Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.
Sure we could’ve played better. We turned over too much ball and were penalised like it was double demerits weekend.
But the ball didn’t bounce our way, we didn’t get the rub of the green, and it wasn’t meant to be.
Pick your own cliché.
When a poor last tackle option ends with Jason Nightingale of all people casually kicking the ball 40 metres into touch, you just have to wonder who broke mirrors in the company of black cats under ladders or something similar.
When it wasn’t lady luck snubbing our boys, the officials took their shot as well.
Who knows what would’ve been had Jarrod Croker not been on the wrong end of a dubious double movement call early in the match?
The fact is though, it wasn’t awarded a try and we certainly can’t blame the loss on that decision alone.
So dry those eyes and let’s notch it up as better luck next time.
The beauty of a loss is the chance of redemption.
The Raiders will be very well placed to take out any frustrations against the Bulldogs this Sunday at GIO Stadium.
Not only will we carry a little fire in our belly from last weekend’s disappointing loss, but a few of the boys will be out to show Origin selectors where they got it wrong.
Paul Vaughan, Josh Papalii. Jarrod Croker, and Blake Austin all would’ve thought they’d be in with a chance of running out next Wednesday night.
They’ll all be itching to get out there and make a real statement.
But New South Wales’ and Queensland’s loss is our gain.
Our boys will be running out with a near full strength line up this Sunday while the Bulldogs will be missing a couple of their stars.
Josh Morris, Trent Hodkinson, Josh Jackson, and Dave Klemmer will all be missing from the Dogs’ line up, which is a good leg up for our boys.
But if we get carried away, thinking two points is in the bag, we’ll be in some trouble.
The Bulldogs still have a very good side that includes a monster forward pack and high energy five-eighth Josh Reynolds.
But fear not, I have no doubt the boys will be amped and ready to go.
If seeing a certain former team member celebrate a win doesn’t burn away at you and fire you up for the following week, I don’t know what will.
So get out there boys and absolutely rip in. We’ve put ourselves in a strong position so far in 2015 and it’s time to build on those foundations.
Up the Raiders!
