In the pre-season it looked as though the Raiders would be serious title contenders. They had the roster, the coach and a big home ground advantage.
Fast forward 11 rounds and this is a club in crisis.
They sit 11th with just four wins and have just lost their halfback, and Ricky Stuart spends more time delivering ridiculous excuses in press conferences than he does anything else.
Not to mention their captain stepping down and recently admitting perhaps he needs to move on.
Simply put, they need to make some signings to re-launch in 2022.
They're not in a re-build as they still have a side capable of doing great damage, but they need a sprinkling of players to re-energize the squad.
Below are five players I believe they SHOULD target. These are just personal opinions and I have no information as to whether they're talking to players past what has made the papers.
That said, I have tried to keep it realistic. For instance, I'm not suggesting they can go out and lure Cameron Smith out of retirement.
Let us know in the comments below who you think the Green Machine need to target.
3. Tesi Niu
For as long as I can remember the Raiders have always had strike centres capable of busting any defense open. With the greatest respects, in 2021 that is not the case.
Curtis Scott, for his great moments, hasn't produced anywhere near the form that saw him win a title in Melbourne, while Jarrod Croker looks to be winding down what has been a magnificent career.
Sebastian Kris is a monster but the fact they haven't re-signed him suggests his future may sit elsewhere. Possible in the back-row too just quietly.
Tesi Niu is currently out of the lineup in Brisbane yet showed some incredible skills earlier in the season. He is a future star and should be given the chance to find regular first grade footy.
The Raiders, if they choose to move on from Croker, could cash in on Niu's potential.
