Dynamo Canberra five-eighth Terry Campese fell two points shy of equalling a record set by club great Mal Meninga in the Raiders’ 74-12 demolition of Penrith today, and his captain is taking the blame.
Campese had scored four tries and ten goals when forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs fell over, close to the posts, for the final try of the day in the 80th minute.
He had amassed 36 points and Meninga’s club record of 38 in a game seemed easily in reach.
But, like a game of school footy, the scoring had to be shared.
“I was the one who suggested, ‘give Herbie a kick’,” skipper Alan Tongue said, referring to young halfback Marc Herbert who took the final conversion.
“I feel very, very bad about it, I had no idea and Campo gave me the evil eyes when he walked into the dressing shed,” Tongue said with a broad smile.
It was the only thing the skipper had to worry about.
Penrith were abysmal and coach Matt Elliott had little to say: “We got our pants pulled down, our bums spanked.
“There’s not a real lot to say, there’s a lot to feel about it.”
The loss was another nail in the coffin of their finals hopes and skipper Petero Civoniceva was bitterly unhappy: “We all played a part in it. Attitude, that’s probably a big part of it.”
Penrith’s last four opponents include Melbourne and New Zealand while Canberra, sitting in the top eight, have a much easier run to September including away games against Souths and North Queensland.
For coach Raiders Neil Henry, the 12 on the scoreboard was more impressive than the 74.
“We talked about having a defensive focus at half-time,” Henry said.
“If we have got 17 men out there that are willing to work hard for each other and they’re focused on what they need to do then you can get a result and certainly things clicked today.”
The only negative for Canberra was a medial ligament injury to hooker Glen Buttriss which means Henry will need to again reshuffle a side already missing three players out for the season with injuries along with the sacking of Todd Carney.
Dave
Guest
Hopefully Furner will start where Henry left off. Once again brings to mind the old addage of a 'champion team' as oppose to a team full of champions. Great mix of young, hungry forwards and imaginative and confident backs. The only problem I see over the next 3 years will be holding the team together. The 'brain drain' from Canberra has to be one of the worst in the NRL and unfortunately has nothing to do with the club, players or coaches but by Canberra itself. If Raiders don't get a sell out crowd at the next home game it will show that the territory has been well and truly lost to the Brumbies.
The Link
Guest
Spot on Dave, they're everyone's second team at the moment and good on them. A great brand of football, along with likeable workaholics like Alan Tongue. Will be interesting if they can keep it up next year with Neil Henry missing, David Furner's inheriting a team and club on the rise.
Dave
Guest
Unbelievable match. The Raiders have got to be considered the entertainers of the NRL (atleast at home). Although they don't have the depth to make the GF, if they cement sixth place they would definately be a chance to upset the sharks. They are the only team in the NRL nobody minds cheering for...