For the first 19 rounds of 2015, it looked like Canberra would finish in the top four or thereabouts. Coached by Mick Mantelli for the third year in a row, the Raiders started their year with a two-point win over Cronulla. A 50-point win over the Dragons was followed by two losses. Canberra then won five of their next eight games to sit comfortably in the top eight. Unfortunately, it all went downhill for the Green Machine after Round 19.
A 64-8 thrashing by Penrith was followed by a 78-12 flogging by the Cowboys. They managed a win over the Tigers in Round 22, then lost their next three games, conceding an average of 41 points a game. Top four hopes dashed, they were on the verge of missing the finals altogether before defeating the Eels in Round 26. A first week exit seem inevitable and despite their recent performances, the Raiders put up a brave fight, going down to the Tigers 24-22.
Canberra finished 2015 with the competition’s worst defensive record, conceding 811 points at an average of 34 a game.
Standout Players
The competition’s top offloader, Tevita Pangai Junior scored 10 tries and averaged 161 metres, 26 tackles and 4 offloads a game in 2015. Five-eighth Lachlan Lewis had 15 turnover tackles and 3 charges down as he led the side around in halves partner Lachlan Croker’s absence. Jack Williams was one of the competition’s most underrated players, playing every game, scoring 9 tries and averaging 114 metres and 26 tackles a game.
Top Pointscorer
Despite playing just nine games, Lachlan Croker scored 86 points in 2015, with 7 tries and 29 goals. The highly rated half had a hat trick and kicked 7 goals to equal a club record 26 points in a game in Round 9.
Top Tryscorer
Cameron Booth played one NYC game in 2013 but didn’t play a game a year later. He made up for lost time in 2015, scoring 14 tries and finishing as the Raider’s top tryscorer.
Best Win
Round 3 – defeated St George Illawarra 60-10.
Lachlan Croker was absolutely on fire in this early season clash. The halfback scored two tries, set up two others, ran for 209 metres and made 2 line breaks in the 50-point win. Every starting Raiders forward ran for well over 100 metres, with four running for 150 plus.
Graduates
Mitchell Barnett (2013-2014 – 41 games, 5 tries, 20 points)
A Knights lower grader, Barnett was a regular for the Raiders NYC side for two years. He moved up to the NSW Cup in 2015 and made his NRL debut for Canberra in Round 22.
Luke Bateman (2013-2015 – 41 games, 3 tries, 12 points)
A regular in Queensland junior rep sides, Bateman represented Queensland under-20s before he had played a Holden Cup game. He made his NRL debut in Round 1 and played six NRL games in 2015.
Player to Watch in 2016
17-year old Tre Williams scored a try and had two try assists in his NYC debut in Round 19 against the Sharks. The Kempsey junior would play five more games in 2015 scoring another try and kicking eight goals. A standout at this year’s U18 National Championships, Williams was selected on the wing for the Australian Schoolboys and looks to have a big future ahead of him.
Representative Honours
Luke Bateman – Queensland under-20s (1 try, 4 points)
Brenko Lee – Junior Kangaroos (1 try, 4 points)
Tevita Pangai Junior – Junior Kangaroos
Tre Williams – Australian Schoolboys
18TH MAN 