Raiders now Faiders of competition

The figures are set to infuriate even the calmest of Canberra fans.

Data shows the under-achieving Raiders are performing almost as well now in first halves as they did when they made the 2019 grand final and 2020 preliminary.

A study of Canberra halftime scores shows the Raiders are still either leading or level at the break in 56% of matches in 2021 and 2022.

Yet they have won just 12 of 32 games in that time at a strike rate of 37.5%, finishing 10th last year and currently stuck in 14th on the ladder this season.

It is a similar halftime success rate of 62% in 2019 and 2020, but the Raiders managed to win 66% of their games then to feature in the final four.

The issues are also highlighted on the scoreboard, where no team has given up more double-figure leads than the Raiders during that time.

On average in the past two years, Canberra have gone to the sheds with a one-point lead.

But in the second halves of games they have collapsed, conceding an average of 14 points and scoring just eight.

Those figures are in direct contrast to the numbers from 2019 and 2020.

Known as one of the fittest teams in the league in those two seasons, the Raiders went to the break with an average scoreline of 11-8, before their form after halftime.

Hence Canberra have earned the nickname of the Faiders, dropping halftime leads to be beaten 10 times since the start of 2021 while only coming from behind twice at the break.

Tonight Canberra play Canterbury, with each team looking to improve a 2-6 record. –