Roar Guru
Full time: Brisbane Broncos 13 – 12 Canberra Raiders
It was a slow start from sides, as some sloppy ball handling from both sides led to attacking opportunities.
Some silly penalties by Canberra gave Brisbane the chance to take an early two-point lead, which they did via Jordan Kahu.
Both sides had their chances in attack, however both sides showed great resilience in the back, not giving away any space.
Brisbane had the better chances, but it was the Raiders who would get the next points on the board, also via Jarrod Croker’s converted penalty.
After the first 40 neither side could get over the line, as the sides went into the half with the scores locked at 2-all.
Brisbane started off the second half much better than the first, and were rewarded for it.
Andrew McCullough finally got the first try of the game, ploughing down the middle of the Canberra defence to force himself over the line in his 200th game.
Kahu converted as Brisbane took a six-point lead.
The Raiders continued to give away cheap penalties, and were punished for it, as Darius Boyd crossed the line for Brisbane’s second try.
This time Kahu couldn’t convert, his kick hitting the post.
The Broncos continued to attack, but the Raiders managed to hold them off, get an attack of their own and score down the end via Jordan Rapana.
However, Croker’s kick also hit the post, as the Raiders remained behind by a converted try.
The Broncos had attack after attack after some poor ball-handling by Canberra, however it was the Green Machine that got back in the game late after some great football, and then a try, from Blake Austin.
Croker kicked the conversion to put the game back to even with six to go.
Then, Kahu put the Broncos up shortly after finding space to knock the ball through the posts via an excellent field goal, that hit the post and went in.
Austin looked to get one back from long range, but couldn’t find the mark, as Brisbane held on to go from two heartbreaking losses in a row to a one-point lead.
The final score at Suncorp, Brisbane Broncos 13, Canberra Raiders 12
The Brisbane Broncos will be looking to bounce back from two straight losses when they host the Canberra Raiders. Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
After two agonisingly close losses in a row, against the North Queensland Cowboys and the Melbourne Storm, the Broncos have slipped out of the eight.
They haven’t lost to the Raiders at Lang Park since 2010 though, and have only conceded 53 points this season.
Brisbane are also back to full strength, with Tevita Pangai Jr back in the squad after missing last week’s loss.
The Raiders had two losses to start their campaign, including an embarrassing 42-16 capitulation to the Cronulla Sharks at home.
However, the Green Machine bounced back in a big way in Round 3, making it up to their home fans by smashing the Wests Tigers in an incredible 46-6 win.
Josh Papalii has been in great form, running for an average of 144 metres per game, and racking up 225 metres against the Tigers.
After being tipped to contend for this year’s premiership, the Raiders find themselves sitting in eighth position but with only a 1-2 record.
They were dealt a four-point loss on the road by the Cowboys in Townsville in Round 1, losing 16-20, before being absolutely smashed at home by the Sharks in Round 2, 16-42.
Last week however they gave the Wests Tigers a thumping, dealing out a 46-6 victory that was shortly followed by Jason Taylor being sacked as the Tigers’ coach.
Both sides are in a position where they need to get some wins on the board to keep up with the finals fancies. One of the two is going to wind up being a 1-3 side.
Prediction
Brisbane will be looking to put some heartbreaking losses behind them, and have a big home-ground advantage. Canberra however, have all the momentum.
Raiders by 2
Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.