From the highs of the Round 1 win, we find ourselves in the slight lows of a Round 2 loss.
I say lows but even the most critical supporters would agree that last weekend’s loss certainly wasn’t the end of the world.
In seasons gone by, the boys may have dropped their heads a little and lost by far more than a respectable two tries.
There were plenty of positives to take out of last Sunday’s performance.
Despite not playing anywhere near their potential, the boys defended and defended and did I say, defended?
As the old saying goes, defence is attitude, and if that’s the case, there are signs of a great attitude in the squad in 2015.
Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t overly pleased with the result and I certainly wasn’t putting champagne on ice in celebration.
But for a game where almost nothing went right, an 18-6 score line isn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened.
So put a line through it and let’s move on to one of my favourite games of the year – the Dragons are in town!
Sure the hoodoo may be done for now but that just means we start a new one this weekend.
Dragons fans may well have cheered and carried on after last year’s victory over the Raiders but that’s what happens when you beat a team once every 15 years.
So treat yourself to wonderful Saturday night and make sure you’re there to watch the boys run around in Round 3 – there’s plenty to look forward to.
Expect a fired up Raiders forward pack. The Warriors put a bit of hurt on last weekend and our big boppers will be keen to get one back.
If Leeson Ah Mau and George Rose aren’t having nightmares already about big Shannon Boyd charging into their line, they sure will afterwards.
So if the Raiders can dominate the Dragons pack early, you’ll also get your money’s worth watching an excellent backline flourish.
Blake Austin was outstanding when he took the line on last week and expect him to do the same again.
Sisa Waqa is brutally powerful and watch for him as he looks to do more damage than just up in the air.
And all the talk about Jack Wighton leaving a huge hole in the side? Don’t get too carried away with it.
Jack Wighton is an outstanding fullback and sure he’ll be missed but Jordan Rapana is harder to catch than multinational corporations at tax time.
Expect a good bounce back this week. See you at the game!
