BY DAN

We have never done a Sportress mailbag.

I wish I had a good reason for this. I’ve always seen what we’re doing here as more imposing than helping. We turn up, yell our thoughts at you for an unholy length of time, sometimes with direction, other times just musing for the vibes. That you good people have picked up what we’ve put down has always amazed me. But to be honest I never thought we’d get enough questions.

But we put out a call out earlier this week after two people asked me questions on twitter that I wanted to answer properly. Twitter is a place where a response to genuine questions can seem snarky or patronising, just because of the format and style. So I asked if there were more questions, and boy did you good folk come through. There’s way more here that I was anticipating, so this is long (even for us). If people like this we’ll do it in the future, but maybe a little more succinct.

So here we are, the very first Sportress mailbag! *Courtseys*

How far before turning should you indicate?

HeathCliff on twitter

Yes! This is the kind of important stuff we can deal with in a mailbag. The main thing is to do it before you start turning. That seems a thing not everyone gets.

Dan, what do we do about Starling? The moment I lost hope with him was when Taps came for his second stint, caught the ball on the middle right, ran to the left and passed to get the ball to Timoko. If our forwards are having to shift the ball rather than our hooker, it’s bad

Charles on twitter

Ah yes that’s more footbally, and Charles this is a question close to my heart. Starling’s development has been more frozen than Han Solo was in carbonite. At this stage he can’t pass easily with width, and he can’t provide consistent service off the ground. And that’s like 60 per cent of being a good rake. We might just have to accept that he’s always going to be a specified-task, specified-term player. Someone that comes on when the middle absolutely kicks the door in and runs like Forrest. We used to do that with Kurt Baptiste – he didn’t necessarily play every game, and even then it was 15-20 minutes. But it was a genuine change of pace when occasionally we needed it.

The key here is accepting what you have and not trying to force something he’s not. It’s not that Starling can’t get better, but it’s more about the coaching staff accepting the things he’s good at and letting him do that. That probably means less minutes, and less responsibility.

Does Zac Woolford have the potential too be our full time rake for years too come ?

Will on facebook

A corollary of the previous question. If Starling isn’t it (or Him, as the kids say), then is Zac? I’ve never seen a player where everyone watching has such a different view than those who make the important decisions. He’s been our best hooker for the past 18 months, and despite the lack of plaudits is consistently a critical part of things we do well.

So is he a long term solution? I tend to think however the four-rake plan plays out that Zac is the only one I’m sure has to be a part of the rotation. It could be as the starter supported by either Starling or Levi (or someone else). It could be as a backup to a fully developed Adrian Trevilyan. Either way he has to be a part of it.

ADRIAN TREVILYAN. What is happening with his contract situation?!?!

Rick on facebook

Rick I don’t know. I want to know. I need to know. But, like last year, there is simply no reporting on him. I’m *this* close to breaking my rule and DMing him myself. Now I just need a saucy pic to entice him to stay.

Phone call while being served at coffee shop?

HeathCliff on twitter

HeathCliff i’m starting to think you’re not taking this seriously. With good reason too. But of course, get off your phone. One interaction at a time.

What is the perfect ratio of specialist 9s and utility 9s in the top 30 you should have on your books

T Mac on twitter

I touch on this here but here’s a more direct version. It’s rare for 9s to play 80 minutes these days, so there’s a base assumption you need two a game. For positions that have two on the field it’s normal to carry at least two depth players, and where they haven’t the Raiders have had troubles (think Corey Horsbrugh filling in on the edge). So I don’t hate having four on the top 30 roster. In a wider roster sense that breaks down like this: Fullbacks (2), OBs (8), Halves (4), Hookers (4) Props (8), Second rowers (4), Locks (2).

If you can count you’ll notice that’s more than 30. The Raiders sacrificed a backrow position this year and arguably only carried one lock in the top 30 (noting Hohepa Puru is on a trial-and-train contract this year). So you’ve got to find your efficiency somewhere. A lot of teams do that with a makeshift 9 (like the Raiders did with Matt Frawley, Aidan Sezer and Adam Elliott in the past). It works for some teams (see Phoenix Crossland at Newcastle, and even Lachlan Croker in a sense) but for me you don’t skimp on the spine.

Now as to whether the four they have are the right four…..well, that’s another question.

Are Saulo and Guler the same player? Would Mooney give us something different from the bench? Like young Willison has for the broncos recently.

Lyle on twitter

Lyle I want to address this is two parts. First let’s start with Saulo. I think what he brings to the team is somewhat overlooked. He’s all motor, offering decoy and support runs, and a heap of defensive work. He’s the only Raider consistently high in the Rugby League Eye Tests ‘involvement rate’, which measures the runs/tackles mix that players compile on a ration per minute. Canberra doesn’t get that elsewhere, so I tend to see that as important for balance from the middles.

