BadnMean wrote: ↑November 9, 2021, 4:31 pm
If this bloke can make Hodgo quick he's a genius. Good luck to both!
Interesting I saw a few of the Raiders gym junkies working out today- Sia (still around the group), CNK, CHN and interestingly enough, Joe Tapine working out with them. I really wonder if a solid year in the gym now will see any improvement from him- he was just a natural explosive player before...
It's a mystery. I can understand those who have had operations or who are in some injury recovery program not commencing back at the same time. The only thing I can think of is that all Clubs have 2 trial matches leading into season 2022 and Sticky believes this will provide a modicum of match fitness. It is a wafer thin reason but otherwise I am stumped.
I dont think timing of return was an issue with the spectacular failure of 2021. The season is a looooong way off, they dont need 6 **** months to get into shape and match fitness, a player coming back on Nov 2 vs Dec 2 ultimate isnt a big deal when the season kicks off in March... the type of training and effectiveness of it was very cleary and obviously the issue.
Four months until the 2022 NRL season begins. Trial matches to begin on Feb 18.
February 18-28, 2022
10 days of NRL pre-season trial matches live on Fox Sports
Matches to be played over Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Every team plays two trial matches https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 202b6f3236
Given the many fade outs of the Raiders in season 2021 after building a lead, I hope the physical training is built around going the full 80 minutes. The tries conceded at different stages of a match was a telling factor in our season. https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/10/21/rai ... e-numbers/
"Aussie" Elliott Whitehead going back home to England for Christmas
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart didn't hesitate in letting new Australian resident and captain Elliott Whitehead go home to England for Christmas - the first time in two years he'll be able to see his family.
"He came to me not long ago when the borders opened up and asked me if he could go home to have time with his family and there was no hesitation at all. I told him he could have a little bit more time off on the back end of the Christmas break, another three or four days. Ryan Sutton's also going to take that opportunity," Stuart said.
Two years is a fair time not to have seen family. Hard not to think that has an impact that flow through to anything you do including form on a footy field. I hope Elliot and Sutton have a cracking Christmas in the UK and come back refreshed and in a good space.
I keep thinking Mooney will be a good player, look forward to him getting amongst it.
There's some real prospects there, let's hope they come through. Mulholland sure does have an eye for talent and a great understanding of the numbers game.
zim wrote:Looking the part isn't he? Esera, Hola and Mooney all looking good.
Is Esera still on the books?
Yes and he's in the "ongoing training" list. But you'd hope the club is viewing him in the same way they are Mooney and Savage, though obviously in Savage's case backs get their taste earlier than forwards. Esera is one we do not want to let go if we can help it.
To me this is one of those odd situations where we must have plans in place that aren't official because he is one guy that you just expect to see headed to the Roosters or Storm if he's not locked up properly.
zim wrote:Looking the part isn't he? Esera, Hola and Mooney all looking good.
Is Esera still on the books?
Yes and he's in the "ongoing training" list. But you'd hope the club is viewing him in the same way they are Mooney and Savage, though obviously in Savage's case backs get their taste earlier than forwards. Esera is one we do not want to let go if we can help it.
To me this is one of those odd situations where we must have plans in place that aren't official because he is one guy that you just expect to see headed to the Roosters or Storm if he's not locked up properly.
Will be interesting to see if and how Esera and Mooney transition. Esera looked a man among boys last year but how will he go against better defences and bigger bodies? He has a good offload. Mooney is just a ball magnet. He just seems to constantly be in the thick of it, on both sides of the ball.
Yeah, I thought I read a report that Esera was leaving and was very disappointed to see that. I think he has great potential but probably as a middle, he has a lovely late step to his game which he can combine with a late pass. Might take another year or so but I cant wait to see if he can step up.
Mooney is just one of THOSE players, things happen when he is getting involved, with and without the ball plus he has an abrasive edge to his game which he mostly keeps under control.