Raiders v Panthers: Five things we can’t wait to see in the NRL semi-final

AN edge battle for the ages, razzle-dazzle football and the Viking clap are some of the things we can’t wait to see in the Raiders-Panthers showdown.

Five things we can’t wait to see in the Raiders v Panthers semi-final.

AN edge battle for the ages, razzle-dazzle football and the Viking clap are some of the things we can’t wait to see in the Raiders-Panthers semi-final showdown at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.

1. LEIPANA V MANPEACH

Are you Team Leipana? Or Team Manpeach?

Regardless of which bandwagon you jump on, just be sure to strap yourself in!

These two edge combinations have emerged as the most exciting and most devastating in the game and will go head to head in what shapes as a showdown of epic proportions.

For Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua, it’s a simple numbers game. Read it and weep … they’ve combined for a staggering 249 tackle busts, 37 linebreaks, 83 offloads and 36 tries. They’ve terrorised opposition defences all season long and now have Josh Mansour and Tyrone Peachey in their sights.

******* Embargoed do not use without permission from Tim Morrissey ******* Raiders Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua at GIO Stadium in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

The Penrith pairing are no slouches either.

Mansour’s power game is second to none. The winger uses his explosive power to cart the ball and his side out of trouble week, in week out. Peachey’s unassuming strength makes him one of the most elusive players in the game. Add to that his footwork and you have yourself one tricky proposition.

2. DARE TO DREAM

The Panthers are one of those teams we tend to talk about in terms of the future. Year in, year out they always seem to be building towards something bigger, something greater on the field. And that line of thinking survives on the oxygen it receives from infamous declarations such as Penrith supremo Phil Gould’s “five year plan”.

But what if the future is now for the men from the foot of the mountains?

“Everyone keeps talking about the future, but we’re all looking at the present and we’re preparing for the present,” said Trent Merrin.

And after they disposed of the Bulldogs last week, the Panthers are looking like a team ready to cause a finals boilover.

Panther's Tyrone Peachey celebrates scoring a try with his team mates during the NRL elimination final between the Penrith Panthers and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium , Moore Park . Picture : Gregg Porteous

But can they break a 21-year hoodoo and win the title from outside of the top four? Fearless with the footy and all of a sudden gritty … all signs seemingly point to yes. A win in Canberra could mean we are witness to a record-breaking finals run.

3. BEWARE THE WOUNDED RAIDERS

First Blake Austin broke his hand, then hooker Josh Hodgson injured his ankle against the Sharks and now forward Clay Priest has suffered a broken ankle in a training mishap.

But coach Ricky Stuart has assured fans both Austin and Hodgson will line-up on Saturday night.

Hodgson’s injury showed the Raiders can ill afford to be missing their first choice No. 6 and No.9 at the same time. Without the Englishman, Canberra lost direction, creativity and execution.

Their inclusion undoubtedly boosts Canberra’s chances.

Josh Hodgson of the Raiders on his way to a try during the Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks Qualifying final at GIO Stadium, Canberra. pic Mark Evans

The Green Machine will also feel seriously stung by their loss to Cronulla considering it ended a 10-game winning streak. By all accounts Stuart’s men have had their backs against the wall this week but the Panthers would be making a mistake to take them lightly.

4. ATTACKING PROWESS

The tried and test formula of defence winning premierships may just be thrown out at GIO Stadium. From Leilua’s miracle flick pass against the Tigers to Penrith’s incredible team try against the Bulldogs these two sides are more concerned with making the ball sing than conforming to the rules of finals footy.

But Raiders five-eighth Blake Austin was none-to-pleased when informed the Panthers had now been anointed the “most exciting team” in the competition.

“We lost the ‘most exciting team’ tag in a week of footy. Apparently Penrith are the new exciting team to watch,” Austin said.

This can only mean one thing, free-flowing end-to-end football with all the razzle-dazzle trimmings … as the Raiders try to reclaim the crown as the game’s excitement machine.

Josh Mansour of the Panthers celebrates a try during the Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs Elimination Final at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. pic Mark Evans

5. VIKING CLAP

Rugby league has been a victim of its own “big stadium” policy in recent years with half-empty venues devoid of atmosphere and ambience the norm.

Enter the Viking Clap.

Is there a better sight than a packed stadium of fans willing their team to victory through unison clapping? We vote no!

Considering the thunder clap was unceremoniously mocked by Michael Ennis after his side beat the Raiders in week one of the finals, we expect Canberra fans to serve up a rendition with extra vigour on Saturday night.

Originally published as Raiders v Panthers: Five things we can’t wait to see in the NRL semi-final