The Canberra Raiders came from behind to record a ten-point win over the Parramatta Eels on Sunday.
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Final score
Raiders 28
Eels 18
The Canberra Raiders look to continue their hot run of form and maintain a high position on the ladder when they host the struggling and out-of-contention Parramatta Eels. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2pm (AEST).
The Raiders have been in astounding, pulling off some huge victories over competition heavyweights.
While they have won seven straight, many of those were during the Origin period against weaker sides, or the South Sydney Rabbitohs when they ran up 50.
It has been the last fortnight though that has confirmed their credentials as premiership contenders.
The top two sides in the competition, the Cronulla Sharks and Melbourne Storm, presented themselves back-to-back for the Raiders and after beating the Sharks away from home, they put on a convincing performance against Melbourne to now sit third on the ladder.
A win in this match would confirm the Raiders’ position in the top four come finals time, and a valuable second chance, while it would also move them closer to the top two and a home final.
The Eels, on the other hand, have gone from bad to worse since the salary cap drama broke, and they seemed to hit rock bottom last week with their defence faltering as they played the Brisbane Broncos back into form.
They eventually went down 38-16, having never been in the contest. After a rare win over the Manly Sea Eagles the week before, it looked as if the wind was finally taken out of Parramatta’s sails.
Their attack has been struggling, and it is all down to their creative combination of Jeff Robson and Clint Gutherson, and how they play in tandem with Michael Gordon that defines Parramatta’s performance.
In a big blow for the Raiders, Josh Hodgson is out with suspension. Kurt Baptiste goes to hooker with both Adam Clydesdale and Jarrad Kennedy added to the bench.
Beau Scott and Semi Radradra are back for the Eels, with Rory O’Brien and Vai Toutai missing out.
Prediction
The Raiders, at home and in good form, shouldn’t be challenged an Eels side who have nothing to play for and are down on manpower.
Just got a funny feeling this could get ugly in dry weather, Sunday afternoon football.
Raiders by 28.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 2pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Cugel
Roar Rookie
I didn't care for it either. Someone whispers in his ear "You can start for us" and off he shoots.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Couldn't agree more. Baptiste needs to be re-signed straight away for two seasons at least. Couldn't believe that he didn't start today in Hodgson's absence. He is easily the second best hooker at the Raiders. Some of us in the crowd were blowing up big time to Ricky to put Baptsiste on when the Raiders went down 16-0. Don't think it was any coincidence that when Baptiste was off the field the Eels scored 18 but when he was on zero.
Jono
Guest
A decent comeback in the end. Raiders had another gear and the Eels simply didn't. Can only think in the end it was complacency by the team from hearing how they were certainties to win and thought the Eels might just let them have it. Let's hope they learn from this and don't do the same next week against another side that has "nothing to play for". Has Baptiste resigned beyond the end of this year? He's played quite well off the bench all year and it is hard to imagine that other teams wouldn't be looking at him as a possible starter.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Geoff, Yeah have to give Eels credit for their attack, but they just fell away in the second half. Not just the Raiders effort against Melbourne either - Cronulla the week before that.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Good call Scott. Horrible first half by the Raiders but the Eels need to given some credit. Thought they played really well and created some good tries after some penalties by the Raiders. The Raiders may have been a bit flat after their big performance against the Storm. Raiders did well to come back from a 14 point deficit. Croker was the difference in the second half along with some great one on one try saving tackles from Jack Wighton. Thought Baptiste added a bit of starch in the middle when he came on and BJ Leilua's pass to Wighton to set up a try was superb.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results The Canberra Raiders have booked their spot in the top four and recorded their eighth straight victory, defeating the Parramatta Eels at GIO Stadium in a ten point come from behind victory. Brenko Lee had a four try effort, three of them in the second half to bring the Raiders back from a 14 point halftime gap, his combination with Jarrod Croker proving deadly. The Raiders though, undoubtedly missed Josh Hodgson and they got lucky the Eels switched off on both ends of the park during the second half. Their attack, particuarly early seemed to lack any threat with Aiden Sezer and Blake Austin's combination struggling badly. That picked up during the second half though to prove they could play without Hodgson. After their forwards were dominated during the first half, they managed to come back in the second, and proved to be the catalyst for the game to turn around, along with Croker's fantastic passing ability. Errors also were a major talking point from the game, with the Raiders only making five compared to the Eels 15. The Eels opened the scoring through Michael Jennings in just the fifth minute with Jeff Robson putting in a grubber towards the goal posts, Blake Austin making a meal of it and Jennings scoring one of the easiest tries he will ever score. Semi Radradra would be the next to score out wide, with a fantastic play that once again