2010 NRL Season Preview - Canberra Raiders

Every time I think of the Canberra Raiders, I think of David Furner's punch that dropped Shane Webcke in Origin, 2000.


If the raiders team in 2010 could show the same spirit and urgency at away games, they would be a top 6 calibre team every year. I must be the millionth person to point this out, and I must be the millionth person to point out that I've pointed this out.

Moving on... The team from our nation’s capital will be relying heavily on their few experienced players to lead a group mostly made of youngsters. Terry Campese is an inspirational number 6 for them and will lead from the front, hopefully get into another fight with Dean Young, play city v country, and perhaps the NSW selectors will give him another shot at Origin. However I doubt that Bob Fulton and co will consider this since they have a revolving door policy when it comes to NSW halves, but don't get me started. Campese will be worth it one day if they give him a chance.

                                                   Campo is a crowd favourite at Bruce.

Alan Tongue should now be mentioned in the same breath as Nathan Hindmarsh but never will because coaches continue to move him around the park. I think he was playing 7 and 9 at one stage last year. Ridiculous. Another reason he won’t get the credit he deserves is because he plays for the Raiders. Channel 9 don't really give them a shot. Probably a good thing though... the rest of the commentary team wouldn't appreciate spending three hours in a car with Andrew Voss. He's good on The Sunday Roast though.

                                Dribbler, in action.

To digress, more questions remain unanswered in the ACT:

Will the raiders’ pre season match against Belconnen be attended by more than 45 people? I hope so because Belco have a wonderful team this year.
Will Dane Tilse be able to stay out of the ANU campus? Not sure but I'll be watching him like a hawk.
Will Daniel Vidot use another judo move in a fight this year? Hope so... watching his knee fly millimetres away from Ben Rogers' face last year was a highlight.

Daniel Vidot's knees are becoming his favourite weapon.

Will Joel Thompson renew acquaintances with Jarryd Hayne when the Eels and Raiders square off? Did anyone see Thompson attacking Hayne during the Indigenous All-Stars match? What was he smoking? There must be some history there and I dont think Hayne will forget.

Tip - They miss the eight due to lack of talent in the hooker position. The raiders have a decent 7, 6 and 1, but haven't had a good hooker since Lincoln Withers.
X Factor - Josh Dugan. He could be something, this kid.
Premiership odds - $34.00 - have a crack if you are a raiders fan, they might win enough homes games to sneak into the eight and then who knows. Having said that, I think we all know the truth.