SG Ball Cup Preview: Finals Week 2

The Raiders suffered a disappointing 30-28 golden point loss to the Rabbitohs in the first week of finals last Sunday.

Canberra showed their dominance in the first half, heading to the sheds on top but penalties plagued them in the last minutes of the match and denying them an opportunity to book an early spot in the grand final.

Finishing the regular season in second position allows the Raiders’ side one more chance to secure a preliminary final position.

Coach Rourke O’Sullivan acknowledged the team had many opportunities to secure the win but couldn’t quite finish the job.

“There were definitely a few lessons, we’ve really been working on our execution, also a bit of our discipline was poor at times. They would be some real good lessons that we’ve been working on during the week at training.”

Although the team lost their first finals match, O’Sullivan commended the effort they put in, not just on the weekend, but for the whole season.

“The effort’s always there, the boys never stopped trying on the weekend and it’s been a bit of a theme all season. So definitely that is a real positive and we’re also looking to take that into this weekend.”

“We’ve had a couple of really good sessions, just sort of working on that execution and discipline to obviously be better this weekend because you know the Bulldogs are going to be a good side and we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge.”

The last time Canberra took on the Bulldogs was in round one with the boys in green coming out on top 40-22.

Although the Bulldogs only just made finals, finishing in 8th place in the regular season, O’Sullivan knows they have improved as a team since.

“It was a long time ago. We’re a different team now and they’ve improved and they’re different as well.”

“It’s a new game. It’s a semi-final, it’s do or die. We know they’re going to come really prepared to play well and we are as well, so yeah looking forward to the challenge.”

O’Sullivan has named an unchanged side for this week’s clash. His main message to the team is to enjoy the adrenaline that an elimination final brings.

“I guess a big one is to obviously just enjoy it. You know this is the time of year that we train really hard for and going into a do or die game is awesome.”

“It’s why a lot of people play footy and obviously only being young kids, it’s for experience in this level of footy so it’s definitely exciting.”