perhaps if his face was less bulbous, his eyes less glazed over; his amphibious features less pronounced. I am aware of the Catch 22 of having a strong opinion on Gould - television executives would tell me you that he "polarises opinions", but... It is surprisingly hard to articulate my distaste for Gould so i won't even bother. Other bloggers have ranted long and hard about Gould - i'll leave it to them.
The game itself was vintage Canberra. The team have evolved this year; going from a dour 2007 side to an exciting, entertaining outift in 2008, truly a remarkable transformation. Canberra will miss Neil Henry next year as he moves to North Queensland, a decision he possibly might be regretting, but the side must retain this attacking flamboyance that has been the trademark and reason behind their movement up the ladder in recent weeks.
Terry Campese has picked up where Todd Carney left - and has asserted himself as one of the senior players in the team, such is the youth of this Canberra side. While the club still lacks a genuine half-back and will require a centre now that the in-form Colin Best is contracted to Souths next year, the Raiders 2009 squad still seems healthy - and will have a sum of money at their disposal if they wish to utilise the player market, with the recent sacking of Todd Carney who was on a 4 year, $1.6 million deal.
I have written before about the Raiders inability to lure players to the club, this may still prove the case. However the morale at the club looks good; Alan Tongue provides inspirational leadership to a very young squadron, combined with a strong message sent by the Board over the sacking of Carney - all could be seen as reasons for players to take up a contract at Canberra. Or, conversely, it could be seen as a place where stringent club rules apply, therefore a place where most league players would hate to play.
The Raiders have set a strong precedent for the NRL to follow. Unfortunately, it will probably be ultimately to the detriment of the club, as it is a distinct possibility that the NRL will overturn the 1 year ban on Carney playing in the NRL - with the Sun-Herald listing Penrith and Cronulla as expressing an interest in signing the 5/8. If this is to happen, then SportingMind will have no choice other than to call up Ray Hadley on the Continuous Call program, with a scripted vent on the game in general - only to be cut off mid call in typical Hadley style as things heat up. This will be followed by an angry letter to Rugby League Week, which will be edited beyond comprehension if published. Following this, repeated emails to Brad Walter/Roy Masters/Phil Gould at the Herald will be sent yet never replied to, leading to my eventual withdrawal as a rugby league supporter - instead jumping on the Western Sydney AFL bandwagon out of pure spite.
-SportingMind
Who would have thought that the Raiders would be in 6th position, almost certain to claim one of the final 8 positions? Certainly not Phil Gould, with his impertinent Sunday "predictions" in the Herald being consistently wrong when it comes to the Raiders.
Why do i hate Phil Gould so much? Perhaps if his face was less bulbous, his eyes less glazed over; his amphibious features less pronounced. I am aware of the Catch 22 of having a strong opinion on Gould - television executives would tell me you that he "polarises opinions", but... It is surprisingly hard to articulate my distaste for Gould so i won't even bother. Other bloggers have ranted long and hard about Gould - i'll leave it to them.
The game itself was vintage Canberra. The team have evolved this year; going from a dour 2007 side to an exciting, entertaining outift in 2008, truly a remarkable transformation. Canberra will miss Neil Henry next year as he moves to North Queensland, a decision he possibly might be regretting, but the side must retain this attacking flamboyance that has been the trademark and reason behind their movement up the ladder in recent weeks.
Terry Campese has picked up where Todd Carney left - and has asserted himself as one of the senior players in the team, such is the youth of this Canberra side. While the club still lacks a genuine half-back and will require a centre now that the in-form Colin Best is contracted to Souths next year, the Raiders 2009 squad still seems healthy - and will have a sum of money at their disposal if they wish to utilise the player market, with the recent sacking of Todd Carney who was on a 4 year, $1.6 million deal.
I have written before about the Raiders inability to lure players to the club, this may still prove the case. However the morale at the club looks good; Alan Tongue provides inspirational leadership to a very young squadron, combined with a strong message sent by the Board over the sacking of Carney - all could be seen as reasons for players to take up a contract at Canberra. Or, conversely, it could be seen as a place where stringent club rules apply, therefore a place where most league players would hate to play.
The Raiders have set a strong precedent for the NRL to follow. Unfortunately, it will probably be ultimately to the detriment of the club, as it is a distinct possibility that the NRL will overturn the 1 year ban on Carney playing in the NRL - with the Sun-Herald listing Penrith and Cronulla as expressing an interest in signing the 5/8. If this is to happen, then SportingMind will have no choice other than to call up Ray Hadley on the Continuous Call program, with a scripted vent on the game in general - only to be cut off mid call in typical Hadley style as things heat up. This will be followed by an angry letter to Rugby League Week, which will be edited beyond comprehension if published. Following this, repeated emails to Brad Walter/Roy Masters/Phil Gould at the Herald will be sent yet never replied to, leading to my eventual withdrawal as a rugby league supporter - instead jumping on the Western Sydney AFL bandwagon out of pure spite.
-SportingMind
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Comment by Mick D
Go the Raiders. I'm getting on this bandwagon early.
Comment by Captain Carnage
Give Herbert time. He has a lot of ability. Campese must play Origin next year. He has been the catalyst, even when Carney was there. And I've been singing the praises of one T. Thurling all year.
One thing's for sure...Gould will be all over the bandwagon that is the Raiders in September. Even if he doesn't know who half the players are.