BY DAN While the Raiders have been on the field frankly showing off, off the field the cat-and-mouse game around John Bateman’s signature has continued. While Canberra surprisingly seemed resigned to losing the star back-rower, their on-field performance, and that of their rivals, has bought them more time to perhaps keep him around. Whether it … More Buying Time
BY DAN If we learnt anything from the Canberra Raiders 22-6 victory over the Melbourne Storm, it’s that the Green Machine are ready to build on 2019. They took the same formula they used then, ratcheted it up a notch, and showed they are capable of big things this season. That there’s still plenty of … More Raiders Review: Ready to Terrify
BY ROB Well, that happened. One moment you’re pondering the meaning of the Raiders trial form, the next you’re watching the season wither and die on the vine as the Rona decimates everything in sight. Not much happened in the shutdown except theNRLsackeditsCEO,theWarriorsgotstuckinNewZealand,abunchofplayersdecidedtheynewbetterthanmedicalexperts,PeterV’landyscompletelychangedthestructureofthegame,LukeBatemanretiredwhileJonnehBateman’sdickheadmanagerrusedguttertabloidtacticstoforcenewcontractnegotiationsincahootswithatalkingscrotumandBronsonXerrioftheSharksgotbustedjuicing. You get all that? Normally the NRL can get through its early … More Raiders Rumble! Raiders v Storm Round 3 Preview
BY DAN Just when Raiders’ fans worldwide were settling into the idea that the footy was actually coming back, a giant spanner was jammed in the proverbial works in the form of John Bateman’s tenure in Canberra. It was such a whirlwind of information. First James Hooper said Bateman has sought a release on four … More High Stakes Negotiating
BY DAN Today James Hooper of Fox Sports wrote that John Bateman has been seeking a release from the Raiders. In fact, his management approached the Raiders four times during the off-season seeking a release so they could get more money. This feels similar to something that occurred last year during grand final week, when … More Bateman contract discussion becomes public
BY DAN The NRL released the new draw today. It’s a much different looking draw than what the Raiders were seeing before the season begun and before the coronavirus threw everything up in the air. Before we start, shouts to the Greenhouse for having such a comprehensive view of the draw up so quickly. It … More 7 Key Draw Take-Aways
BY DAN In a shock to no one that has been paying attention to his “management” style, NRL boss Peter V’Landys has undermined his own success in his ham-fisted approach to changing refereeing. Whether or not you think one referee or two is better, V’Landys has failed on both logic and process to make the … More V’Landys’ Poor Process
BY DAN Last year when it was reported that the Raiders wouldn’t be able to bring back Jordan Rapana it was heartbreaking. But as Raiders’ chief Don Furner revealed recently, we may be in for more hurt after this season. Is there any way to bring him back? I’ve never met a fan of the … More Jordan Rapana’s Unfinished Business
BY DAN How much the world has changed. When we wrote our season preview in early March our biggest worries were how the team would respond to the hardship and interruption caused by a bushfire season. We were anxious as to whether Curtis Scott would even start the season with the side, let alone build … More Raiders Rumble Reboot: Season Preview Version 2
BY DAN I stand with the referees I stand with them because they are exercising their rights under Australian law to have the agreement they made with the National Rugby League adhered to. Under this contract there is no ability for the NRL to change the refereeing model until 2022. In a world where rugby … More I stand with the referees
