The Canberra Raiders are through to the NRL preliminary finals after a commanding ten-point victory over the Penrith Panthers in Saturday’s NRL semi-final.
It wasn’t all one way traffic but there were no questions about who the better side was as the Raiders led from the first points all the way until the final siren, with their creative masterminds standing up and defence locking in well.
While the Panthers are now out of the competition, they can keep their heads high after a big win last weekend and a run into the finals after that looked shaky during the season. With a youthful squad they will be back next season and among the contenders.
The Raiders now move onto face the Melbourne Storm away from home next weekend.
Here are The Roar‘s talking points from the second NRL semi-final.
Can the Raiders hope to beat Melbourne in Melbourne?
The short answer is yes – absolutely. It was only a few weeks ago we must remember when the Raiders actually beat the Storm, albeit during a regular season game at their home ground.
Nonetheless, it was a win for the Raiders over the premiership favourites and was the match that really announced Canberra as contenders. There was almost a change in attitude after they matched the Storm in the middle of the park physically from ‘hey look, the Raiders’ to ‘hang on a minute. The Raiders could go all the way.’
But the long-winded answer to this all-important question is not if they were to play the way they did on Saturday Evening against the Penrith Panthers, or indeed the way they played against the Cronulla Sharks last week.
It’s almost like the pressure of finals is getting to the side at times as they look like a shell of the team they were running up massive scores every weekend in the regular season.
While most of their game is holding solid, there are plenty of flaws to iron out before next weekend if they hope to rattle the Storm away from home.
Everything from attack to last tackle options, kicking game and some defensive issues plus consistency for 80 minutes must be worked on and improved.
What was up with the Panthers fifth tackle options?
The longer the game went on, the more you had to questions the Panthers motives and gameplan for their fifth tackle and attacking options. While it has worked for them throughout the season at various points, including last weekend against the Bulldogs, their refusal to kick the ball cost them against Canberra.
Every single time down the field they were looking to run, pass and keep it alive for some sort of miracle play that might have led to a try.
As most of you will correctly point out, it worked twice in the space of a couple of minutes during the second half but that was after 55 minutes of pain really.
It’s not that running the ball doesn’t work – it does, but you need to have some sort of unpredictability about it and the Panthers didn’t have that in the slightest.
What makes it even more baffling is that they have the best up and coming half in the game with Nathan Cleary, and he refuses to take over the team and guide them through with a strong kicking game.
It simply doesn’t add up and the Panthers needed to address that at some point during the game if they were ever going to turn around their fortunes.
The Panthers will be a force next season
No matter how you viewed their last tackle options against the Raiders, there is no question the Panthers are building very nicely for next season and are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Give Nathan Cleary another 12 months of maturity and a full pre-season with the side, plus bring back the outrageously talented Te Maire Martin from injury and they have a halves combination that will be a force to be reckoned with.
What they do with Bryce Cartwright is a question but he is fantastic to have around the team. The competition for front row spots will only escalate with James Tamou arriving, and their young pack will have another year of experience under the belt.
Add the likes of Josh Mansour and Matt Moylan to gel the whole thing together and this is one scary looking Panthers side that could be incredibly entertaining to watch if they get it right.
Canberra’s right hand side is just phenomenal
Did you see it? Did you see Jordan Rapana’s try at the back end of the first half? Wow! The amazing thing is though, that is a weekly occurence for the Raiders right side and with Blake Austin back on the park they looked all the more dangerous agains the Panthers.
Every time the Raiders shift the ball that way you get the feeling something is just moments from happening, and whether it is a simple tackle bust or a try something normally does happen between Joseph Leilua and Jordan Rapana.
If they are to beat Melbourne next week, both of those guys will be amongst the best five on ground.
Josh Hodgson is possibly the most important hooker in the NRL
Hodgson didn’t have his best performance last night, but the difference between when he is on the field and playing hooker for the Raiders, against when he is either on the bench or playing second fiddle to Kurt Baptiste is absolutely incredible.
For most other teams you look at their dummy half and half think, yep they can get over that. The Storm without Cameron Smith would still go just fine, as would the Cowboys without Jake Granville.
The Cronulla Sharks with Michael Ennis is maybe the only other hooker that rivals Hodgson in terms of the value brought to a team.
Simply put, if Hodgson isn’t on the park the Raiders attack ends up looking slow and unorganised. They couldn’t have even cracked Newcastle’s defence.
Without him, as shown last weekend against Cronulla after he gets injured the Raiders simply don’t look like a finals side and therefore having him on the park against Melbourne next week, and for a potential grand-final appearance will be vital no matter what little niggle he might be carrying.
There you have it Roarers – our talking points from the second NRL semi-final. What did you make of the game? Did I miss anything? Let us know in the comments below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
mushi
Roar Guru
Had a clause in my contract that effective would allow my company to fire me with cause if any statements inconsistent with our media policy could be attributed to me. Wasnt worth the risk to keep posting given the email address was linked to my old work account.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
I agree 100% the Raiders got a way with SO much crap in the ruck it was absolutely ridiculous.
The eye
Guest
Panthers werent in the game for the first 50..that'll do me..
