NRL Analysis: 3 Takeaways from Raiders v Sharks

The Canberra Raiders have done it again…

They don’t make it easy on themselves, and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks didn’t play poorly, but Ricky Stuart’s side found a winner on the siren to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

3 Takeaways

• 1. The Watch List

• 2. The Organised Chaos of the Green Machine

• 3. Sharks Last-Tackle Options

1. The Watch List

I go into every NRL game with a couple of things I’m keeping a close eye on. Sometimes, I’ll throw them up onto the Instagram account, too.

Nicho’s touches: I raised an eyebrow at Mick Ennis claiming Hynes didn’t know how to insert himself into the game with Braydon Trindall taking more control of the team. He looked fine playing second fiddle to start the NRL season. We’d have to see a breakdown of where he touches the ball in this one, but it felt like he took more of his touches at first receiver this week. The Sharks have looked their best, with Hynes and Trindall jumping between the first and second layers of a shift, but they didn’t ask enough questions¹ in good ball. Having the two link up, with Hynes out the back, has been a strong play all season.

Kaeo’s hands: It took less than two minutes for Jamal Fogarty to hang one up for Weekes… He dropped another one before halftime.

Weekes is dangerous with the ball. He’s lightning quick and a threat on kick returns. However, he has to catch the ball first. It’s proving to be an issue, and while Ricky Stuart has put his support behind him, he won’t for long without a significant improvement under the high-ball.

Addin’s footwork: The man is a freak. He’d made 27 tackles by halftime as the Raiders looked to put extra work into him, but Fonua-Blake kept coming. His footwork allows him to split defenders, but even if they manage to make dual contact, he powers through and often stands in the tackle. Fonua-Blake finished with a game-high 211 running metres.

The Raiders took the right approach, bringing him into as many tackles as they could and trying to tire him out. He was out on the wing by the time the Raiders shifted the ball and made their game-defining linebreak.

2. The Organised Chaos of the Green Machine

The Sharks finished the game with more possession, territory, running metres, and tackles inside the opposition 20-metre line. They led for much of the game and looked the dominant side for most of it.

But Ricky’s Raiders are always in the fight. They consistently score outrageous tries, often at the end of games, but it’s not an accident or fluke. It’s a product of their style. Constant movement and pushing up through the middle in support is the chassis to the chaos engine of the Green Machine.

The game-winner on Thursday night is the perfect example.

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