Raiders’ star in for eighth season

STAR import CJ Massingale will this year play his eighth straight SEABL season with the Knox Raiders.
Massingale is widely regarded as the best ever Raider and its most successful import – the 29-year-old has three conference championships, a SEABL championship, two MVPs, a grand final MVP, five All SEABL selections, and four consecutive years as scoring champion, under his belt.
He was the only current player selected in the 10 greatest SEABL players of all time at the league’s 30th anniversary gala last year. But 2011 didn’t all go his way.
“Losing to Bendigo again in the conference grand final was hard to swallow, especially being at home,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to the SEABL grand final to be able to bring home a championship banner.
“It has been extremely tough losing two consecutive conference finals.”
Another import, Lester Strong, has also signed on for another season with the Raiders, and will attempt to lead the side to its fifth consecutive SEABL Conference grand final.
The season will be his fifth in the Raiders’ uniform. He was last year named in the All SEABL alongside Massingale.
Strong has worked on his fitness during the off-season, and he hopes to become a better defensive player and stay out of foul trouble.
“My goal this year is to take it one step further individually and become MVP, not just All-Star five,” he said.
“I think sometimes I can block everything and that’s when the fouls start being called. It’s getting better and I think it’s a bit of maturity and I hate to say it but a little bit of age as well.”
The SEABL season will start with a double-header against Dandenong on Saturday 17 March. Raiders fans can get their 2012 Raider Nation memberships before Friday 9 March to receive an invitation to the season launch on Wednesday 14 March at the Knox Club.