BY ROB

I’m sitting in my armchair, exhausted after work, full of delicious kebab. It’s Thursday evening and the Raiders next attempt at football is now less than 48 hours away. There’s just one problem.

They’re not very good.

Some people seem to think it’s all Sanders fault, as though a young half who’s barely reached double figures in NRL appearances should be held responsible for the maddening brain fades produced by his senior peers.

Some people want to blame the backline, a collection of talented youngsters who are currently being plagued by the collective yips.

Frankly it’s just the natural rise and fall of rugby league teams. Some teams operate on grand scales – Penrith’s 4-peat, Melbourne’s near eternal residence in the top 8. Other teams wobble in and out of style like celestial bodies trapped in the gravity of a more imperious object.

The reason the Raiders plunge into mediocrity seems so bad this year is because of the height they’ve fallen from. Minor premiers to second last is quite the tumble.

This weekend they face a team who have been wallowing in the basement for a few years, but are now finally on the escalator to footy relevance. Wave as they go past us.

The frustrating aspect of the Raiders current situation is that things would and could be a lot better if they’d just settle down and re-learn the most basic elements of rugby league.

I can’t write anything specific about the game bearing down on us. The world has demonstratively lost its mind this week. Catch the ball. That’s solid advice.

I just need a Green Machine victory to wash over me while I sit in my chair and devour snacks.

In Conclusion

Optimistic Rob is on holiday and cynical Rob is covering the Rumble until optimism and the Raiders return.

Bunnies by 12+

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