Pushing the Josh Dugan Barrow
I was watching the Canberra Raiders school their more fancied rivals Parramatta last Monday when my phone flashed and buzzed like it had been electrocuted. I had just received three simultaneous texts and all were from those who would be colloquially referred to as colourful racing identities.
Prior to the season we had all decided to lay Parramatta at their short quote for the premiership. There were too many red flags. For the majority of last season, Parramatta was a bad team mired in the bottom half of the ladder. The reason behind their resurgence, Jarryd Hayne, had just signed a massive long-term deal and security rarely encourages top class football. A number of the Eels big name players were renowned for their inconsistent performances. They were missing a top shelf half. Their pack seemed somewhat shaky with a soft underbelly and aging legs.