After a tough loss, Joe Tapine is determined to lead the Raiders' comeback next season.
In the tunnel after the Raiders' season came to an abrupt end last weekend, with a swollen nose and blood spatter on his jersey, dejected skipper Joe Tapine was already plotting how Canberra will come back bigger and better next year.
The influential prop's broken nose was still leaking claret an hour after the full-time siren ended Canberra's quest for the Provan-Summons Trophy, courtesy of a wild high shot by Sharks forward Toby Rudolf.
But the blood didn't distract Tapine from the mission he plans to lead next season, and he had a crystal clear message for disappointed Green Machine fans.