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A fantastic game of footy has suffered an anticlimactic finish, as the Knights and Raiders traded field goal attempts in a 24-all result.
REPORT: DRAMATIC DRAW FOR KNIGHTS, RAIDERS
The Knights dominated the second half of footy, scoring three quick tries to take a 24-18 lead with just over five minutes to play. However, a moment of brilliance from Jordan Rapana would get the Raiders back in the game, and Jarrod Croker nailed the conversion to send the game to extra time.
Debutant Cory Denniss scored two tries on debut for the Knights, while Sam Mataora and Pat Mata’utia also got onto the scoreboard. Josh Papalii, Iosia Soliola, Jordan Rapana and Brenko Lee all got over the line for the Raiders.
Final score
Newcastle Knights 24
Canberra Raiders 24
The Newcastle Knights have been very poor over the first two weeks of the season, but they’ll get a chance at redemption when the improved Canberra Raiders come to town on a Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5pm.
The Knights have been poor over the first two rounds, there’s really no way around it. After an opening loss to the Titans on the Gold Coast, Newcastle a suffered 42-point embarrassment at the hands of the Rabbitohs last weekend. Not much has gone right for the Knights thus far, but coach Nathan Brown will be hoping that his club can put up a better fight in their first game in front of a home crowd.
The Raiders have flown out of the blocks in 2016, with back-to-back wins over the Panthers and the Roosters giving them the perfect start. However, their success hasn’t been without loss, as both of their Round 1 halves are injured, and they lost centre Joey Leilua during the week to suspension. Ricky Stuart has the Raiders playing good Canberra football, and a third win on the trot would set them up beautifully for a tilt at the Top 8, and potentially the Top 4.
David Bhana suffered syndesmosis of the ankle last weekend, so he will miss two months. His absence means that the previously suspended Pauli Pauli will get a shot at regaining his first grade spot. The Late mail also has Akuila Uate missing the clash, with youngster Cory Denniss set to make his debut. Jaelen Feeney may also lose his fullback spot, with Dane Gagai set to move into the number 1 jersey, and Sione Mata’utia to move into the vacated centre position.
The Raiders have one change for this clash, with Brenko Lee to play his first match of 2016 in place of the suspended Joey Leilua. Shaun Fensom and Lachlan Croker were under an injury cloud during the week, but both are expected to take their spots in the side.
Prediction
The Knights could be in with a shot here, as they have a more experienced halves pairing for this clash. However, the Knights have been extremely underwhelming, and it’s tough to see how they will go about getting their first win. Canberra should do just enough to take the chocolates.
Canberra by 6
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