BY ROB

It feels like a lifetime since that plucky round 1 win over the Knights. Since that game the Raiders season has pretty much collapsed in a heap. Injuries and other dramas took their toll, and what should have been a Canberra squad with ok depth became a very shallow pool of players for Ricky to not pick from.

Like any other level-headed fan I understand the need for consistency in the early rounds, the desire to name your best 17 available. Alas the season has gotten away from the Raiders, but yet Stick doggedly remains loyal to a line-up that doesn’t work, no matter how many times you beg, plead, instruct, cajole or threaten.

The most likely scenario over these last three games is that the Raiders get comprehensively pumped by the Panthers and Roosters, and then maybe get close to the Dragons in the final round (I wouldn’t hold your breath though, the Canberra defensive line is as coordinated as a group of sugar-high five year olds trying to pin the tail at a birthday party).

The rational school of thought would be to look to the future, and maybe blood some of the youngsters that either haven’t had a go or have had a go that was severely restricted by a cruel head knock (Jordan Martin and Hohepa Puru).

Unfortunately for fans Ricky has a different view of rational, which is why we’ve ended up with a bench of departing and/or undercooked players. I respect that the NSW Cup squad are in prime position for a finals run, and maybe Sticky and co believe that banking a good finish in cup this year will benefit those who enter the top grade next year.

If there’s some good news to be had it’s that we’re officially spoon-free for yet another year. Our nine wins put us comfortably out of reach from the long suffering Eels and Tigers. The bad news is we can still plummet as low as 15th.

Saturday also marks the last time that Elliott Whitehead will run out in front of a home crowd. He’s been here so long it’s hard to remember what the team looked and felt like pre-Smell, and it will be interesting to see how the Green Machine operates without him next year (big shoes Mr Nicholson).

It could also be the last time we see Jordan Rapana in green at home too (we expect to hear from Jordan about this very soon). Over a decade ago he was just some young guy making a return from sabbatical, getting his skull cracked open like Jackie Chan and then playing through the rest of that game. He has epitomised so much of the Raiders story in that time – freakish talent and exceptional effort, riddled with passion and some erratic choices. He’s arguably one of the greatest wingers the club’s ever had and his return could be enough to spark this struggling side.

At this point you’re probably wondering when I’m going to shut up and get to those sub-headers, but I’m afraid the enthusiasm for in-depth examination of the Raiders chances has pretty much evaporated now.

I fully expect the Raiders to lose this game – I’d just like for them to have an actual go.

Raiders by 56+! (Go and watch the highlights from round 22, 2008)

Rob is the best human I know so you should follow him on Twitter here. Or you can do us a solid and like our page on Facebook, or share this on social media. Don’t hesitate to send us feedback (dan@sportress.org) or comment below if you think we are stupid. Or if we’re not.