It’s been a long time coming, but the Raiders have added some silverware to the cabinet. But they want more. Photo Sam Gibson Raiders Media.
For decades, Canberra sports teams have used a siege mentality to push them to higher levels. In part, this attitude has driven the Raiders of 2025 to dizzy heights.
The Brumbies thrived on it to win titles in 2001 and 2004, while it was definitely there when the Raiders defied the odds to secure their first premiership in 1989.
The siege mentality condition is probably only fully understood and utilised to its full effect by people living in Canberra. It brings the community closer together for a common cause.
As Ricky Stuart said after securing the minor premiership for the first time in 35 years with the 24-10 victory over the Wests Tigers: “We were never meant to be here.”
He is referring to those who wrote the Raiders off at the start of the season, with some even forecasting the Raiders were favourites not so much for the premiership but for the wooden spoon.
Stuart has succeeded with a mix of youth, experience and rejuvenation. Corey Horsburgh and Josh Papali’i fit comfortably into the latter.
Despite only losing four games on their way to the JJ Giltinan Shield, it would appear the Raiders need to do more to win over the doubters.
Seconds after securing the minor premiership, the so-called experts and the keyboard warriors were at it again, suggesting the Raiders didn’t play the other teams currently in the top four twice during the season, so they didn’t deserve the minor premiership.
The Bulldogs are the only side in the top eight with a win over the Raiders this season after the Bulldogs recovered from being down 20-0 to beat the Raiders 32-20 at Canberra Stadium.
The remaining three losses for the Raiders this season came against sides currently not in the top eight; Manly, the Dragons and the Cowboys.
The statistics indicate the Raiders played better this season against the better-placed teams, proving the critics wrong once again.
While the minor premiership is probably more important to Canberra than Melbourne or the Panthers, it is still the entrée to a far bigger prize.
The Raiders’ premiership drought stretches back to 1994, the second-longest time between titles behind Parramatta, who last secured the crown in 1986.
In 2019, the Raiders came agonisingly close, only to go down to the Roosters.
While the memories of the 14-8 loss remain etched in the minds of hardcore supporters, the reality is that only three players from that day remain in the current team: Papali’i, Horsburgh and Joe Tapine, so there are very few residual scars from that day.
In fact, the focus seems to be on the 2025 team creating their own history to be etched alongside the legends of 1989, 1990 and 1994.
Given the absolute underdog status at the start of the season, a premiership victory would rank alongside that of 1989.
