Raiders season review: Forwards

[Raidercast]

Raiders season review: Forwards

2011 may be done and dusted, but it gives us the chance to take a look back at where the club were successful and where they need to improve.

In this three part series we will examine, the forwards, halves and backs, look at the positives and negatives in 2011 and what may happen in 2012.

Coming into the season, there was a lot of buzz surrounding the Raiders forward pack. With plenty of size and power, it was expected the Raiders’ forwards would be able to assert dominance over opposition teams.

While they were able to in some instances, their performances weren’t consistent, and this will no doubt be an area focussed on during the off season.

With representative props David Shillington, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Brett White, Kiwi international Bronson Harrison, inspirational captain Alan Tongue, future stars Josh Papalii and Sam Mataora and workhorse Shaun Fensom the Raiders boast one of the best packs in the NRL.

2011 strengths

Bringing young forwards through – While injuries meant most of the Raiders’ forwards spent time on the sidelines in 2011, it was the young stars who really made their presence felt, putting their hand up to be selected as regulars in 2012.

Players such as Josh Papalii and Sam Mataora worked their way into the side in 2011, while Shaun Fensom made the transition from promising rookie to leader, winning the 2011 Meninga Medal for the Raiders’ best and fairest player.

2011 weaknesses

Injuries crippled the Raiders pack in 2011, and didn’t allow combinations to form. Glen Buttriss, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Josh Miller and Trevor Thurling all suffered season-ending injuries, while David Shillington missed a significant portion of the year.

It was an unfortunate series of events which stopped the Raiders building momentum in 2011, and managing the forwards workload will no doubt be a priority heading into 2012.

2011 vital statistics

Needless to say, Shaun Fensom is a tackling machine. He finished the year with 1135 tackles, second overall in the competition behind Nathan Hindmarsh. All signs indicate he’ll get through another 1000 in 2012.

Changes 2011-2012

Out: Alan Tongue (retirement), Josh Miller (Dragons), Danny Galea (Panthers).

What the changes mean

The young players mentioned previously will use this as an opportunity to cement their place in the match day side. Travis Waddell will most likely battle it out with Buttriss for the vacant hooking spot.

Source: Raiders.com.au