Guler, and Mooney, however are closer to a match. Both are massive, able to utilise power and agility to get what they want. I don’t think it’s controversial to say that Mooney has more upside than Guler, and he should get more opportunities than he does. But Guler has that Sticky seal of approval. For now.

What is the Raiders’ record from short drop outs? By my maths it’s about 0 from 38 attempts

Graham on facebook

Yes but the key is to keep trying. They’re due!

Odds on a media blitz on Newcastle with their tails up and zero interest on Canberra? Surely it’s a near guarantee!

Sean on twitter

Sean your 100 per cent right. The Knights have their jousting sticks high. Which makes it the perfect conditions for an AMBUSH!

Am I stupid for thinking the warriors can win the comp?

Harry on twitter

Harry, no you are not stupid. The Warriors have an elite pack, anchored by Addin Fonua-Blake playing the best footy of his career, and Tohu Harris being Isaah Yeoh without the press. They have quality at every spine position (Wade Egan and Charzne in particular have been playing incredible footy). They play simple but efficient footy, pumping through the middle but connecting so easily with their edges under the calm but intelligent head of Shaun Johnson. It’s the 2019 Raiders with shape. I’m so jealous.

Why do people walk on the road not the footpath?

HeathCliff on twitter

Because people are beautiful and weird HealthCliff.

And maybe because footpaths are often poorly designed and maintained, largely due to a lack of public investment in infrastructure related to an ever reducing revenue base and a shifting role of the state in our lives. Wait I thought this was football…..

New joke team idea: The Dickie Knee All Star XIII. Campo at 6, Hodgo at 9. And yes I realise I’m going to hell for even thinking of this.

Tim on twitter

See when I put the call out for questions I thought i’d get more like this. Good stuff Tim. I’d add Badge and Zip Zip Zillman to the mix. Does Loz count? His knees were as dickie as they come, but he never missed huge amounts of time for it.

Watching the CC semi highlights this morning, are you similarly heartbroken that my hero Brad Schneider will end up somewhere else, when we could have secured him for ~nil for many years and have no 5/8 backup plan until at least 2025?

Dave on twitter

On a scale of 1 to 10, how depressed are you at seeing Semi and Schneider now thrive elsewhere? I’m now at a visibly agitated 7.

Bjschima on twitter

Will Schneider be playing in green next year?

Marcus on facebook

Who’s our 5/8 going to be in 2024?

Jamahl on facebook

Welcome to the darkest timeline of Raiders fandom. The absolute terror of a young player leaving the club because they weren’t given an opportunity, only for them to flourish elsewhere while Canberra can’t find a solution for the hole thy could fill.

I would say the following things about Brad. He’s a good footy player, and could definitely make it in first grade with the Milk. He’s a strong runner, good defender and empowered a bit more may be a more effective playmaker. But with the way the club talked about his departure (thanking him for his time etc), and the link to Ethan Sanders arrival, I think we may have seen the last of him. As to who takes that spot next year, whoever it is is probably taking on the dreaded ‘transitional’ tag. As long as it’s not Matt Frawley.

As for Semi I just want him to be happy.

What do you think the Raiders are going to do with Cotric? He’s on $650k by all accounts and playing reserve grade

Chris on facebook

Ooft this is getting a bit dark. I’ve seen big numbers floating around for Nic’s salary that I’m not sure are accurate. He left Canberra for 600k, and came back for less with the Dogs floating the difference. If he’s on 650 then it seems unlikely the Raiders are fronting it.

But that’s nitpicking. Whether it’s 550 or 650 it’s still a lot of coin for someone on the outside looking in. My feeling is Cotric got jumped by Hopoate this year, primarily on the basis of workrate. Rapana is locked in for next year but he’s starting to slow down. There’s the opening for Cotric, if he’s happy enough to wait around.

Do you think the raiders and Josh Hodgson are in a place to bring him back on the coaching staff with his imminent retirement coming?

God’s gift to podcasting, Mike on twitter

Speaking of people I want to be happy (Josh, not Mike…well I want Mike to be happy too….look you know what I mean).

To be frank I can’t see it while Sticky is there. It just seems like things ended about as sour as a lemon warhead (wow is that a dated reference). But when Sticky retires he has the brain and he’s an old boy – a perfect candidate. I just hope he wants to coach, and gets some experience elsewhere in the meantime.

If you could change one existing rule in the NRL, what would it be and why?

Andrew JP on facebook

After the weekend I really want the seven tackle set gone.

An extension of Andrew JP question. Some discussion on why we bother with the scrum these days – the ball is literally passed straight out the back (understand it gives the players a quick breather). Should we do a proper scrum like in rugby union ?Should we do away with it and if so what else could we do here ?

Karen on facebook

I am an unrepentant fan on the modern scrum. They are different to what they used to be. They’re no longer competitions for the ball. Scrums exist now to manufacture space – essentially you remove six forwards and for one play let the backs loose against each other. Some teams use it to run expansive plays. The best way the Raiders use it is to get Matt Timoko early ball in space.

