What a difference a week can make? I feel better already.
We’re certainly not out of the woods where they source wooden spoons, but it was definitely worth celebrating.
Speaking of wood, Anthony Milford take a bow, what a carve up? (wood carving if you missed the reference).
Between him and Jarrod Croker, it looked like we could’ve scored 100. Untouchable, unbeatable, unbelievable!
And sure, Milford’s outstanding performances are bittersweet as I’ve heard it described, but we’ve known of his departure for some time now. Just enjoy the show while it lasts.
It wasn’t all the work of one or two men though, it was a team effort.
I’m no stats guru but having four forwards breach 100m and with help from the already mentioned backs, the team went for over 1600m.
This is where you perform an impressed sounding whistle.
And keep that whistle sounding, because would you believe, the Raiders actually had less time with the ball, at 49 per cent? Outstanding!
It’s been a while since we’ve seen the boys not only win, but win handsomely. It’s a good feeling isn’t it?
I don’t know about you, but I’m very hopeful the feeling continues this weekend as we take on our bunnies in the south, the Melbourne Storm.
The Raiders have won the last three against the Storm in Melbourne, and who could forget the win earlier this year when the fleet footed Paul Vaughan crashed over at the death for the match winner?
So it should be an easy peasy win, right? Of course, I’m kidding.
The Storm are a quality side and our boys will have to bring their A-game.
They’ve lost two in a row, including a low scorer against the Bulldogs last week, and they’ll come out firing.
They’re also sitting in 8th place and will be keen to move up the ladder in the race to the finals.
But the Storm are predictable. We all know what’s coming but the issue is, how do you stop it?
Three names, Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk, and Billy Slater. Shut them down and you shut the game down.
If they’re given space to weave their magic, it’ll be a long day. Fast line speed is an absolute necessity.
Get up in their faces and give them no time to play their game.
In attack, there’s one thing the Storm can defend it’s a predictable structure, so an unpredictable attack is key.
The boys need to throw the ball around, get the offloads happening and play off the cuff footy. In a smart way of course.
Perfectly perfected, the Storm will struggle to contain it.
Sounds easier than it is, but it’s definitely not impossible.
And of course, there’s one more thing the Storm don’t have: they’re not the mighty Raiders!
Come on boys, let’s go two in a row!
