BY DAN

How did you spend the last three days?

Basking in the glow of victory, consuming every piece of content you can that actually talked about the game? It wasn’t a long list (you can still read our review) as the Fox/Tele outfits were more intent on having a chat about whether Hudson Young should have been binned (sadly duh). Maybe you got in the lab and started using the ladder predictor (does it work this early in the season? I’ve never looked) and working out flights and accommodation in Sydney for the first week of October. Maybe you spent it just bathing in the sun of it all. Since Canberra won on Thursday it’s been a heatwave. I can only assume it’s the impact of the vibrations of the loins of millions, no billions, of Raiders’ fans worldwide.

Three days of glorious sunshine doesn’t make a summer. There’s still work to be done and it’s best to do it now, lest we make like grasshoppers. There were so many good things out of Thursday’s game. The defence primary amongst them. The Knights helped matters with an impatience and an imprecision that meant Canberra’s errors went unpunished but that haste was born from a frustration gifted by surprising resoluteness. Last season the Knights attacked at three points with a pace and precision that the Raiders couldn’t handle. Two punches in the middle. Shift left, shift right. That was usually enough to end the Milk’s protests. On Thursday they tried to same, and instead the men in green regarded them with curiosity just like Walt Whitman would have wanted (Barbeque Sauce. Boom), waited a moment, and folded them.

The attack had moments, none of which were anything resembling the structured attack that other good sides have. We had hoped for more but it seems that if that’s coming it’s going to build with time over the year. The game plan so far is stripped back. Win the middle, play opportunistic footy particularly on the back of offloads, and kick your way to victory. Thankfully Jamal Fogarty delivered.

Morgan Smithies played an intriguing part too, a big role in tying up the middle and providing connecting service. He played 69 minutes, made 44 tackles, ran 100 odd metres, and didn’t look tired. Corey Horsburgh routinely played similar minutes in a similar role last year. I can’t wait to see how Smithies presence expands the options for Horsburgh’s use. Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii both were excellent, as was Pasami Saulo. With Ata Mariota looking ready I hope Stick has a bit of courage in choosing his middle rotation (looks at Emre….don’t be scared Rick – fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration).

They’ll need more than that but it can be built from what they have. A solid defence and a good kicking game is in any ‘good football team’ starter pack. They’ll continue to build on that as returning players fill the squad. Seb Kris will likely come in for Albert Hopoate this week, strengthening a surprising strength. I’d said pre-game I didn’t like the match-up of Bert v the Knights’ edges. He did fine. But Kris is another step up and I’m wondering if he might provide Ethan Strange some of the supporting ball-play that Jarrod Croker often provided Jack Wighton. There may be a similar effect on the other side of the field, with Zac Hosking’s no-frills hard-line running might provide both Jamal Fogarty an extra option and Matt Timoko a reason for eyes to look elsewhere. I’d call him a revelation but we’d all flagged this as a possibility.

A more open and expansive attack will require two things. Given the persistence with two rakes with narrower focus than a Sky News host, the Raiders will need one of Horse or the Gobbledok on the field at all times in order to get the ball beyond the middle third. Joey Taps plays that role but it’s mostly in a terrifying tandem with Josh Papalii. Besides my preference is he’s tearing into the line as a priority, and thinking pass as afterthought.

Secondly they’ll need to embrace and expanded role for Ethan Strange. He only touched the ball 22 times against the Knights, which is the same as Hudson Young, one more than Xavier Savage, and substantially less than Jordan ‘short-side’ Rapana (40 touches). I suspect this relatively limited involvement was planned for; a structured hand-holding for a responsibility that outsized his experience. But as he showed on Rapa’s late try there’s plenty more he can offer. I’ll be looking to see how his role changes and expands in the coming weeks.

A good start is just that and only goes as long as Canberra keep improving. A foundation is to build on and the main focus is it is consistent and repeatable enough that more lavish expansions can be offered. If the Raiders can begin each game with Thursday as their baseline they’ll win plenty of games this year. Piecing together more will be more up and down than your mood during a game. As Stick said in the press conference it’s only game one. But after Thursday a successful build feels little more possible.

Like the page on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or share this on social media and I’ll tell you of all the times I’ve heard my name, never has it felt more true, never have I felt more alive than when it floats off your lips . Don’t hesitate to send us feedback (dan@sportress.org) or comment below if you think we are stupid. Or if we’re not.