Yuck – I feel like I’ve crawled through the Shawshank tunnel, only to remain filthy on the other side.
Two weeks straight of fifty plus drubbings doesn’t exactly breed fan enthusiasm but this isn’t the time to walk away.
Sure, some fans would like to send a message of their own by turning the television off before the siren sounds, or perhaps by not showing up the following week.
But as a true Raiders tragic, I sit through every minute of those bad times because the good times will feel a whole lot sweeter for having done so.
Plus, if some fans choose to stay away this week, my voice will be heard that much more clearly on the ground.
And trust me when I say this, the boys don’t want to hear what I’ve got to say during games like that.
My tip; find a good place to vent. Some people complain to their friends, their wives, their husbands, their dogs, or their dog’s former owner’s second cousin removed. You get the picture.
Me? I find a good Twitter rant hopeful. A mini plug, you can find me at @RussellWAyres.
Where ever you choose to vent, vent hard and then move on because as fans we've got to gear up for another week.
The boys need a crowd behind them and us fans could do with the camaraderie.
Rant over, there are plenty of reasons to put off the housework and get to GIO Stadium Canberra this Sunday.
First of all, the Raiders have a new look team and you can be sure a few boys are looking at a holiday from first grade if performances don’t improve.
Josh McCrone sees himself back in the halves with Terry Campese, with Jack Wighton pushed back into the centres, a more comfortable position for now.
It’s also the debut for Raiders winger Mosese Pangai.
While many were predicting the re-birth of Sami Sauiluma, Mosese has received the call up to first grade so get out there and wish him well.
Word also has it that young gun Mitch Cornish is still a chance at his first grade debut, so if you like surprises, this Sunday might be the game for you. No guarantees though...
Personally, I’m glad to see Jarrad Kennedy back in the side. Jarrad would tackle a rabid pit bull if it meant saving a try, and at times like these, attitude is everything.
The side looks a little more balanced to me, so I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing how they perform. I hope you are too.
If you’re still struggling for reasons to get to GIO Stadium on Sunday, then shame on you! Just kidding, I won’t judge you, but here’s one more reason.
A quick weather check tells me it’s going to be sunny and 19 degrees.
Now I don’t know about you but I need to stock up on as much vitamin D as possible before the polar ice caps move into Canberra for a few months.
A tan (unlikely but hopeful), good mates and the Canberra Raiders turning their season around. Sounds like a perfect Sunday to me. See you there!
