Club Previews – Canberra Raiders

The Raiders will be hoping desperately to improve upon their disappointing 10th place finish in 2018, as their dismal record away from home continues to be a problem. One finals appearance in the past six years isn’t good enough for a squad that has so many internationals.

They have a decent amount of turnover, to the extent that the squad which runs out for Round 1 could feature quite a few new faces. I don’t hold much hope for them personally, but if there’s one thing I’ve learnt with the Raiders, it’s to expect the unexpected!

 

Check out all our pre-season content:

2019 Players of Interest: Read all of these here

2019 SuperCoach Club Previews: Read all of these here

 

2019 GAINS & LOSSES 

Gains: John Bateman (Wigan Warriors, 2024), JJ Collins (Newcastle Knights, 2020), Andre Niko (2019), Brendan O’Hagan (2019), Kyle Patterson (2019), Bailey Simonsson (2019), Ryan Sutton (Wigan Warriors, 2020), Hudson Young (2019)

Losses: Blake Austin (Warrington Wolves), Shannon Boyd (Gold Coast Titans), Masivesi Dakuwaqa (released), Craig Garvey (Sydney Roosters), Charlie Gubb (Widnes Vikings), Liam Knight (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Mikaele Ravalawa (St George Illawarra Dragons)

It will be a new look front row for the Raiders as both Boyd and Paulo have left. Ricky Stuart is on record as saying he wants to shift towards a more mobile pack, so Boyd and Paulo have been replaced by Ryan Sutton and John Bateman from England. We could see a reshuffle of the pack too, with Josh Papalii being used to great effect at lock last year and that shift to the middle may continue as he may be the new starting prop beside (as expected) Sutton. This allows Bateman to start at lock, with Whitehead reverting to his preferred edge backrow position (on the left though) and Tapine manning the right edge. Tapine could even spend time in the middle after playing that role off the bench in 2017.

The other issue is Jordan Rapana’s shoulder injury during an International between New Zealand and England last November. He is expected to be out until at least May, which sees him potentially returning around Round 10. Michael Oldfield is expected to replace him on the right wing (as he did at times last year).

 

LIKELY STARTING 17

 1. Brad Abbey 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. BJ Leilua 5. Michael Oldfield 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Ryan Sutton 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Josh Papalii 11. Elliott Whitehead 12. Joseph Tapine 13. John Bateman Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Sia Soliola 16. Emre Guler 17. Luke Bateman/Dunamis Lui

Who’s left: JJ Collins (aka JJ Felise), Corey Horsburgh, Royce Hunt, Hudson Young, Bailey Simonsson, Kyle Patterson, Sebastian Kris, Ata Hingano (injured but could be the utility if fit), Makahesi Makatoa, Jack Murchie, Andre Niko, Brendan O’Hagan, Sam Williams

 

DRAW ANALYSIS

Teams they play twice: Cowboys, Storm, Roosters, Eels, Panthers, Sharks, Warriors, Tigers, Sea Eagles

Teams they play once: Titans, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Dragons, Bulldogs, Knights

First five games: Titans (A), Storm (H), Knights (H), Cowboys (A), Eels (H)

The Raiders don’t have a kind draw, facing five of the 2018 top eight teams twice, as well as the expected improvers of the Cowboys. In contrast, they miss out on playing potential bottom teams in the Titans and Bulldogs twice as well. The opening five rounds is overall quite friendly, despite the presence of the Storm there. The Raiders often give the Storm some trouble after all. With the Raiders playing the first bye, it’s not a bad tactic to consider starting with one or two Raiders.

 

GUNS

JOSH HODGSON: (Price: $592,100, Position: HOK, 2018 Average: 63.3)

Hodgson missed half of the season as he recovered from an ACL injury, but after just one game of 46 minutes, played the full 80 minutes for every other game that season. And his impact was immediate, racking up three try assists in his very first game back. He’s never been a big base stat hooker (averaged 37.5 PPG in pure base in his 10 full 80 minute games last year) but he is such an integral part of the Raiders’ offence, he will nab some attacking stats. Hodgson is one player I suspect will have a much better year, and take advantage of the new try contribution stat. Throw in the fact that he plays the first bye round, and Hodgson is a compelling option to start the season for your hooker position.

JOSEPH TAPINE: (Price: $590,100, Position: 2RF, 2018 Average: 61.1)

Tapine played 16 games for his 63.1 PPG average but take out his two injury-affected games and his average increases to 66.6 PPG in the games he played the full 80 minutes on the right edge. His base stats (average of just over 43 PPG) aren’t fabulous but he consistently busts tackles and has a decent offloading ability. Add in those stats and he averages 54.5 PPG in pure base stats plus tackle busts and offloads. Losing his FRF/2RF dual position status is a blow, but Tapine could be an undervalued POD option for the 2RF if you’re unable to afford the likes of JTurbo, Crichton or others. He’s in a group along with Kikau, Fitzgibbon and Brown, but his Round 12 coverage, and opening draw, are persuasive factors.

