Would you get mad if I told you the effort was there?
We’ve heard that a lot this season, but after the last couple of weeks, the loss against the Eels doesn’t seem so bad.
Whether you agree with that or not, you’d be hard pressed to find a Raiders fan that wasn’t at least a little bit heartened to see some defensive resolve.
It’s been a long time since we’ve that sort of commitment in defence and I hope it doesn’t stop there.
For weeks we’ve been hoping to see some good signs for the future and that’s surely a step in the right direction.
Maybe it was the injection of youth, or a good week at training, or perhaps getting out of town and away from the pressure… Whatever it was, it was better.
It wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but there was at least some heart.
And what better weekend could you possibly hope for that improvement to continue, than against our hoodoo victims, the Dragons?
Every year this is my favourite game, and for good reason. The hoodoo has provided a lot of entertainment in its own right over the years.
If you’re new to the hoodoo, the Dragons haven’t won a game in Canberra since the year 2000.
So if you remember jamming out to ‘Teenage Dirtbag’, watching American Beauty, buying a brand new Playstation 2, or maybe you were just pumped for Nikki Webster’s opening ceremony performance, then you just might remember the last time the Dragons won in the Nation’s Capital.
Not only has the infamous hoodoo provide entertainment in its own right, but Raiders/Dragons games have produced some of the best games of Rugby League you’re likely to see.
Come from behind victories, last minute tries, Origin like performances… You name it, Raiders/Dragons games have produced it.
Who could forget Reece Robinson scoring off a Sam Williams pass with just minutes to go in 2012 to seal the win?
Or dare I bring it up, Josh Dugan’s last second victory against the Red V in Round 20 2011?
All wonderful memories and I hope the boys are able to feed off that history this Saturday.
Say what you will, but the mighty green machine have been written off so many times against the Dragons, but proved the doubters wrong nearly every time.
I don’t know what it is about that dirty red and white jersey, but when the boys line up against it, more often than not, they bring their ‘A game’.
So even if you’re willing on the commencement of 2015, make sure you get to GIO Stadium Canberra this Saturday, or tune in if you’re out of town.
It will be well worth your time. Go Raiders!
