The unsung hero who helped turn the Green Machine into the Mean Machine in season 2019
Forget John Bateman, even Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Canberra’s most important signing in 2019 has been the key architect behind their resurgence and he spent the pre-season ‘butting heads’ with players.
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He’s the Canberra recruit who is proving to be more important to the Raiders’ resurgence than even John Bateman and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Former Raiders playmaker Andrew McFadden returned to the nation’s capital as an assistant coach to Ricky Stuart in September 2018 with one mission — to turn the Green Machine into the ‘Mean Machine’.
The former New Zealand Warriors coach completely overhauled Canberra’s defence during the pre-season, turning him into the least popular bloke on the training paddock.
Lock forward Joseph Tapine told The Daily Telegraph that McFadden was in a running battle with players over summer as he worked to rebuild Canberra’s defence.
“When you first meet him, he’s intense. We had a couple of little fights, a little bump of the heads here and there, some little disagreements,” Tapine said.
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Hooker Josh Hodgson said McFadden’s tough love might have rubbed players the wrong way, but it’s the reason Canberra have kept three teams scoreless this season.
“He [McFadden] has strong opinions in the things he believes … and there were players who are new to him and haven’t been under him before … but that butting heads is a good thing. It’s a good thing to have in teams because it brings out the best in you. If you’re not challenged as a player you can go stale,” Hodgson said.
Ricky Stuart’s men have conceded 48 tries this season, only Melbourne (38) have conceded less.
According to Fox Sports Lab, when defending their own line, Canberra have conceded only one try for every 19.5 tackles. The next best is the Manly Sea Eagles (15.1 tackles).
“That toughness on the line, an attitude thing and turning up for each other. It’s the one thing we really talk about now, having each other’s back. You can look at structures and processes and those things for as long as you like but if you don’t have the attitude of wanting to win and turning up for your mate than everything else, all the hard work before hand isn’t going to go too far,” Aidan Sezer told The Daily Telegraph.
The Raiders face a huge task over the next two weeks, starting on Sunday when they take on the premiers, the Sydney Roosters and the Storm.
But the Raiders will be going after more than just the four competition points on offer.
Hodgson told The Daily Telegraph his side wants the crown of being the best defensive team in the NRL, an accolade normally reserved for the likes of the Roosters and the Storm.
“When you are doing it tough and are under fatigue or when you’re blowing a little bit that you don’t give in, that’s one of our non-negotiables. You have to keep turning up. It’s had a real impact this year. We have a lot of work to do to be the best defensive team but we are pushing in that direction,” he said.
Originally published as The unsung hero who helped turn the Green Machine into the Mean Machine in season 2019