 

SLEEPERS

ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD: (Price: $457,700, Position: 2RF/CTW, 2018 Average: 48.9)

Coming off his worst season yet (following 2016’s 61 PPG average and 2017’s 54 PPG average), Whitehead has room for improvement. Sure, if you look at his 2018 stats they are largely unimpressive, but he did have several games in the centres (filling in for Croker, whether that was for the whole game or a mid-game reshuffle) which drags down his average. This could very well continue being the case but there is the possibility that Bateman ends up filling the centre position instead of Whitehead. I’m certainly not suggesting Whitehead is a home run selection but he has the potential to average up to 12 PPG better than his performance in 2018, and that warrants some consideration (along with the fact that you can lock in his 40+ points week to week in the CTW position).

JOHN BATEMAN: (Price: $400,000, Position: 2RF/CTW, 2018 Average: N/A)

We haven’t seen him in the NRL but his playing style is very SuperCoach-friendly, if his ESL stats are anything to go by. A hard worker, with an ability to bust tackles and offload, he can certainly rack up some points that way. Bateman is a chance at a starting spot in the Raiders’ back row, but also available for selection at the CTW position, he could viably average 45-50 in base (depends on minutes and role) and appreciate nicely in value until he is ripe for the selling post-Round 12 – or even potentially be a season-long hold if the minutes and role line up well for him. Of course, if he’s named on the bench for Round 1, he’s a definite ‘wait and see’.

 

BUSTS

JOSH PAPALII: (Price: $595,900, Position: FRF/2RF, 2018 Average: 63.7)

I’m being a bit controversial here, as Big Papa was an absolute gun when he shifted to the middle halfway through the season. As in, 15 games at lock for an average of 70.3 PPG in 68 MPG. Now with his potential shift into the middle, well, isn’t that a good thing for Papalii? I’m not so sure. He’s playing prop officially, and with the presence of more mobile, fitter back-rowers, are they more likely to get longer minutes and give Papalii shorter but more effective stints as part of the prop rotation? I suspect that might be the case. It’s hard to predict what Sticky will do, but if Papalii isn’t named in the #13 jersey come Round 1, and instead it’s an #8 or a #10, I’d be very wary of starting with him until we see exactly how he’s used.

THE OUTSIDE BACKS

Maybe I’m being lazy here but I have genuine concerns about the whole backline. The reason being, Jack Wighton at five eighth? He’s Blake Austin 2.0 in terms of his passing game, and now Sezer has to adjust to a new ball-hog (potentially) halves partner again. With Rapana gone for the opening rounds, that also means the work is going to be left to the other outside backs and let’s face it, Croker and Oldfield aren’t really known for being workers. Cotric… maybe. He certainly has the potential, but he’s no Jordan Rapana. And BJ… well, 2016 BJ would be fine. Any-other-season BJ? Well, he’ll give you what you got last year – lots of frustration and the occasional big score, to average the same in the end anyway.

Throw in the fact that Sticky has mentioned he wants to utilise a more mobile pack, well, I can just imagine Hodgson calling the shots as the chief playmaker and using the lighter forwards in the pack to great effect.

 

CHEAPIES

BRAD ABBEY: (Price: $203,800, Position: CTW/FLB, 2018 Average: 21.8)

His stats aren’t very inspiring but if you want a cheapie from the Raiders, he’s probably about it for the backline. Abbey appears likely to take over at fullback with Wighton’s shift to five eighth, so he’ll at least have some job security. With such low base stats though, you’d be brave to consider him for your 17 each week, so you’re basically hoping and praying for a quick-fire hat trick at some point, and you can upgrade him ASAP to a better option.

EMRE GULER: (Price: $227,100, Position: FRF, 2018 Average: 30)

For the forwards, Guler debuted last year and he has received some decent wraps for his three games, and his training in this year’s preseason so far. He averaged 30.3 PPG from 27.7 MPG from his three games last year, so if he gets a nice bump in minutes (possible, given the losses of Boyd and Paulo), he could be about to increase his value by 10 PPG. It’s certainly slim pickings at the Raiders for cheapies…

 

Check out all our other 2019 Club Previews below: 

Brisbane Broncos 

Penrith Panthers

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Cronulla Sharks

Melbourne Storm

North Queensland Cowboys

Manly Sea Eagles

 

Catfish

Catfish (Wilfred Zee) won the competition outright in 2016 and now writes weekly pieces for the Daily Telegraph.

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danway

Great write up Catfish! What are people’s thoughts on Ryan Sutton for 320k if he’s starting in FRF?

rooster1

Catfish i like some of what u saying i read cotcric was training f/b I going early pre season returns for pap’s for pod factor i can see 60 to 70 min in frf / lock role Tighten the middle third I have made so bad calls before

Chooka

I reckon he’s a good chance to burgle some points, especially late in games.

Hitro Okesene

You’ve got me thinking more seriously about both Bateman and Sutton. I wish I knew a bit more about Sutton’s stats in the superleague, though, because if he starts he could be a good mid-range option for my FRF bench… Anyone got a little more info on him?

I don't pray to God; I pray to DCE

“In 24 games for Wigan last season, Sutton averaged 26 tackles and 13.1 runs.

