I love a win. I love a win against the South Sydney, and I love a win on the road.
A win against the odds is the best kind of win, and last week’s victory, was certainly a win against the odds.
The boys are often written off away from home and against ‘big’ opposition.
Not only did the boys come up with a win when so many had written them off, but they also did it with 15 men for a large part of the game. A big congrats, boys!
I have to say, I’m not overly superstitious but when I took a slight jab at Lote in last week’s article, I was slightly concerned he might do a little damage.
Fortunately, he played true to his (poor) form and our boys capitalised. Nicely done!
A special mention does need to go the forward pack for dominating one of the biggest packs in the game.
A clear highlight was the moment Joel Edwards put fear into the opposition by turning Ben Teo into a folding chair at the end of the first half.
Who knows what other furniture he may have channelled if it wasn’t for an unfortunate concussion that left him unable to finish the game?
The bloke was on fire defensively as he has been all year.
This week sees the pride of the nation (‘s capital) take on the Penny Panthers.
In what shapes up to be a great game, both sides should be itching to take away the two points.
The mighty Raiders will look to defy the critics once more and notch up yet another away win, while the Panthers will have inspiration of their own after a disappointing loss to local rivals the Parramatta Eels in Round 4.
Jamie Soward will be very keen to get a win over the Green Machine.
His former club, the Dragons, have found it excruciatingly hard to overcome the Raiders and here’s a not so fun fact - he scored a club record, 22 points, the last time the Dragons beat the Raiders, back in 2007.
Let’s hope he takes his hoodoo form into the game and not that 2007 form.
The battle of the halves will be an interesting one and I’m looking forward the ever improving Jack Wighton taking on that man, Jamie Soward.
As always, the dominant forward pack will have a lot to say about who will win this game.
The Raiders showed amazing grit to overcome the Burgess Octuplets last week and we’ll need that same aggression this week.
Origin prop Tim Grant comes back in to the mix for the Panthers and he’ll be keen to make a mark on his return.
Another key battle is that of the fullbacks. Anthony Milford has been outstanding at the back, and last weekend, he showed he doesn’t even have to be moving to cause the defensive line concern.
What a great try that was!
An impressive performance here will turn those Origin whispers into a legitimate conversation.
Matt Moylan will also be out to show fans that he deserves to be spoken about in the same breath.
He’ll have extra motivation as he’s yet to notch up a meat pie this year and what better place to do so than against the form fullback in the competition?
In any case, this week’s game should be a cracker of a match up and despite the bookies’ projections, I’m feeling confident those two points are coming home with us.
Safe travels to those fans making the away trip and happy viewing for those watching on the big screen.
Go Raiders!!!!
