Canberra proved they are genuine NRL premiership contenders this year in a spirited 22-8 defeat of Canterbury at Belmore Sportsground on Monday night.
In the return of halves Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer from injury, the Raiders dominated their highly fancied opponents to spring a round-five upset at the iconic suburban venue before a boisterous crowd of 13,463.
Captain Jarrod Croker led the way for the visitors with 18 points, including two tries, with Austin, Sezer and Josh Hodgson a capable support cast.
The win was the Raiders’ second in 13 matches at the venue.
The Raiders dominated the big Dogs pack up front and their slick backline took advantage as the Green Machine moved to third on the NRL ladder.
Croker opened the scoring for Canberra in the seventh minute after Sezer put Josh Papalii through the Dogs line and the skipper backed up to stroll over untouched.
The visitors went further ahead in the 12th minute when Jack Wighton pounced on a deft Josh Hodgson kick.
A Sezer penalty kick in the 33rd minute put Canberra further ahead 14-0.
Canterbury finally found the tryline in the 35th minute when Josh Reynolds forced his way over for a halftime score of 14-4.
In a drama-charged second half, the Raiders went further ahead in the 54th minute through a penalty goal after Josh Jackson was sin-binned for a professional foul for slowing down the Raiders play-the-ball in a tryscoring situation.
With the Dogs down to 12 men, Croker crossed for his second try in the 56th minute as the visitors went ahead 22-4.
Hooker Michael Lichaa returned from a knee injury for the Dogs, but Chase Stanley could be set for an extended stint on the sidelines after suffering a leg injury.
Raiders interchange forward Iosia Soliola suffered a suspected fractured forearm in the first half.
There were reports of a bottle being thrown at the Raiders bench from the crowd after Croker’s second try.
Tony Williams could be in trouble with the match review committee over a possible first-half trip on Blake Austin.
Williams, in his 150th NRL game, was put on report with Sam Kasiano for making dangerous contact in a tackle on Wighton.
A Will Hopoate try in the 68th minute was too little too late for the Dogs.
Buckman
Guest
I'm a bulldogs fan and full credit to the Raiders last night, they were great. Bulldogs have had two decent halves of football all season - first halves against Manly and Souths. Every other game, and the second half of those games, they've been a very average team. The win against Penrith was a fluke from some last minute flair when the game was already lost, and Penrith choking. I can't remember a side that has looked so bereft of ideas in attack. We are truly the masters of wasting tackles inside the opposition 20. Every time we are down there they seem to pass the ball to a stationary forward who charges into an onrushing defence. Absolute waste. What about running angles, dummies etc. And don't get me started on the kicking game. These have been the same problems since Des took over, barring a brief patch when Barba played out of his skin. That all being said it's Mbye's first season in charge and he did look good in those two halves mentioned before. If he and Reynolds can click we'll have a decent backline to run off them and the Dessie game plan of big men up the middle, win with your defence, could take us a long way. That's a big if at this stage, though.
Big J
Guest
Great result for the Raiders, but the real test will come when they play the storm, Broncos and the Cowboys. As I've previuosly stated this seasons surprise three could be the eels, Titans and radiers. This is getting very interesting now.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
With Stanley gone, it will be Kerrod Holland kicking for goal though curious if he is in our top 25, otherwise it could be a problem going forward due to the second tier salary cap. I only saw 24 listed on the Bulldogs site, so not sure if he can be moved into the top 25 and Des was allowing one short to ensure that if someone broke through that they could be accommodated in the top 25 salaries so we didn't go down the path that some teams do when injuries arise.
catcat
Guest
The Dogs had the long turnaround this week but looked really flat in this game. Raiders were the opposite with fast line speed in defence and bustling run metres in attack followed up by some good kicking. Morris had his hands full with BJ Leilua- looking forward to Round 2! Morris put one of his fends on and BJ grabbed him and put him to ground- so sticky in defence Morris could not get past him all night. Conversions must be at an all time low at the Canterbury club after a decade or so of 90% plus (Hokko, Hazem, Halligan)...... that will lose them a few games unless MBye improves....
HarryT
Guest
What is it with the Bulldogs not having a goal kicker in the team?
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Yeah, but still a young country, with not a very good education system. Sp Hunters going good though.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I must admit I did not see this one coming. The Raiders are looking more and more like a top four team. They absolutely nullified the Bulldogs forwards and their back were devastating in both attack and defence. I was really expecting the Dogs to come out and stamp their authority on the game but they were well contained. The backline attack was very predictable and Raiders sliding defence pretty much had them covered. Special mention to Joey Leluia who played a great game on return from suspension and absolutely shutdown Morris and anything that came down his side bar. Apart from the freak overhead inside ball from Rona they were well contained all night. The Raiders bench is also very strong and they keep the momentum going....not only the bench but the reserves who filled in when Sezer and Austin were out acquitted themselves well. Looks like the green machine will be a force to be reckoned with this year.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I think they were flat Baz because they had a delayed reaction to the tough and brutal Good Friday match. No wait...
Renegade
Roar Guru
I had them down as top 8 certainties but big call for top 4.... You'll be rolling in cash if it happens mate!
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I think too if you look back at the Raiders problems this season, there edges have been poor, but last night they were great. So the attacking structure to go at there supposed weakness backfired when the Raiders decided to fix the problem.
Dean - Surry Hills
Roar Pro
Is Reynolds the reincarnation of John Hopoate? I thought Dogs sniffed butts before taking action.
Agent11
Guest
Was most impressed with Leilua. He shut down the Bulldogs left side attack and didn't have any brain snaps.
Dean - Surry Hills
Roar Pro
Spot on Rene. My big bet on The Raiders finishing top 4 is meandering into life.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Never saw this game as an upset. Tipped the Raiders confidently knowing that Sezer, Austin and Leilua were going to be back. And as the trend for teams that win big last start, to drop a level and underestimate the away team. Not totally convinced of the Raiders yet, a similar showing this weekend at Parramatta might change my mind. Don't fret Bulldogs fans, your team will bounce back against the out of sorts Melbourne.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Hope Laurie Daley was watching, Reynolds great game, Sezer, Austin and Croker excellent all round and Croker can kick, Boyd and Vaughan big units that take a lot of stopping. Laurie will wait till game three when we are two down and give Boyd a bench spot.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hodgson is probably the form player in the comp... And spot on about the unstructured play he produces. When he left the super league he wasn't really a big name and now look at him. I say it all the time, the standard of the super league is a lot better than we think.... Just about every Pom that has made the trip across has killed it in our competition. They just need the exposure more and this is why the world club series is so important.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hahaha good one baz!
$Bill
Guest
Grub living up to his nickname.....when did sexual assault in the work place become funny?
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Bottle chucking - an every week occurrence at our local PRL, don't you agree?
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
haha..the ole x-day turnaround excuse