Fast-finishing Raiders no surprise The Raiders' victory against the competition leading Bulldogs catapulted them into 7th place and a likely finals spot. The comprehensive 34-6 win last weekend was the fourth on the trot for the Canberra side and they now look like a serious force – a huge turnaround from the side limping home just a few weeks previously.
At the completion of Round 21 this year, the green machine were languishing in 13th spot on the table and were in disarray following a 30 point toweling from fellow strugglers Newcastle. Canberra fans screamed for heads to roll with coach David Furner squarely in the firing line.
Fast forward a month and four comprehensive victories later, only the lowly Warriors stand between the Raiders and a place in the top eight.
If this all seems familiar, you are not wrong. The Raiders are starting to make late season finals runs a habit.
In 2008, after 21 rounds, the Raiders were sitting 10th after being thumped 34-6 by Brisbane. Four wins in the last five games of the season, including a 74-12 thrashing of the Panthers, saw them qualify sixth for the finals. Unfortunately they were bundled out in the first round 36-10 by Cronulla.
In 2010, at the end of Round 21, Canberra were sitting in 12th on the table and had just suffered a 36-12 drubbing at the hands of the Storm. What followed were consecutive victories against Penrith, Canterbury, eventual premiers St George, North Queensland and Brisbane to finish the regular season seventh. Another victory over Penrith in the qualifying final saw them progress to the semi finals where they were beaten by the Tigers.
2012 has seen victories against fellow top eight contenders Brisbane, Strugglers Penrith and the Roosters and Minor Premiership favorites Canterbury.
A win against the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday, will guarantee Canberra a playoff spot. Who they play in the first round of the new finals format remains to be seen as several teams jostle for position in the final round of the 2012 NRL regular season.
The Raiders have been a dreadfully inconsistent side for the majority of 2012. However they have shown that they can beat anybody on their day, which last weeks thrashing of Canterbury can attest to. If they can keep up their recent form, they are a good chance to better their finals record of 2010 and continue to play footy deep into September.
Whether or not the new finals system will allow that to happen? only time will tell.
Source: http://www.backpagelead.com.au/league/7320-fast-finishing-raiders-no-surprise
Topic: Really It's No Surprise Raiders Making Yet Another Late Season Run