Unfortunately, key SuperCoach categories of tackle breaks and offloads aren’t key components of his game.”

He had 20 tackle breaks, 6 offloads, 2 linebreaks, and averaged 6.72 metres per carry across the entire season.

Hitro Okesene

Sounds like a possible low 40s plodder. Hmmm, might not be worth the punt at that price. Thanks mate.

Ratamancer

Hodgson has been my main hooker for a good majority of my iterations and I think with Rapana out for so long there might be a left side bias, even if it’s unintentional, which could be to Whiteheads benefit.

grande212

Abbey is such a bust. In the games he played 80mins he averaged 18.1 points. WHACK.
Even if he averages 30, which seems unlikely, he’ll make 35k….

dilligafug

Keep in mind Abbey only just turned 22. You’d have to think with an increase in strength and conditioning, physical maturation and more FG experience there’s plenty of scope for better output this year.

SupercoachGodsBeNice

Epic write up and welcome back CF

Hooker has been killing me all preseason and I’ve finally settled on just going Cook but you make some very intriguing points for Hodgson

DCE2011

Nice analysis, CF. Hodgson, JBateman and Abbey all sound good to me.

OnTheBus

Nice write up, Hodgson has been one of my set hookers so far .
What are thoughts on BJ this year?
Seemed to pick it up towards the back end

I don't pray to God; I pray to DCE

Something to consider for those picking Hodgo – his 63-point average is based on him grabbing 13 try assists in 11 games, he’d need to keep up that rate in order to match that average this season. That’s basically 28 try assists over the course of 24 games.

For reference, he only had 10 try assists in 23 games in 2017, averaging 54 points.

OnTheBus

He could get even more TAs with the new style they will play.
Having tqpine and papa off him instead of Boyd and Paulo looks dangerous.

They face teams like knights titans eels who are weak up the middle too

I don't pray to God; I pray to DCE

I thought you said Tapine moving into the middle was a “dumb move”? 😉

OnTheBus

I said that because he plays tapine on the right edge all season and whitehead as cover , now decides to play tapine at prop.
Tapine was a gun lock and his debut we all had him , then sticky kept him on the bench for a few years .
Poor kid, as for tapine and papa off Hodgson that’s crash balls could work well .

LOTE

If do end up buying Hodgson I’m not buying him for the season. You’re just relying on him going well in the first 8 weeks and selling.

I don't pray to God; I pray to DCE

You’d still need to rely on him hitting that TS rate in the first 8 weeks.

BunnyAllStars

Hodgson may benefit from Rapana OUT…. As Rapana loved a dummy half scout or 3

I don't pray to God; I pray to DCE

I think it’ll be the opposite, as Rapana generated a lot of metres on kick returns and on the first and second tackles, laying the initial platform for the forwards, now they’ll have to rely on the likes of Oldfield and Abbey.

OnTheBus

Yes that’s why I was keen on BJ without rapana . Not sure if there are any stats when rapana didn’t play , also “soft” draw early .
Apart from BJ they don’t have the X factor in the backs, no rapana to get in his way for a scoot .

Edit: 3 games 15,16,17 last year for 86 26 64 .

Also with whitehead on the right edge in 2016 he and BJ scored well.
Not so well with tapine there , thoughts ?

CoG

Thanks CF. The Raiders minutes are madness at it’s best atm. Shame Papa plays Origin Has some appeal with a mobile pack around him. Raiders are the best attacking team over the last 3 years but so povo in D !

Looking at a few for the byes but mainly old JC.

scotchberry

If your starting with Hodgson I think you need to be mindful that there is a good possibility that he will not play 80 minutes until round 3. Raiders have a interstate 5 day turnaround and Ricky has stated and shown in the past that he will manage his players minutes differently around this. Especially considering that it is still going to be hot at that time of the year. I’d expect Havili to be relieving at hooker and hence using up 2 interchanges that would normally be used for the forward rotations. Its possible that he also manages his… Read more »

Damien Cooked

Great write up CF. Abbey is such a good price and objectively seems a lock that you would pick a starting fullback at cheapie price. Yet something about looking at him in my team makes me feel uncomfortable. Also can see the Hodgson appeal but for the same price you can get Smith. Concern is with Raiders who rely on attacking stats is that while the first 5 rounds are great it drops off afterwards and you may lose any value gained by the time the first bye rolls around. For that reason il probably only run with a Bateman… Read more »

Rex Bannercurse

Cheers Wilfred, For what it’s worth I had a look at forward minutes last year cos I’m thinking that there has to be a lot of wait and see with the raiders forwards. 8 – (Soliola, Luke Bateman & Lui 44 mpg *excluding Soliola 80mins in round 2) 10 – (Boyd 35mpg & Paulo 42mpg) 11 – (Papalii, Soliola & Tapine each had only one game under 80mins) 12 – Whitehead & Soliola 80mpg *excluding Tapine injured in round one) 13 – (Papalii held it down from round 8 at 68mpg) Sticky has been keen on 80min backrowers over the… Read more »