BY ROB

And so, dear reader, we arrive at the terminating station for the wild ride that has been the Canberra Raiders season in 2024. From devastating lows (Sharks, Roosters, etc) to exhilarating highs (Panthers, Roosters, Manly) the Raiders have served up nearly every conceivable effort on the rugby league spectrum. We’ve cheered, yelled, sworn and sighed.

In a better, more stable year the Raiders would be gearing up for September proper, and indeed at one point they were riding high earlier in the piece. But then disaster struck, taking out Jamal Fogarty and throwing the spine into chaos. The Raiders did their best to right the longship but by then the damage was done – they’d slid out of the 8 and couldn’t get back in.

On a sad note we’re also being denied one final game from club legends Elliot Whitehead and Jordan Rapana. Smell has humbly taken the early guilty plea for something which was entirely accidental (fuck the Roosters, Trent Robinson and the MRC) which means he’ll be watching from the sidelines this weekend. So too will Raps, hopefully with his face well on the road to recovery (fuck Tedesco, the Roosters and Trent Robinson). Nick Cotric will play on in NSW Cup and can hopefully go out a winner in a few weeks time.

So at 3pm on what should be a warm, early spring Saturday arvo Canberra will face off against also-rans the Dragons. Both teams have oscillated in and out of form, the Dragons almost incapable of stringing together back to back wins (they managed it once in rounds 6 & 7). Canberra doubled up at least three times throughout the season, most recently against the Panthers and Roosters, but there can be no argument that the mini season between the two byes was a four round disaster.

If Canberra have learnt one thing in the last two games it’s that a cohesive defensive effort can yield results. In both games they’ve pressurized a much better side into making frustrated mistakes, forcing errors and then capitalising quickly on their opponents misfortune. If they can repeat this they’ll have a good chance at derailing the Dragons.

Changes

The carnage of last week has seen a reshuffle in the Raiders line-up. Kaeo Weekes drops back to fullback in place of Rapana, while Fogarty and Strange return to resume their halves duties. Simi Sasagi, who quite frankly had his best game in green last round, takes up Whitehead’s spot in the second row, which in turn opens up a bench spot for Trey Mooney (which means for once the bench actually has three props/utility forwards on it).

The Opposition

The Red V were touted as one of the big improvers for 2024, but it only took two rounds for this hot take to rapidly cool. Their worst capitulation of the season was a 60-18 drubbing from the Roosters in rd18. If the Raiders can knock them off they’ll pass them on the ladder as well.

Match-ups

Jamal Fogarty vs Ben Hunt

Two experienced halves with exceptional kicking games go head to head. When he’s been on song Fogarty has had possibly the most devastating boot in the league, his lofted bombs wreaking havoc amongst uncertain receivers. While it’s not quite the beachfront setting of WIN stadium there should be enough breeze to help J-Fog catch the Dragons backs off guard. Hunt is an all-round rep player, and despite his so-so year cannot be underestimated when he has the ball in hand.

Kaeo Weekes vs Tyrell Sloan

Two absolute speed freaks trying to outpace each other should be quite the sight. Weekes has demonstrated an uncanny ability to slice through the line, like some sort of human mag-lev train. Tyrell Sloan meanwhile had a field day in the second half against the Eels last week, carving up Parra’s defence at will.

In Conclusion

So here we are. For the second time since 2019 the Raiders will be holidaying after the regular season (yes, there is a slight mathematical chance but it’s so highly improbable it might as well be zero). There have been glimpses of the future this year, but we’ll need to see much, much more in 2025. Right now, however, we could just enjoy, and cheer for, the luxury of three straight wins.

Raiders by 56+ with a huge helping of Hot Blood & Courage!

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.