The Raiders faced criticism despite their achievements, but recent adjustments have revitalized their performance, unlocking key players' potential.
In Canberra, nobody expects the Sydney press to give the Raiders their due.
The blokes in the changeroom know the reality - performing for a high-profile Sydney club will always get bigger headlines than doing the heavy lifting in green.
So, when the predictions came out that the wheels would fall off after the 2025 Minor Premiership, nobody down south was surprised.
For the first half of this year, the critics actually looked right. The Raiders stumbled, slid down the ladder, and looked completely out of rhythm.
But the ship is turning. Shifting Ethan Strange back to his preferred left edge has unlocked his natural weapons and given Kaeo Weekes the space he needs to cause absolute havoc.