David EdwardsShame on Neil Henry and Matt Elliott..
May 17th 2008 03:26
The most ignored, neglected and disrespected team in the NRL is of course, the Canberra Raiders. The "darlings" of Monday night football are rarely spoken of, unless it is in reference to an off-field incident. Even respected commentators such as Ray Warren struggle to identify players (think 'Michael' Chalk), and the chance of Channel 9 televising a Raiders game is about as likely as a high Brendan Nelson approval rating.
I think the Raiders are destined to be the team that produces great young talent, and then loses it to cashed up clubs looking to unearth the latest sensation. Already this year William Zillman has gone to the Gold Coast, but before him we have seen names such as Brett Finch, Michael Hodgson, Mike Robertson, Luke Williamson, Todd Payten, Ben Cross, Simon Woolford all defect to other clubs - even Woolford chose to become a second string hooker at St George ahead of captaining the Raiders. Not to mention the revolving door of coaches who seem to leave once other clubs recognise they can work "wonders" with the limited playing roster they have.
Matty Elliott's performance since he went to coach Penrith speaks volumes for the character of the Canberra players. I don't think it was so much his coaching that scraped the Raiders into finals series - it was the work ethnic and under-rated ability of the non-descript players. These young Canberra players resemble a group of lemmings as they work together in their distinctive way, no flashiness - business before pleasure. The fact that the players are so unmemorable adds further credit to the fact that their emphasis on teamwork actually wins them games, particularly at their own Canberra fortress.
I hope the Raiders can rebuild and retain most of their roster for the next few years. The fact that they are doing well in the Toyota youth cup shows that there is always talent down Canberra way. Shillington will help the forward pack, and they must resign Lincoln Withers because he is the heart of the club. Gaining Trent Barrett would be a real bonus because he would add experience to the very young backline. TheNRL competition is generally cyclical in nature, and teams can have a few lean years and then spring back into premiership contention.
Neil Henry and Matthew Elliott should send written thanks to the Canberra squad of the last few years. Only now are we seeing that mediocre coaches can be exposed when they are out of their depth.
I think the Raiders are destined to be the team that produces great young talent, and then loses it to cashed up clubs looking to unearth the latest sensation. Already this year William Zillman has gone to the Gold Coast, but before him we have seen names such as Brett Finch, Michael Hodgson, Mike Robertson, Luke Williamson, Todd Payten, Ben Cross, Simon Woolford all defect to other clubs - even Woolford chose to become a second string hooker at St George ahead of captaining the Raiders. Not to mention the revolving door of coaches who seem to leave once other clubs recognise they can work "wonders" with the limited playing roster they have.
Matty Elliott's performance since he went to coach Penrith speaks volumes for the character of the Canberra players. I don't think it was so much his coaching that scraped the Raiders into finals series - it was the work ethnic and under-rated ability of the non-descript players. These young Canberra players resemble a group of lemmings as they work together in their distinctive way, no flashiness - business before pleasure. The fact that the players are so unmemorable adds further credit to the fact that their emphasis on teamwork actually wins them games, particularly at their own Canberra fortress.
I hope the Raiders can rebuild and retain most of their roster for the next few years. The fact that they are doing well in the Toyota youth cup shows that there is always talent down Canberra way. Shillington will help the forward pack, and they must resign Lincoln Withers because he is the heart of the club. Gaining Trent Barrett would be a real bonus because he would add experience to the very young backline. TheNRL competition is generally cyclical in nature, and teams can have a few lean years and then spring back into premiership contention.
Neil Henry and Matthew Elliott should send written thanks to the Canberra squad of the last few years. Only now are we seeing that mediocre coaches can be exposed when they are out of their depth.
| 64 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Captain Carnage
P.S. They have also signed Panthers workhorse Nathan Smith.