Raiders Face Crisis, Dragons Soar Under Flanagan
The Canberra Raiders have been dealt a significant blow with the news that star halfback Jamal Fogarty is set to miss most of the season due to a torn bicep. Fogarty’s absence is a major loss for the Raiders, who were already under pressure to perform after losing Jack Wighton in the off-season. However, the Raiders still have a number of talented players on their roster, including Joe Tapine, Josh Papali’i, and Hudson Young, and they will be determined to prove that they can still compete for a top eight spot.
In contrast to the Raiders’ struggles, the St. George Illawarra Dragons have had a surprising start to the season under new coach Shane Flanagan. The Dragons were expected to be one of the weaker teams in the competition, but they have won more games than they have lost so far and are sitting in the top eight. Flanagan has made a number of changes to the Dragons’ style of play, including moving Zac Lomax to the wing, and these changes have paid off. The Dragons are now a much more cohesive and defensively sound team.
The Warriors have had a tough couple of games, but they still have a strong team and should not be counted out. With the likes of Shaun Johnson, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, and Wayde Egan in their spine, the Warriors have the potential to be a major force in the competition. Rookie David Armstrong is set to make his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights, taking over the fullback position in the absence of Kalyn Ponga. Armstrong has been in impressive form for the Knights’ NSW Cup side and will be looking to make a statement in the NRL.
The 2023 NRL season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With a number of teams showing strong early form, it will be fascinating to see who emerges as the eventual champions.
