The Canberra Raiders are through to a prelim against the Melbourne Storm next week, winning by 10 over the Penrith Panthers.
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Final score
Canberra Raiders 22
Penrith Panthers 12
The second NRL semi-final sees a repeat of the 1990 and 1991 grand finals as the Canberra Raiders host the Penrith Panthers. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEST).
The Raiders find themselves in sudden-death football from here on out after failing to record a win last week in their qualifying final against the Cronulla Sharks.
Of course, the biggest problem to come out of that match was the injury to Josh Hodgson, but as of Friday Afternoon he has been cleared to play along with the Raiders’ livewire in the halves, Blake Austin.
The pair are massive inclusions for the Raiders, and much-needed ones as they try to spark their offence to a satisfactory level to overthrow the Panthers.
The Raiders entered the finals in form that was hard to read after they scored 96 points across two weeks, but also conceded 30 against the Sea Eagles and never looked to be quite at the top of their game.
They then got out to a lead against Cronulla last weekend before Hodgson was injured and they never looked like scoring again, falling 16-14 to the Sharks.
If the Raiders right side attack gets going though, which is fairly likely with Austin back amongst it then the Panthers defence will get a true test.
Penrith entered the finals in some red-hot form, putting up points and looking like they were one of the better sides in the competition with a defensive line holding opposition to low totals weekly.
They then took on the Bulldogs last week in the second elimination final, playing an absolutely fantastic second half to come from two down and take the victory, holding the Bulldogs to a single try in the final 40.
Matt Moylan is undoubtedly the key for Penrith, as he takes off a lot of pressure for their young halves combination Nathan Cleary and Bryce Cartwright, while also combining with outside backs Josh Mansour and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in stunning fashion.
The one thing you can be sure about here is we are in for a lot of points – both of these times are built around dynamic attacks and have weapons all over the park.
The only other team news to report is that Sam Williams will be the man to make way for Austin while Moses Leota has been added to an extended Panthers bench.
The winner of this match will go onto meet the Melbourne Storm in the third week of the finals.
Prediction
This should be a cracker of a match, and very entertaining at that. Canberra have got their full contingent of players, but the Panthers have been red-hot and should get the job done. Either way, expect there to be 50 plus points scored.
Panthers by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the second NRL semi-final from 7:40pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Doogs
Guest
I disagree. If they actually started a kicking game - which seemed to dissappear - they could have won this.
Doogs
Guest
best four teams statistically
Jake
Guest
Nice comment. From a panthers supporter. Deserved win! Good luck next week!
Jake
Guest
How was tha Crocker try downward pressure. Isaac Yeo injury after careless tackle critical point in the game. Raiders try just after him going off decided the game. Thought that panthers could win down 6-0 at half time. Hardaker 4th choice centre through necessity. Raiders won't beat storm next week although I will be cheering them on.
jamesb
Guest
Well done Raiders. Great to see someone new at a prelim final stage. As for Penrith, they were without Hiku, Whare, McKendry, Campbell Gillard and Te Maire Martin. Future looks bright for Penrith and young Cleary will get an off-season with the squad and will only get better.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
The Raiders forwards were very good and their defence strangled the life out of the Panthers in the first 55 minutes. Special mentions to Junior Paulo, Boyd, Vaughan, Soliola and Bateman. The Raiders started to run out of gas for the next 15 minutes but found another gear for the last 10. They won't be able to afford a lapse like that against the Storm next week but to be in a prelim is a fantastic effort. Couple of great games in prospect next week.
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
I'm so pumped to see the Raiders into a preliminary final. Meanwhile, the Panthers have a great team that will continue to be a force next year.
