Canberra Raiders Coach Ricky Stuart says the team needs to focus on best preparing themselves for the season ahead and not get caught up in any external analysis of the teams 2016 draw.
The Raiders received favourable reviews from external media organisations about their 2016 schedule of matches, with pundits suggesting the Raiders have a more favourable draw then some of their opposition clubs.
However Ricky Stuart said the team will not be drawn into thinking they have any type of advantage and said the team still needed to perform regardless of who and where they were playing matches.
"I'm not a big fan of hypotheticals. It’s a calendar of events not a crystal ball,” Stuart said. “We need better results at home and keep working hard on our strong away performances.
The Raiders finished with just three wins from their 12 matches at GIO Stadium in 2015, with seven of their nine losses decided by seven points or less. Stuart said the goal for the Raiders in 2016 was to reverse the home record and maintain their away performances.
“We had a positive for and against at home last season, but we need to turn our wins and losses around,” Stuart said.
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Stuart said the importance of support for the team was paramount and said he hoped the team’s attitude and effort to begin the pre-season would be rewarded with strong crowds at GIO Stadium in 2016.
“We need all our fans in the community and our region to get on board and help support us,” Stuart said. “The guys have started their pre-season with the right application and I hope our members and fans are as excited as we are.”
