We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
It was the moment Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart knew this trip to Melbourne would be much harder.
Stuart and his Melbourne Storm counterpart Craig Bellamy famously catch up for a beer after every game - their mateship a throwback to when they played together for the Green Machine.
The Raiders have won their past four trips to Melbourne and it wasn't lost on Bellamy, the Melbourne mentor bringing it up over a coldie in the sheds following the latest Canberra win.
Melbourne head into Saturday’s NRL elimination final against Canberra as deserved favourites, but Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has a simple answer to that: “I love it”.
The Raiders have produced a stellar back half of the campaign to reach the post-season but will need to find another level to keep their season going, despite boasting an impressive record at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
They’ve won their last four matches in Melbourne, including a thrilling 20-16 win in round 18.
The Storm’s aura could finally be fading with fearless Raiders back-rower Hudson Young declaring “teams don’t want to play us” during the NRL finals series.
Canberra head to Melbourne searching for their fifth consecutive win in the Victorian capital, one that would end the Storm’s premiership hopes and continue Canberra’s stunning surge.
An elimination final in the backyard of a premiership powerhouse offers Young a chance to press his claims for selection in Mal Meninga’s...