Raiders seek to extend Canberra Stadium deal until 2014

[Social Loafer]

It’s a numbers game as Raiders rack up 200

The Raiders will celebrate their 200th home game at Canberra Stadium on Sunday and club officials want to ensure it remains home for at least the next seven years.

The Raiders contract at Canberra Stadium expires at the end of 2009, but Raiders general manager Don Furner Jnr revealed yesterday the NRL club would like to extend the deal for another five years beyond that.

The total crowd figure for Raiders matches at Canberra Stadium should exceed 2.5 million this weekend and the Raiders intend to reward the lucky spectator with a major prize.

But all Raiders fans could be winners if the club extends its deal at Canberra Stadium until 2014.

“We’re looking to speak to the ACT Government and Canberra Stadium towards the end of this year” Furner said.

“It’s like when you’ve got a good young player, when things are going well you want to sgin them up a bit longer. We’d like to secure our position here in Canberra. We’ve got three major companies sponsoring us now – local companies. If we can secure our future in Canberra, renewing that stadium deal perhaps for another five years, that would be very important for our future.”

Furner said this Sunday’s game against the Sea Eagles would be highly charged, claiming people loved to hate Manly when they were succeeding.

He said the Raiders wanted revenge after losing the season opener to Manly 32-6.

“Manly’s riding high, they’ve only lost one game” Furner said.

“They’ve go some really good players, they play attacking footy but people love to hate Manly. That’s a good sign for the game, people want to get out there and watch us beat Manly. It’s better they’re going well because then they’re loathed. We’d love to knock them off. They towelled us in the first game and we’d like to get them back.”

The Raiders have a 72 per cent winning record at Canberra Stadium and have won two of their three home matches this season.

Furner said the club wanted to re-stake Canberra’s reputation as a “fortress”.

“I know opposing teams don’t like to come here, it’s a hard place to win” Furner said. “They defend their turf with a lot more vigour, it’s like war. We hope to enhance that record this year and make sure it’s a fortress.”

Asked for one of his most vivid memories of matches at Canberra Stadium, Furner recalled the ‘snow game’ against the Tigers in 2000.

As the Raiders prepared to celebrate this weekend’s milestone, Furner said it was a symbol of the commitment from Canberra supporters.

“I think we’ve got the toughest supporters in the comp by far because they sit there in the cold of winter under the toughest conditions.”

The Canberra Times

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Hopefully this puts an end to all this media bullsh!t how there are great concerns for the long term future of our club.

oh and how is this for a prize for being the 2.5 millionth person to attend a raiders game at Bruce stadium

A trip for two to Queensland for three days / two nights including air fares from Canberra, accommodation (minimum 3 star hotel) transfers to and from airport in Qld., and meals (Dinner and breakfast) to be taken in conjunction with a Canberra Raiders match in that state. The winner will be able to choose which game they wish to attend from the Raiders v Brisbane Broncos game or Raiders v Cowboys game. Entry tickets to the game will be included. The winner will be responsible for their own transport to and from Canberra Airport, spending money and lunches.

Club Lime gym membership

$1000 Local Liqour voucher (See below for responsible drinking clause)

$1000 groceries from SupaBarn.

2 Raiders Memberships for Season 2008.
Total value; $7,500.

[Dakink]

Sounds good - but seriously where else in Canbera is there for them to go?

[Social Loafer]

Sounds good - but seriously where else in Canbera is there for them to go?

There are plenty out there that would love us to play our of the Central Coast...

[Capital_Shark]

A mate is hooking up piss cheap tickets to this match, so I'll be there bright and early Sunday arvo, hoping I'm the 2.5 millionth person. I could do with a holiday, with all the hard work I do and all..

[Dakink]

There are plenty out there that would love us to play our of the Central Coast...

Hell No!

The league needs two things for mine,

1 - The merger\relocation, forced if needs be, of some Sydney teams

and

2 - To be run under one banner controlled by one body.

The Raiders are one of the few franchises\clubs to make the nations capital work. Removing them would be opening the door for AFL in the area and would kill our game as a national sport.

[DIEHARD]

There are plenty out there that would love us to play our of the Central Coast...

Good point, great to see the Raiders recommitting to Canberra Stadium!