Predicted Finish: 1st
Actual Finish: 5th
Much was expected of the Raiders coming into 2020 and they didn't disappoint. Although they couldn't secure a Top Four finish as expected, the Raiders missed out purely on points differential. They would not have looked out of place making a return to the decider but fell well short in the Prelim to the eventual Premiers.
2. Lowlights
- Never in the Prelim: Despite the fact the Raiders made the Grand Final playoff, truthfully they were never in the game at all. The Storm rushed out to a 24-0 lead before Canberra even realised there was a game going on. A Nick Cotric try in the 29th minute provided the slightest of hopes, however not for a second could even the biggest Canberra fan have thought they were Grand Final bound. It was an unfortunate way for an otherwise brilliant season to end but they were caught unawares from a rampant Storm outfit. Nightmare stuff early on.
- Missing the Top Four: This sounds like nitpicking, because it 100% is. That said, no side has won the competition from outside of the Top Four in the NRL era. The make up of the finals heavily rewards a top four finish, and Canberra made it very difficult for themselves by finishing fifth. Again, nitpicking but the mental hurdle between that fourth and fifth placed finish is hard to describe. One more regular season win and they're far more likely to make a second straight Grand Final. With the talent available, perhaps 5th was a little disappointing.
