Sometimes it’s hard to know what stings more. A loss like the one against the Sharks, or a close one like the Brisbane loss.
Especially when it’s a close loss where the boys just didn’t play all that well. Errors were costly.
Against a side like Brisbane, those errors are costly. Time and time again, Brisbane were gifted attacking territory.
Eventually the line broke, as it eventually does if you give the opposition enough ball.
But with the bad news, comes a whole lot of good news.
Errors can be eliminated. At the start of the year when match fitness isn’t quite what it should be, they’ll come more than any team would like.
On top of that, the loss was by a measly point. It’s a pretty incredible result when you think about it.
45% possession, 15 errors, and playing one of the hardest away legs in the game. On paper, you’d expect a team to be beaten by 13+ with those statistics.
But for the most part, the Raiders’ defensive line held and held well. Not only that, they counter attacked when by all rights, they should’ve been too exhausted to pull it off.
In saying that, the Green Machine is here to win games, not just compete. It’s time to get the season back on track.
Of course I look forward to every Raiders game but this one especially so.
There are match ups all over the park that are incredibly enticing. Wighton has started 2017 like he finished 2016. Will he show up the lightning Bevan French?
Can young gun Nick Cotric contain the juggernaut that is Radradra? Will the Raiders pack outmuscle the hardworking pack of the Eels?
Of course as a Raiders fan, my answer to those questions is yes, yes and yes.
While the sun is shining, GIO Stadium is a great place to be, but there’s something special about the Saturday night specials as well.
Winter is hinting it’s on its way, making opposition teams feel that little bit more uncomfortable.
And with the proposition of no work on Sunday for many in the crowd, dare I say things sound that little bit more boisterous? No second guesses as to why.
Add to that the sounds of the Viking horn bellowing out in the night, the power of the Viking Clap and just the sheer open running game the Raiders play and there’s plenty to like about Saturday night.
Also, if you catch a lunatic in a green suit come over and say hi. Some head to Vegas for their bucks weekend, some Canberrans head to the South Coast, Sydney, and perhaps even Wollongong.
But yours truly will be celebrating with all of you. I wouldn’t miss the Raiders for the world!
Go the Raiders and here’s hoping for a big win!
