Last week was a case of another close game, another loss unfortunately.
They’re painful to swallow for green machine fans. We’ve been in a close scrap or 2 this year but haven’t found a way to win them.
As we know these games can be the difference at the business end. We certainly had our chances to win it as well. These games just haven’t gone our way yet.
The green machine goal line defence was insanely good and it seemed Manly would never cross our line.
But a ricochet off a grubber kick opened up the scoring for the away side and from there it was game on.
Unfortunately, the Green Machine found it difficult to control possession. Fatigue appeared to take its toll.
2 misreads in defence cost the boys dearly and it was another golden point down the drain.
Fortunately for the mighty Raiders it’s only round 9 and nobody wants to peak in the first third of the season.
Yes it’s frustrating when things don’t seem to click. Yes fans will look at the table and results and believe the team should be sitting higher.
Things will come together and the team will start firing though. It’s just a matter of time.
And when they do, the NRL will sit up and take notice once again. There’s a reason opposition teams are showing up to our games with their game faces on.
Plain and simple, they are worried. And they should be. The Raiders have one of the most electrifying sides in the competition.
Anyone who thinks a brick wall can be built to keep the likes of Croker, Leilua, and Rapana out for long, has rocks in their head.
Top form for these boys and the side is coming, and when it does, look out!
Hopefully it all starts coming together a little more smoothly this weekend. Another danger game, the Bulldogs can play tough and ugly.
Not a side to be turned off by an arm wrestle, they’ll be out to frustrate our boys and get into the grind.
Players like Reynolds, James Graham and Klemmer do it better than anyone. So the Green Machine will need to be prepared to stick it to them.
Their confidence can be broken and the Raiders need to do it early. The longer it stays a scrap, the more the dogs will fancy themselves.
It’s time to stand up and stick it to the other side. And if last week’s rough game wasn’t cause for motivation against a similar opponent, I’m not sure what is.
Our boys can do it and will fancy themselves to do so. Go you Raiders!!!
MATCH PREVIEW: RAIDERS V BULLDOGS