involved Robson and then Jennings, who drew the defenders in from the wing and threw a pin-point ball for Radradra. Their third try in a row would be scored down the left edge once again as Clint Gutherson put Semi Radradra around the defence and through the line, all the way to Wighton where he linked up with Bevan French who streaked away to score. After having one try disallowed, Brenko Lee would get the Raiders on the board with a try in the corner off an exceptional pass from Jarrod Croker. The second half wouldn't see the Eels score a single try though with the Raiders running on five. The Raiders looked to have started the second half similar to how the first half kicked off, but proving the statement one play can turn a game, Joseph Leilua ran from dummy half 30 metres out, linked with Jarrod Croker on the fly and he would go straight through the line and around everyone to score. Lee would then score three tries in a 16 minute period. The first of those came off a deflected kick that saw the Raiders get a lucky bounce of the ball, the second off a beautiful sweeping play left - the final pass coming from Croker and the third thanks to a bit of hiw own work as he managed to benefit on some nice passing, stepping around Michael Gordon to score. Iosia Soliola would put the game to bed about ten minutes from time, running onto a ball that Josh Papalii had received after a bomb. He put the foot down, set up a 2-on-1 and no one was stopping Soliola when he got his hands on it. In the end then, the Raiders with a dominant win over the Eels as they continue their march to September. Final Score Canberra Raiders 28 Parramatta Eels 18
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Hard to know what to do with that. More solid goal defence after some first half shakiness. The propensity to concede a penalty at the end of a set continued on from last week, they need to clean that up.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Alex, If they play like they did last week - no problems... If they play like they did for the first 22 rounds I'll be gone by halftime.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report to come shortly. Thanks for joining me this afternoon for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 NRL season as the Canberra Raiders recorded a ten point comeback win over the Parramatta Eels. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Round 24 continues now with the Sydney Roosters taking on the St George Illawarra Dragons - Riley Pettigrew is on to take you through that one over here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/21/sydney-roosters-vs-st-george-illawarra-dragons-nrl-live-scores-blog-4/ I'm back with the Vuelta a Espana tomorrow night... I'm thinking a 24 hour sleep before then. Been a big weekend! Bye for now.
Slickeel
Roar Rookie
Great 2nd half Canberra. Great young side who who be in the top 2 this year. Great crowd & Good luck for the finals.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Good call Scotty, hope you're awake enough for the Dragons game!
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Roar's NRL MVP 3 - Jarrod Croker 2 - Brenko Lee 1 - Josh Papalii
Scott Pryde
Expert
Statistics Tries: Raiders (6), Eels (3) Goals: Raiders (2/6), Eels (2/3) Penalty Goals: Raiders (2/6), Eels (2/3) Possession: Raiders (51%), Eels (49%) Completions: Raiders (28/36), Eels (21/34) All Runs: Raiders (157), Eels (140) All run metres: Raiders (1431), Eels (1382) Line breaks: Raiders (6), Eels (6) Offloads: Raiders (8), Eels (8) Tackles: Raiders (268), Eels (305) Missed tackles: Raiders (17), Eels (26) Penalties: Raiders (10), Eels (9) Errors: Raiders (5), Eels (14)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Statistics, MVP and report to come. Thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Raiders book their spot in the top four with their eighth straight win. No time for a restart, and a fantastic win for Canberra. Canberra Raiders 28 Parramatta Eels 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - Croker races back for the 20 metre restart and is out to halfway before Rapana has a run. Tapine through the middle and then they come to Soliola who is taken 20 metres out. Left through Austin and then Wighton who finds Croker and he is dumped onto his head by French. Penalty. Raiders 28 Eels 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - The Eels work it inside 30 through Radradra before they come right and Gutherson turns a ball inside for Edwards who beats one and then it comes out to Jennings who is tackled - needed to pass there. Looks like he is down with cramp as well. Left to Edwards, De Gois and then O'Brien. Terepo to Robson, then Ma'u and Radradra is held. Last play and Robson kicks high, but that's a shocker and Croker will have a seven tackle set. Raiders 28 Eels 18
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Leilua now makes a bust to get the Raiders set going before he looks to offload 30 out and it ends up with the Eels - Radradra on an immediate counter attack and he is almost caught by Whitehead before passing to French who grubbers ahead, looks to be taken out and forces the drop out. Raiders 28 Eels 18
Alex L
Roar Rookie
As an aside, his performance this game has been almost analogous for Michael Jennings career -- 20 minutes of excellence and 60 of mediocrity.
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - Radradra brings it away from the scrum before a spirited run from Pritchard is ended in a big tackle. O'Brien comes left and he is almost through before there is a shift left and Radradra is through, linking with Gutherson. Robson goes right to French and he dummies, held 20 out. Last play now and a shocking pass that Robson recovers, sending it across to Ma'u who has passed to Gutherson and he looks to send it straight on, but it goes to ground. Raiders 28 Eels 18