BY ROB

We must start with two tragedies this week dear friends in green. Firstly, the sad tale of my friends and I being too slow to organise tickets to the last home game of the year, which had promptly sold out by Tuesday afternoon. The second, much greater tragedy is the season ending injury to Xavier Savage.

X has had a great year. He’s still growing, both in physical terms and in his mastery of the wing position. But his transformation from a skinny youngster blessed with raw pace into a proper first grader who is developing a skill set to enhance his speed has been mesmerising. We wish him well in his recovery and look forward to what he’ll do in 2026.

And now to the final home game of the year. Last week’s encounter in Mudgee was one of the most dour and disinteresting games- just kidding! You could synthesize that golden point finish and sell it to people at night clubs and festivals. The exhilarating conclusion between the current competition leaders and the reigning premiers will go straight to the footy Hall of Fame.

So for the second week running the Raiders find themselves staring down a bunch of big cats. It hasn’t been quite the season the Tigers were hoping for, but they have managed to climb up out of the hole in the basement floor. They currently reside in 11th place, which is a bit closer to the top 8 than it is to the spoon.

Unfortunately for the men from western Sydney they have to take on the rampaging Raiders, who are currently riding the only kind of high allowed by WADA, in front of what will be frenzied home crowd at maximum capacity.

These two sides last met in round 16 in Campbelltown, with the Raiders emerging victorious 16-12 after the Tigers tried a feisty second half comeback. Sadly for Wests the Raiders have grown in confidence and cohesion since that game.

Savage’s untimely injury does however intersect perfectly with the return of Savelio Tamale, who will take up the wing spot outside Matt Timoko. Tamale was on fire during the first half of the season and fans will be salivating to see what he can serve up on Saturday.

The Raiders still need to win both remaining games to ensure they claim the minor premiership, but Sticky will no doubt be reminding them to follow the processes that have served them so well this season.

Defensively they will need to stay on top of the likes of Luai, Bula and Koroisau as well the Tigers new(ish) five eighth Latu Fainu, who is a very good runner of the ball.

I could rave on about individual Raiders ad nauseum, but I think we’re all well aware now that we’re watching a squad playing with peak team spirit. Veterans energised by the new blood playing alongside them, youngsters playing with near-invincible abandon, all of them guided and nurtured by one of Canberra’s favourite sons.

If you’re lucky enough to be at the game on Saturday then rug up – it’s forecast for a blistering maximum of 11°. If you’re going to be at home like me break out the snacks, dial up the volume and cheer like you’re in the stands.

In Conclusion

“There is no fate but what we make”

Hasta la vista, Tigers

Raiders to romp it in 20+!

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