On the back of a heartbreaking golden point loss, it would be easy to get a little bitter.
Jonathan Thurston can seemingly do no wrong at times. Even his awful drop goal attempt had a silver lining.
It was Jason Hetherington who once spoke of, I believe Andrew Johns at the time (it could have been someone else) and said, “the way he’s playing, he could put his hand down the toilet and pull out a gold watch.”
Fast forward a good 20 years or so and he could very well have been talking about Thurston.
There are plenty of people who will claim it was planned. I’m still shaking my head.
But in saying that, it’s all swings and roundabouts I suppose. We may have just received a taste of how Knights fans felt in round 17 last year, when in extra time a loose field goal attempt was pounced on by Jordan Rapana to seal an incredible come from behind victory.
Despite the pain though, while the Raiders didn’t pick up the 2 points, there was enough out there to give us the moral victory.
Our boys were on the wrong end of a hideous penalty count. Time and time again, the Cowboys were gifted attacking opportunities.
Off the back of that, it meant the mighty green machine also saw little ball. And if no ball, and a string of penalties doesn’t hurt enough, throw in a questionable sin bin to cap it all off.
Most teams, away from home in the heat of Townsville, would’ve melted under those conditions.
But our boys did not. They stayed in the game up to their ears and but for the call of a forward pass, could have won it. Alas, it wasn’t to be.
And so on we march in a bid to make amends for the frustrating loss. And who better to take it out on than a club we actually have a score to settle with.
Oh Sharkies. If the painful finals loss to your kind last year wasn’t enough, the Viking Clap drama certainly has not been forgotten.
The welcome mat certainly won’t be rolled out for men from the shire, nor the infamous Michael Ennis who will be down as part of the commentary team.
It will be a heated game, with plenty of passion both on and off the field. This is the stuff Rugby League was born on. Strong rivalries and passionate fans. No one willing to give an inch.
The GIO Stadium crowd will be out in impressive numbers, expecting an absolute blockbuster!
So if you’re in or around Canberra, this is one game you don’t want to miss. Get your Viking Clap ready because it’s back!
Saturday night, 7:30, be there! If you can’t make it, tune in and cheer the mighty men in green home.
It’s time to put a win on the board, and it’s time to get even with Cronulla. Go Raiders!!!