Doogs
Guest
Good point on the Panther's kicking game. I understand they did score both tries on the last tackle but it seemed very odd.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
JOE he is another Smith - Brandon and he is a beauty.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Penrith certainly have the talent... but so do the Warriors. With the likes of Whare and TMM to return anything but a Top 8 spot for Penrith next season would be a massive failure. I have them pushing hard for a Top 4 spot. Meanwhile, I really can't see the Raiders getting close to the Storm. I would love to see them win but I just can't. Melbourne 38-16.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
That was 2008... but i still agree with Scott... Hodgson gone for Raiders is a far bigger loss than Smith gone for the Storm. The Storm wouldnt be as clinical and they lose a lot but they can cover for him better than the Raiders can for Hodgson.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
The Panthers weren't even in the game for the first 50 minutes and only really threatened in a 15 minute period. I hardly call that sustained pressure. If the Raiders had stuck to their game plan and completed their sets in the middle of the second half rather than going for some millionaire offloads they could and should have completely shut the Panthers out of the game.
The eye
Guest
Did you watch Hooks presser ? 50 missed tackles,43% possession and significant difference in completions..theres the loss...despite that still just 3 tries to two.. As he points out,it went from 18-0 to 18-12... in a blink it was the Raiders who 'were wobbling' under 'sustained pressure'...Panthers were swooping as they did a week earlier,then 'they shot themselves in the foot'..dropped ball and high tackles...cant prepare for that..ask the coach.. Raiders too good on the night and very deserving..
Doogs
Guest
Great article. Bit odd on mentioning Michael Ennis and not mentioning Cameron Smith. Never mind. Which leads me to another thing about the Roar. Firstly, well done to Canberra and congrats to the Roar staff who love them. They play a great brand of footy. Secondly, Tim Gore has been whinging all year about how other teams get favoured and how other teams hold down players in the ruck. Hey Tim, did you watch last night's game. I think you would. I know you hate play being slowed down in the ruck. So do I. I wish it wasn't so. But did you see your squeaky clean Raiders in the first half. They were all over the Panthers. Every play the ball was slowed down. It was only when they were 18 nil up that they decided not to lay all over them. I was not going for the Panthers so I am just calling it as I see it. I like Canberra but they won't be able to lay all over Melbourne. Different city. Tim, if Melbourne do what Canberra did next week, you will go nuts and write a 2000 word column about how they are grubs. I am getting in early because it will be predictable. Whoever wins the GF I hope they do so by not laying all over the man.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Some good points to come out of the refereeing on the weekend - Chechin was outstanding in the Cowboys vs Broncos final on Friday - didn't fall for all the milking for penalties that Milford, McGuire and many others tried on during the contest - just let the game flow which made it fairer and a great spectacle. Cummins at least policed the 10 metres in last night's game - unlike the 7 metres or so that operated in the Raiders vs Sharks Final. I think Chechin deserves a spot in the GF after his performance.
RogerRoger
Guest
Agree, high risk plays, inside their own half early in tackle count...big match inexperience. This is when you need the leaders to step up and clam that shit down.
Don
Roar Rookie
The Storm played a GF without Cameron Smith after he was suspended. They lost to Manly by about 40 nil.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Asofa Solomona is out for the season but you're right, he would have been handy against this big Raiders pack. Need big men to tackle the likes of Paulo.
Bruce
Guest
I thought Sutton had been dropped after the farcical Broncos reffing performance debacle last week. I note the famed Cummins/Sutton pairing that so influence SOO games was back in operation and true to form the trailing Panthers got the marginal calls to get them back in the game. 2 penalties for non event transgressions plus marginal knock on rulings. How predicable another Cummins game where the trailing team gets back into game to be within a converted try. They were very reluctant to give the Head high tackle penalty in front of the Penrith pots which sealed the game. Sutton/Cummins for the GF without a doubt.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Where have you been hiding Mushi? The Roar has missed your insight.
Steve
Guest
The Dogs have been awful this year and were just making up the numbers. They couldn't put any scoreboard pressure on the Panthers apart from the first try and the inevitable happened. They just scraped home against the Titans by a point and were probably lucky to win that game. Apart from that they played a procession of teams with nothing top play for during the last 6 weeks of the comp. Not great preparation for a semi finals campaign. I reckon if you asked their coach he'd agree.
jamesb
Guest
Yep, I love the Viking Clap as well. Who cares if it's ripped off. If it creates a great game day experience and helps to bring in the crowds, then why not.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Rob, don't go on with this 'Ricky is not' as he has proven that he is, irrespective of what your babbling about. The Raiders have to be on their 'AAA' game if they will beat the Storm. I would like to see it but somehow I just ??? it!
Rob
Guest
The Raiders have made it and deserve their shot. They have the power in the middle and speed on the edges to go all the way. Most clubs would be envious off the talent the Green Machine has assembled. I'm not sold on Ricky being a great coach but he has been around long enough and is experienced about finals football. That will be invaluable for the young Raiders. They need early points and need to move the Storm around to win IMO. That said if they make errors and give up field position they will be taught a very hard lesson by Smith and Cronk. The Storm have a better side and will be better prepared than last time they met. Proctor and Asofa Solomona will make a big difference to what the Raiders faced in Canberra. They can win the Storm have a weakness but they need to play perfect to do it?