in the summer of 1993, head coach bob karruck announced his retirement and was replaced by his assistant vic flemming, who led the team to the 1994 national trophy final. raiders were pitted against sheffield forgers at their home sheffield arena and, despite a spirited performance, they lost by 60–62 to a sheffield team who would be crowned as carlsberg league champions the following year. flemming's tenure lasted only a season and that summer he was replaced by long-serving player gary stronach, who assumed the role of player/coach.