Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said his team “lacked any quality or execution” after they gave away another lead allowing the Warriors to steal victory in the second half.
The team from the nation’s capital led 20-12 after the first half, but went down 21-20 after veteran playmaker Shaun Johnson slotted a field goal.
The Raiders have now lost five games in a row and have lost seven out of eight second halves, being outscored 107-38 in the final 40 minutes of games.
When asked how he saw the clash in the post-match press conference, Stuart slammed his team, taking a subtle dig at the Warriors.
“Yeah that whole second half was undisciplined, lacked any quality or execution, it was just very disappointing,” Stuart said.
“I am glad they were as bad as us.”
The Raiders coach also took the time to apologise to fans of the Canberra side, who have a reputations of having a loyal supporter base.
“Publicly I am lost for comment in regard of the quality of that performance in the second half and for any loyal fan and any real fan we have got left it, I feel really embarrassed and sorry for them,” Stuart said.
Making matters worse for Stuart, he now faces at least two weeks without five-eighth Jack Wighton after he was charged with a Grade 2 dangerous throw on Reece Walsh.
Wighton will be sidelined for three games if he fights the charge and is found guilty at the panel.
When asked if there is something he can single out as the issue for the Raiders, Stuart kept his cards close to his chest.
“Mate I can put my finger on it, but as I said from a public point of view it is not something that I need to discuss here at a press conference,” Stuart said.
Raiders captain Jack Wighton said his side giving away a second-half lead is becoming “too common”.
‘We shot ourselves in the foot massively again,” he said.
“It’s become too common. We’ve got to find a way to become winners again. At the moment we keep letting it slip. I’m a little bit lost for words and it’s something we have to look at tomorrow and we have to move on fast.
“It’s no secret we have to stick together and go again. It’ll be too hard if we start looking at each other now, so that’s something we’re looking forward to doing this week.”
As it stands, the Raiders are sitting 15th on the competition ladder after eight rounds, sitting above only the Bulldogs who have recorded a single win in 2022.
SOURCE: FOX SPORTS