BY ROB

The Raiders travelled to far north Queensland this week, where the Cowboys promptly served them a 26-0 beating. Suffice it to say that the Raiders were beaten as much by themselves as they were by the Cows.

The odds were against the Green Machine before kick-off with star half Zahara Temara removed from the line-up. Temara has clearly been playing under a cloud the last few weeks and was in need of a break.

Without a creative 7 controlling things it quickly became apparent that the Raiders were operating as a collection of 17 players rather than a cohesive team. The style of play (as much as you could call it that) was the most basic one-out-and-run, and they couldn’t even manage that.

The Cowboys had 100% possession for the first 7 minutes, which led to their first try. The Raiders tried to scramble as much as they could but a lack of coordination and lateral ability meant they couldn’t stave off the Cows quick outside backs.

If things looked dire in defence they were even worse for Canberra with the ball in hand. Or rather with the ball fleetingly in hand. The Raiders could only manage a completion rate of 57%, finishing just 19 of 33 sets. There wasn’t anywhere they couldn’t drop it either. Losing it on the try-line whilst searching for that first try, coughing it up midfield to put the Cows back in attack or deep in their own red zone.

The mistakes weren’t just on the new recruits and rookies. Seasoned vets and rep players were routinely dropping the ball, either flubbing basic things like just holding onto the bloody Steeden whilst trying to stand up to play it or putting down (wayward) passes.

On the occasions where they did reach their fifth tackle option it became abundantly clear that neither Thomas or Naitokatoka currently have the skill set to steer this side out of a jam. Sets ended with players getting tackled for a turnover, and when they did manage to get to a kick it usually only gained them 30 odd metres, meaning that the Cows were more often than not comfortably starting sets from their own 40 metre line.

I could single out more players for things in this game but it just feels mean at this point. You and I love this team and desperately want them to succeed. Piling more criticism on them at this point would just be an exercise in mean-spirited futility.

The best thing we can do for our beleaguered NRLW Raiders is tune in and show up week in and week out so they don’t have to suffer alone.

Do me a favour and like the page on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or share this on social media and I’ll tell you the four words you need to know to be able to beatbox. Don’t hesitate to send us feedback (dan@sportress.org) or comment below if you think we are stupid. Or if we’re not.