Canberra Raiders still ‘filthy’ about NRL grand final loss to Roosters
After going so close last year, the importance of Canberra maintaining their grand final momentum this season. And Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says his players are still burning about it.
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Despite their shock run to last year’s grand final, Ricky Stuart says the Canberra Raiders are still “filthy” rather than “happy” in the countdown to the 2020 NRL season.
The last time the Raiders had a big season they fell apart the following year, tumbling down the NRL ladder from second in 2016 to 10th in 2017.
But this time round Stuart has no fears about complacency taking the edge off a roster that is now rated a genuine premiership force.
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The Raiders spent last week in camp on the Sunshine Coast to escape the dangerous smoke conditions in Canberra and Stuart has returned really impressed with the attitude of all his players.
“I haven’t seen any attitude at training that says to me everyone is really happy where they got to,” Stuart said.
“They are filthy, they are not happy with it. And the way we trained last week showed there is no taking it easy.
“Obviously it is a test of character but if you are worthy of being tagged with being a very good NRL player or a very good NRL team that is what you do, you be consistent.”
Last week gave the squad a chance to really get to know new halfback George Williams and Stuart said the Englishman has fitted in well.
Another player who is really showing he has returned with a great attitude is big Josh Papalii.
Back at the start of 2018 Stuart was fuming when Papalii returned from playing for Samoa at the 2017 World Cup weighing in at a massive 130kg.
But this year Papalii has come back after a long break following the end of season Tests at a much leaner 119kg.
Stuart says Papalii has just reached a point in his life where stability on and off the field were helping to make him the footballer he was always capable of being.
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While Papalii is already one of the most experienced representative forwards in the comp, having started in the Queensland and Australian teams way back in 2013, it is worth noting that he is still only 27.
That is the age where front-rowers traditionally play their best footy.
Papalii was arguably the NRL’s form front-rower last year and Stuart sees no reason why that should change.
“He is a completely different person now, Pappa, unbelievable,” Stuart said.
“Consistency is a big thing. I reckon the last two years Pappa has been Queensland’s best.
“Put it this way, he is in career best form.”
Originally published as Canberra Raiders still ‘filthy’ about NRL grand final loss to Roosters