As to an old fashioned scrum I reckon you need to remember how we got there. They were an unmitigated mess before they were moved out of the game, and the cause of injuries and worse. For what they’re meant for now you can achieve the same thing by having 12 dudes play hands-on-heads.

Why of why did we ever do away with the draw? When two teams have battled each other for 80 minutes surely they deserve a point each? Perhaps in finals extra time is needed? Deciding games on the ability of field goal kickers seems to be contrary to the reason we watch the running game that is Rugby League. Bring back the draw!

Fred on facebook

Fred I’m also an unquestioned fan of golden point, though I acknowledge there’s nothing wrong with draws. I like the chaos, the drama, and the fact that as soon as anyone says golden point, everyone but the two teams involved are excited.

How can we make the games more about the game and less about refereeing decisions, ie Raiders penalty try, Cronulla forward pass, it is such a frustrating game compared to most other team games throughout the world

John on Facebook

I live in Melbourne and can assure you every time I go to an AFL game most fans are more focused on the umpires than anything. Similarly in summer the men in white used to be the focus of our ire (though DRS has reduced that). On NBA twitter there’s as much discussion of block/charge calls as any specific play or tactic.

The tendency to let our passions be channeled at the refs is very human but counterproductive. It’s played on by a lazy media who find it easier to punch out a ‘controversy’ article for easy clicks, and to let their recency bias give them the false comfort of ‘analysis’. Watch any old game and you’ll see the referring is on the same improvement trajectory as the players.

Is Mat Thompson the best commentator Ch9 could find knowing Rabs was getting on?

HeathCliff on twitter.

HeathCliff my absolute dude. Nothing grinds my gears like the free-to-air commentary of Channel 9. It’s not that it doesn’t have good analysis, it’s just you have to sift through an unending pile of agendas to get to it.

The key thing to being a good play-by-play commentator is attention to detail and a love for the game. The commentators on Fox – love them or loathe them – all have that. Vossy is probably my favourite of those, and he loves the game and has a remarkable ability to remember almost everything he’s seen in his 40 odd years covering the game.

The king of all footy commentators is Andrew Moore on ABC Grandstand though (shouts also to Chris Coleman on Mix Canberra).

Ok this is getting a bit all over the place. Let’s get back to the Raiders.

Which backrower should we be buying to be on Crokers side of defence so we can get Jarrod to Cameron Smiths record of NRL games?

T Mac on twitter

Jarrod might be like the Black Knight if we try to get him to 430.

I love Jack and am sad he’s leaving but I feel there will be an upside. What do you think will be the positives in 2024 of the milk without him?

Nigel on facebook

People in Civic will breathe easier?

Seriously though the thing about Jack is that he’s a footy player who happens to play five-eighth, rather than a five-eighth. Having him at such a crucial ball playing position is probably a real reason Canberra’s attacking structure has been remarkably simple during his tenure. A new six with more of the skills we normally associate with the position should allow more complex movements. But boy will they miss everything else.

How can we make the most of out Xavier Savage, Matt Timoko and Sebastian Kris

David on facebook

Oh boy that’s a tough one. I genuinely preach patience with young players, but what you’ve got here is three players with very different trajectories. Timoko just needs time to perfect what is a really hard defensive position. He’s nearly got everything else sorted. Kris has done an admirable job in a tough situation this year. Is he a long term fullback? I don’t think so. Can he a job? Absolutely, and it’s a valuable thing to have up the sleeve going forward. He’s proven last year he’s a starting quality centre, who can man the left when Jarrod finishes up.

As for Savage, well that’s a tougher one to crack. I thought he was next, but I wonder if the club even sees him as a fullback long-term. Sticky clearly has some expectations about things he should be doing that he’s not. I hope X is clear on what they are. This is playing out like Father and Son. I hope it doesn’t end the same way.

If you could plug one player into the Raiders squad for the rest of the year, who would it be

Ben on facebook

Does it have to be a current player? Because fixing the Raiders right edge and left centre would be as easy as turning the clock back to 2016 and swapping Elliott and Jarrod for Elliott and Jarrod.

I have been following the Raiders my entire life but only recently started to pay attention to things like team selections, tactics and player form. As I have no control over any of this, I sometimes miss the old days of just rocking up to a game and enjoying a win or letting go of a loss, rather than picking it apart. As someone who knows the Raiders as well as anyone, do you ever feel the same?

Andrew on facebook.

Andrew my man, I dig. But once you turn it on I’m not sure you can turn it off.

We’re all in this together now.

Oh boy that was long. Sorry if we missed your question – I tried to answer them all. We’ll do it again soon. Do me a favour and like the page on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or share this on social media because Bruce is the coldest place in heaven. Don’t hesitate to send us feedback (dan@sportress.org) or comment below if you think we are stupid. Or if we’re not.