Heritage Round Clash: Raiders V Cowboys

[RNA]

The Heritage: Canberra Raiders

Men of League Heritage Round kicks-off this weekend (30 March – 2 April), honouring the game’s history and remembering the great players and the people that have been involved in your club, that make Rugby League the greatest game of all.

Round 5 of the 2012 NRL Premiership is a chance to celebrate the great and rich traditions of all the NRL clubs – from the foundation members all the way to the league’s newest entrants. Each club has its own unique story and a special piece of history in Australian sport.

The Men of League Foundation continues to support all members of the rugby league family when they need a helping hand. Men of League Ambassadors will make appearances at collection points at all venues.

The Raiders return to Canberra for Monday night footy, and take on an exciting Cowboys side in what is shaping to be a fine finish to Heritage Round.

While these clubs don’t have a history stretching back several decades, they have produced a number of thrilling encounters, none more so than the Round 16 2005 epic.

Re-live the Raiders v Cowboys classic from 2005 here.

A typically slippery winter night in Canberra didn’t deter either side, who threw the ball around in a see-sawing encounter.

Matt Bowen scored within the first minute to have the visitors out in front, but the Raiders piled on the points to go out to a healthy 22-12 halftime lead.

The Cowboys finished strongly, with Johnathan Thurston converting his own try from out wide to level the scores with only 9 minutes remaining.

But the match would be decided via the boot of Jason Smith, who kicked the decisive field goal in the 73rd minute. The Cowboys had a chance right on the siren to send the game into golden point extra time, but were unsuccessful, leaving the Raiders to celebrate a memorable home victory.

Are there any current Raiders players who remind you of our past stars? Let us know in the comments below.

These sides first met in Round 4, 1995, with the Raiders winning 14-8 on the road in Townsville. Current coach David Furner played in the second row that day and there was a J. Croker in the centres in that game, but Jason shouldn’t be confused with the Raiders’ current player Jarrod, who may not have even been out of nappies by then.

The Canberra Raiders team for that game on Saturday, April 1st, 1995 was:
Brett Mullins, Ken Nagas, Albert Fulivai, Jason Croker, Noa Nadruku, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart ©, Quentin Pongia, Jason Death, David Westley, Brett Hetherington, David Furner, Bradley Clyde.
Bench: Luke Davico, Graham Appo, Jason Burnham, Steve Stone. Coach: Tim Sheens.

There are a few similarities between players then and now, with Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Brett White conjuring up memories of Brett Hetherington and Luke Davico.

Raiders Members and supporters will be hoping for another good win on Monday night, and with our side winning 11 of the 14 matches played at Canberra Stadium between these teams, they have every reason to be confident.

So get down to the ground and be part of another chapter in the heritage of the greatest game of all.

Next Up
In Round 5, the Canberra Raiders host the North Queensland Cowboys at Canberra Stadium on Monday night with kick-off at 7:00pm.

Source: Raiders