bear54
I'd like Sezer to take control of the game when we're in front and kick to the corners instead of playing touch football like tonight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I thought they were dominant tonight, but that's relative to the opposition. You are right Zedman, they need to step it up next week. Cheers for that! Three big ones at that!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results The Canberra Raiders have booked a date with the Melbourne Storm are through to the NRL preliminary finals are a commanding performance at GIO Stadium to take a ten point win over the Penrith Panthers. The Raiders maintained their dominance for most of the contest, and for the visitors it was a struggle to get into the contest in the first half, and then to capitalise on their opportunities in the second, which they struggled to do badly. Canberra led their game through the middle of the park and with that dominance were able to pounce all over the Panthers, leading the game 18-0 at one point before there was a comeback of sorts that just wasn't quite strong enough. Their forwards were led in a big way by Junior Paulo who seemed to mirror Jason Taumalolo of the North Queensland Cowboys last night in that he always looked dangerous and was nearly impossible to tackle at times. Blake Austin and Josh Hodgson being back in the side was a massive help for the Raiders in attack, and they flowed for the full 80 minutes on the ball despite making a number of errors - it was nowhere near as many as Penrith and they were able to capitalise on their opportunities. Arguably though, the biggest weapon for Canberra was Jack Wighton who had a brilliant game on both ends of the park, setting up plays, making plays and being as safe as a house at the back. With that firing on all cylinders, even a quiet period during the second half when the Panthers scored their only points of the match with back-to-back tries they were able to overcome it and close out the match. For Penrith they simply struggled to get any flow to their attack. While the forward pack stood up at various times, they were out-muscled and made a lot of silly decisions which led to countless errors, and frustrating ones at that early in the tackle count which let the Raiders off the hook defensively time and time again. Nathan Cleay and Bryce Cartwright simply didn't take control of the attack and their persistence with running the ball on the last tackle was painful to watch as they came up short numerous times, despite scoring their two tries doing exactly that. Matt Moylan, like the halves struggled to control the game with any real flare and their outside backs also failed to get involved enough to get Penrith out of trouble. The scoring opened in the 12th minute with Canberra on the attack as Blake Austin got a pass from Josh Hodgson, threw a massive dummy to the right and then stepped back through the defence to score. The second try was an extravagant long range one with Joseph Leilua making a break and then chipping a kick into the in goal out of a tackle for Rapana to run the rest of the way and score the try. At halftime, it was the Raiders 12-0 but there was plenty more action in the second half as the game opened up somewhat. It didn't take long for the Raiders to add to their total after the break, with a penalty in the first set, then a drop out before Jarrod Croker crossed in the corner off a wonderful play set up by nice passes from Aiden Sezer and Jack Wighton. From there, it was end-to-end play bungled by errors before the Panthers finally gained some momentum and scored their opening points in the 59th minute with Tyrone Peachey crossing off a wonderful long ball from Matt Moylan. The Panthers would set up what looked like it was going to be a cracking finish just minutes later when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored off a very scrappy play in the corner but it wasn't to be as Croker slotted a pair of penalty goals in the last ten minutes to end the season for Penrith. The Raiders then, with a dominant performance tonight but they now turn their attention to the Melbourne Storm away from home next weekend which will be far from easy with a spot in the grand-final at stake. Final Score Canberra Raiders 22 Penrith Panthers 12
Zedman
Roar Rookie
If the Raiders play like that against the Storm they are gone. Well done to the Raiders and their fans for a great season so far, it would be good to see some new blood in the G F. Great call Scotty, only three to go.
Muzz
Guest
Well done Raiders.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report to follow in due course. Thanks for joining me this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 NRL Finals series as the Canberra Raiders advanced to the preliminary finals and knocked the Penrith Panthers out of the competition with a ten point win. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. We will be back next weekend with the NRL preliminary finals, but before then there is plenty of live sport which includes the Sandown 500 in the V8 Supercars which I'll be live with tomorrow from 1pm (AEST). Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Roar's NRL MVP 3 - Jack Wighton 2 - Joseph Leilua 1 - Junior Paulo
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Statistics Tries: Raiders (3), Panthers (2) Conversions: Raiders (3/3), Panthers (2/2) Penalty Goals: Raiders (2/2), Panthers (nil) Possession: Raiders (58%), Panthers (42%) Completions: Raiders (28/39), Panthers (21/32) All runs: Raiders (188), Panthers (143) All run metres: Raiders (1688), Panthers (1303) Line breaks: Raiders (6), Panthers (2) Offloads: Raiders (15), Panthers (12) Tackles: Raiders (278), Panthers (343) Missed tackles: Raiders (14), Panthers (50) Penalties: Raiders (9), Panthers (7) Errors: Raiders (11), Panthers (11)
Jimmmy
Guest
Fair result I thought . The Raiders were the better team overall tonight and really were the better team all year. Penrith will get their chance next year. They are a top four certainty. The Raiders can test Melbourne but they do need a few things to go their way. Congrats to all you Raiders fans you deserve some success.
Fish
Guest
Crazy last ten minutes of refereeing. Seemed like whenever Canberra asked for a penalty, they gave them one. Scrappy game really. Lots of dropped ball and missed tackles, but that is the way both these teams play.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Preliminary Finals Here is the schedule for next weekend with the two winners going through to the grand-final. Friday Night - Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys @ Allianz Stadium Saturday Night - Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders @ AAMI Park
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Bottom line is the best 4 teams are still in the competition. Penrith got belted in the forwards and the Peachey-Mansour dummy half running combination didn't seem to be able to turn it around.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, a dominating performance from the Raiders and they are through to play Melbourne next week! Thoughts Roarers? Stats, MVP and report to come.