BY ROB 2020 is, if nothing else, the year of Jack Wighton. A year after he was handed the Clive Churchill medal for an outstanding performance in a losing grand final side he has once again upset the establishment by taking out the Dally M award (the irony of the Sydney based rugby league media … More The Final Piece of the Puzzle
BY DAN Jack Wighton is improving so fast you don’t even notice. From “should he play five-eighth” to State of Origin, to Clive Churchill and Dally M Player of the Year. It’s been quite a trajectory. I’m not really interested in arguing whether Wighton is the ‘best’ player in the game. The Dally-M has never … More Jack Wighton: Incomplete Perfection
BY DAN This is a multipart thing because I’m broken like that. Check back for part two in a couple of days. The Canberra Raiders 2020 season was a success. No, they didn’t win the grand final, and they didn’t repeat the heroics of 2019. What they did prove was that they had constructed a … More Raiders (season) Review Part I: Building Resilience
BY DAN The Canberra Raiders were dismantled by the Melbourne Storm 30-10. Every weakness in their makeup that they had papered over throughout the year was exposed as the Storm tore them apart with pace and precision. It was thorough and complete devastation, but Raiders fans shouldn’t lose heart. They’ve proved this year that they … More Raiders Review: Devastation
BY DAN Today it was announced that Caleb Aekins would be joining the Milk for the 2021 season. It’s a signing that seems to be made to build depth in the backline, but it augurs harder choices to come. Aekins comes with some pedigree. He’s battled Dylan Edwards for the fullback position at the Panthers. … More Depth and Hard Choices
BY DAN Well, here we are again. Another preliminary final. Another chance to go to the big dance. And all we have to do is beat the only team who’s recent historical record could be compared to the last team we beat. Easy as. Have you read the Rumble for this game? I think you … More How The Raiders Can Win
BY ROB 2 years, 2 preliminary finals. The Canberra Raiders haven’t done this well since the halcyon days of the early 1990s. It’s now 26 years since they claimed their third premiership, casually pummeling a hapless Bulldogs side. In the interim the Melbourne Storm joined the league and proceeded to embark on a journey of … More Raiders Rumble! Raiders vs Storm Preliminary Final Preview
BY DAN On Friday this week the Canberra Raiders play their third preliminary final in the last five years. It’s the most sustained period of success the Milk have had since they wore Milk jerseys. Back then (and just before), they played preliminary finals in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995 and 1997 (depending on … More Sustainable Success?
BY DAN Tell me there’s a better feeling than spending your weekend bathing in a victory like Canberra’s semi final victory over the Roosters. If you’re anything like me, last Friday’s victory sat with you all weekend, and you read every damn article you could find about it, if only just to hold the exhilaration … More Moving On
BY DAN The Canberra Raiders 22-18 victory over the Sydney Roosters was a triumph of courage and persistence, and one of the best wins in club history. They Raiders took on a dynasty the only way they know how – by staring it straight in the eye and taking it on face-to-face. And in doing … More Raiders Review: Dynasty Enders
