NRL SuperCoach 2016: Canberra Raiders ready for a big season
WITH a wealth of point-scoring machines at their disposal, SuperCoaches will be eyeing the rising Raiders with interest.
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GET excited Canberra fans, the stars are aligning for the Green Machine in 2016.
The Raiders might have missed the playoffs again last season, but they were closer than you think.
A series of close losses, many of which were decided in the final five minutes, relegated them to 10th place, but they turned the corner in a big way as some of Ricky Stuart’s gambles paid off big time.
Not only do the Raiders have one of the most underrated spines in the competition with Jack Wighton, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer and Josh Hodgson, who is one of the best purchases the club has made in some time, they have stability and class all across the park.
Their powerful backrow of Shaun Fensom, Sia Soliola and Josh Papalii is among the best in the league and their backline has begun to click into gear, with the Raiders scoring the third most points in the NRL last season.
If Canberra can shore up their defence and learn how to grind out close matches they’ll be a real force in 2016.
PLAYER MOVEMENT
Ins: Adam Clydsdale (Knights), Joey Leilua (Knights), Jeff Lima (Catalan Dragons), Zac Santo (Cowboys), Aidan Sezer (Titans), Elliot Whitehead (Catalan Dragons)
Outs: Mitch Cornish (Eels), Mitchell Cronin (QLD Cup), Joel Edwards (Tigers), Jeremy Hawkins (Storm), Andrew Heffernan (Panthers), Jeff Lynch (Titans), Patrick Mago (QLD Cup), Josh McCrone (Dragons), Mark Nicholls (Storm), Luke Page (QLD Cup), David Shillington (Titans), Dane Tilse (Hull KR), Bill Tupou (Wakefield Wildcats)
The Raiders won big on the recruitment front in 2015 with Josh Hodgson, Sisa Waqa, Sia Soliola and Blake Austin all enjoying strong seasons in the national capital.
They also have three new key faces for 2016.
Halfback Aidan Sezer is one of the best up and coming halves in the competition and he complements Austin’s skill-set beautifully. Watch for him to have a breakout year.
Elliot Whitehead is something of an unknown commodity in the NRL, but he’s been a star for Catalans Dragons for several seasons and was one of England’s best in the recent Test series against New Zealand. Big as a house but light on his feet, Whitehead will likely start the season from the bench but has the ability to make a real impact on the edge of the ruck.
Veteran prop Jeff Lima, who will give the club some much-needed depth up front, rounds out a sneaky good recruitment class.
PREDICTED BEST 17
Jack Wighton, Edrick Lee, Jarrod Croker, Joey Leilua, Sisa Waqa, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala, Josh Hodgson, Paul Vaughan, Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Jeff Lima, Elliot Whitehead, Shannon Boyd, Kurt Baptiste/Tevita Pangai Junior
The Raiders starting XIII seems pretty locked in, but the formation of their bench is still up in the air. Man mountains Shannon Boyd and Whitehead are secure of spots, but there are a number of others in contention for the remaining two spots. Lima, Pangai Junior, Mitch Barnett and Jarrad Kennedy are all in contention should Stuart wish to go with four forwards on the bench, while Kurt Baptiste and Adam Clydsdale will compete for the bench hooker spot if Hodgson doesn’t play 80 minutes.
GUNS
Shaun Fensom (2RF) $407,400
The Raiders are well stocked with SuperCoach weapons and the most notable is Shaun Fensom. Fensom never met a player he couldn’t outwork and he was the only player to average over 100 metres gained and 35 tackles per match. Throw in his excellent offloading game and his team high average of 64.43 last season and he’s well worth the hefty price tag — especially under the new interchange rules.
Jarrod Croker (CTW) $384,900
The Canberra captain is a low-key SuperCoach stud, averaging 60.88 but his price tag of $384,900 might be a little steep for some players. However, Croker is incredibly consistent, averaging 60 over the last two seasons and barely missing a game.
Paul Vaughan (FRF, 2RF) $331,200
Paul Vaughan could be an astute purchase to begin the season. Vaughan averaged 52.38 last season despite playing most of his matches off the bench. If he lands a starting gig in place of Dane Tilse and/or David Shillington — and he probably will — his numbers will absolutely explode.
CHEAPIES
Tevita Pangai Junior (FRF, 2RF) $113,800
The best cheapie at the Raiders is Tevita Pangai Junior. An offloading freak in the front row, Pangai Junior was a stat machine in the Holden Cup and was named in the team of the rear last season. He might not start the year in first grade but he will get a run at some stage and at $113,800 there’s money to be made.
HOLDEN CUP ANALYSIS
Pangai Junior is the rookie most likely to play a major role in the Raiders NRL side this season but their Holden Cup side will rely heavily on Lachlan Croker. A nippy halfback or
five-eighth, Croker was one of Canberra’s best in a tumultuous under-20s season last year and will be one to watch in 2016. He’s still a year or two away from first grade but the club is very excited about the long-term potential of the Crookwell junior.
VALUE
Joey Leilua (CTW) $274,200
If you want to walk on the wild side and get a little bit weird, Joey Leilua could be the buy for you. His average of 43.37 last season was somewhat pedestrian and his performances for the Raiders after his midseason switch from Newcastle were very forgettable, but he’s a blockbusting, barnstorming centre who can easily string together big scores when he’s fit and motivated.
Leilua might make his fair share of errors and commit more penalties than most would like, but if he fires this season points will be raining for days. He’s got form as well — in 2014 he cracked the 100-point barrier three times, including 146 in a single match. Of course, it could all blow up in your face and he could make you pull your hair out with a series of horrific scores, but as they say in the classics, you’ve got to risk it to get the biscuit.
NO-GO ZONE
Blake Austin (5/8) $346,100
The five-eighth was absolutely super for the Raiders last season but there were so many booms and busts that picking him in SuperCoach could take years off your life. Austin lives and dies on his running game — when it works, he’s a tackle-breaking, try-scoring, goatie-growing menace who can put up a big score as easily as he blinks. But when it doesn’t, he can struggle to break 30 points. Austin’s support play is so good that he’ll always be able to snag tries here and there, but the sensible play is to give him a miss at the start of the season.
Sia Soliola (2RF) $367,700
The Canberra hit-man was the most popular centre/wing in SuperCoach for most of last year as he banged out 80 minutes in the back-row. However, he is not an option for 2016 because he starts expensive following a strong year and is no longer dual position.
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