If Gus Gould is to be believed, the grand final is only the start for Ricky’s Raiders.
It’s been 25 years in between grand final appearances for Canberra - and just over 18 months since Ricky Stuart delivered the “Soft. Soft football, soft pieces of play, soft choices and I've probably protected them for too long" barb at his players - but with the second-youngest squad at the start of 2019, there’s cause to believe the wait won’t be as long next time.
“The Raiders are on the verge of a very good era and I believe that their best is still in front of them,” Gould said Saturday on The Gus Gould Show
“I think the Roosters will win the grand final. The Raiders deserve their opportunity in this grand final but I think it’s still a developing team. Remember, next year they’ve bought Wigan half George Williams, I really rate him highly.
“The players the Raiders have bought from England have been outstanding and really had an impact on that club, but this playmaker just could be the cherry on top.”
Premiership windows aren’t just dependent on a team’s squad, though, with the never-ending cycle of building, attempting to maintain and then building again for the future altering squads’ fortunes.
“By 2020 – 2021, the older Cronulla Sharks will be starting to disband, as will the older Melbourne Storm team. We’ve already seen it happen to the Cowboys,” Gould said.
“Your big clubs like the Broncos and Bulldogs; these clubs are now going through transition periods.
“If you went through a period of development over the last four to five years and started to develop your side, you’ll be able to wear these sides down in the coming years.
“The Raiders are the NRL's emerging team.”
It’s arguable Canberra’s premiership window has been open before 2019. Last year, although they finished 10th, the Raiders lost eight games by a converted try. Case in point: their three straight defeats early in the season were by a combined five points.
The Raiders have found their mojo. So…how about them Panthers?
“I always thought the Panthers were moving in parallel with the Raiders but Canberra have got to the grand final and I think they’re about to wear everyone down.”
Cronulla fans may baulk at the suggestion their team is aging, with an average age of 24.9 – less than the Warriors, Wests Tigers, Roosters, Eels, Dragons and Cowboys at the start of 2019 – and the most experience – just ahead of the Cowboys.
Although, both of those figures will be heavily swayed by the retirement of Paul Gallen.
