Now it is season over for the Canberra Raiders, we will be reviewing the year of all 31 players who pulled on a green jersey in first grade in 2021. So far, we have looked at the season of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Xavier Savage, Caleb Aekins, Jordan Rapana, Bailey Simonsson, Semi Valemei, Harley Smith-Shields, Sebastian Kris, Jarrod Croker, Curtis Scott, Matt Timoko, Jack Wighton, Sam Williams, George Williams, Matt Frawley, Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine, Emre Guler, Sia Soliola, Ryan James, Dunamis Lui, Josh Hodgson, Tom Starling, Elliott Whitehead and Hudson Young.
Corey Harawira-Naera joined the Canberra Raiders in the middle of 2020, after a controversy filled start to the year with the Canterbury Bulldogs. He and Jayden Okunbor had their contracts terminated by the Bulldogs, and they were deregistered by the NRL, due to off field incidents during a pre season trip to Port Macquarie. In July, the NRL Appeals Tribunal determined that the contract terminations were too harsh and should be reversed - with Harawira-Naera handed a 10 game suspension and $15,000 fine instead. Harawira-Naera, however, refused to return to the Bulldogs - and signed a two and a half year deal with the Raiders.
His arrival in Canberra was welcome news for the Raiders, not least because of the impending departure of second rower John Bateman. He went on to play 11 games in 2020. Unfortunately, his year ended in more controversy. He was pulled over on Christmas Day and was charged with mid range drink driving. He ended up being suspended by the NRL for the first two games of 2021 and fined 10,000.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was clearly not amused. Harawira-Naera was required to start his year in NSW Cup - and he had to force his way into first grade. He played four games in the "Raiders Reggies" and it is no surprise he made a mark. He scored four tries and produced two try assists and 23 tackle breaks. He broke 100 metres gained twice.
He was promoted to firsts in the Round 7 loss to the Cowboys - and pushed Hudson Young to the bench in a late switch. He held onto a starting role for the next 13 games, either partnering Elliott Whitehead (nine matches) or Young (four matches). He was dropped to the bench in the Round 21 clash with the Dragons, with Young preferred in the starting team.
Harawira-Naera also started on the bench in the following week against the Storm - when he was sent off for a tackle on Jahrome Hughes that unfortunately went very wrong. The Raiders were trailing by just six with five minutes remaining - and the Storm were on the attack in the red zone. He came off the line very fast in a hope of changing the momentum, but ended up wiping out the Storm half. The ensuing penalty goal sealed the victory for Melbourne. He issued a heart felt apology to Hughes after the game and was suspended for the final three rounds of the season. He showed a lot of class and genuine contrition.
I rated Harawira-Naera an average of 5.9/10 through the season, with his overall season rating pushed down by the number of games he missed. I rated him an "8" twice - in the late season wins over the Sharks and Eels. For mine, his best performance came in that Round 18 game against Cronulla, when he posted 14 runs for 146 metres, 28 post contact metres, 13 tackle breaks, seven offloads, 29 tackles and 94 per cent tackle efficiency. He was twice given "man of the match" honours in Fans' Choice voting (Round 12 V Roosters and Round 18 V Sharks). He ranked equal fifth, on 10 points, with Josh Hodgson, in the final tally.
Harawira-Naera's relative strength is his attack. He ranked equal third among the Raiders forwards, with Hudson Young, for total try involvements. Among the forwards, he also ranked first for average offloads, second for average tackle breaks (behind Young) and third for average line breaks (behind Young and Ryan James). In defence, he ranked fourth for average tackles among the forwards - but 10th for tackle efficiency. Only Sia Soliola and Elliott Whitehead had lower tackle efficiency rates. However, his try causes and line break causes were relatively low - as was his error count.
Harawira-Naera had a real battle with Hudson Young for a starting second row spot this year - with Young starting 14 times, and Harawira Naera starting 13 times. The two players have different styles, with Harawira-Naera more creative in attack, while Young is more reliant on his power running and possibly better in defence. The thing that proved most costly for Harawira-Naera this year was his discipline. Most fans would have him as a favourite for one starting second row spot for Round 1 next year. Hopefully we see him at his very best for a full 2022 season.
How did you rate Corey Harawira-Naera's 2021? Tell us below.
Corey Harawira-Naera's 2021: 5.5/10
2021 Statistics: (Stats from Fox Sports Lab)
Games: 15
Average minutes: 71
Points: 16
Tries: 4
Try assists: 2
Try contributions: 2
Total try involvements: 8
Total kicks: 2
Kick metres: 46
Total runs: 129
All run metres: 1120
Average metres per carry: 8
Average metres per game: 75
Tackle breaks: 44
Offloads: 27
Line breaks: 4
Line break assists: 4
Tackles: 439
Average tackles per game: 29
1 on 1 tackles: 32
Missed tackles: 40
Average missed tackles per game: 2.7
Ineffective tackles: 22
Tackle efficiency: 87 per cent
Try causes: 5
Line break causes: 9
Errors: 6
Penalties conceded: 12
