The less said about last weekend’s loss, the better. Unfortunately, it would be a terrible article if I were to cut it off here, so a few things will have to be said.
The crowd was pumped, the weather pleasant, footy had returned to the nation’s capital.
What didn’t return however, was our 2016 form. It was uuuugly.
Well the second half anyway. In the first half, the boys looked okay. They defended reasonably and looked sharper with the return of Jack Wighton.
But the brief period after halftime saw a shift. The green machine looked tired as perhaps the extra defensive work in the first half took its toll.
It was a disappointing period we couldn’t recover from. It was brutal. It’s hard to imagine how it all came to be as well.
If a Viking Clap ushered in by Alan Tongue on a giant Viking horn doesn’t rev you up, nothing will.
Fortunately though, it was only round 2. There’s no need to panic just yet.
It always takes a couple of rounds for sides to find their feet, and after 2 straight losses, the Raiders will be looking to do exactly that.
Back at home once again, our boys will be keen to get back on track against the Tigers.
Recently, it’s been an opposition we’ve enjoyed playing, but it doesn’t mean the joint venture will be easy beats on Sunday.
Across both games last year, the Raiders beat the Tigers by an accumulative 112-16. If that’s not motivation for revenge, I don’t know what is.
Led by their enforcer Aaron Woods, and with halves that can score 60 on their day but concede 60 on a different day, the Raiders will need to be ready for anything.
It’s time to get the season on track and taking the Tigers lightly won’t be the way to do it.
In fact, an introspective approach is absolutely vital. For 2 weeks straight, there has been far too much ball gifted to the opposition.
It’s time to batten down the hatches. Less dropped ball, less penalties. A disciplined approach will be a winning approach.
I’m sure everyone’s sick of the taste of defeat. It’s time for that sweet, sweet taste of victory. Go Raiders!
MATCH PREVIEW: RAIDERS V TIGERS
