The Canberra Raiders finally clicked into gear and secured a commanding 46-6 victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday.
The first half was a well-contested affair and the Tigers certainly had their chances to post points against Canberra, but they really lack a clinical edge in the halves to take advantage.
Canberra meanwhile took a while to click into gear, but when they did, they never looked back as their star players put the Tigers to the sword.
Despite the big win, the Raiders still need to improve if they hope to beat Brisbane up at Suncorp next week.
If both teams show up with their best this Friday, it could end up being one of the games of the season.
The Tigers meanwhile are back at Liechardt Oval and face the Melbourne Storm next Sunday.
With their backs against the wall, can Wests turn their season around against the premiership favourites? Time will tell…
Final score
Canberra Raiders 46
Wests Tigers 6
Swannies
Guest
Raiders over-achieved last year and will struggle to Improve on that. Flat track bullies...invincible at home but suspect away.
zim
Guest
They've built the season around being at their peak at the backend. Losing away to Brisbane early in the comp after a 5 day turn around to Brisbane's 8 is not a true indication in the slightest. Their defence kept Thurston mostly quiet when he had 60% possession in round 1. They then got towelled up by the sharks. Equating early season form to top 4 performance at the end of the year is pointless.
E-Meter
Guest
Not making excuses for the Tigers but they did lose two players to concussion. Wouldn't have made much of a difference perhaps.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Jason Taylor has been terrible at every football club he has ever coached. How he keeps getting a job is beyond me. He starts well, has the initial success to fool people into thinking he's going alright, but within a few months has reached the limits of his talent and personality and inevitably tails away.
Kobi
Guest
Sack Taylor problem solved
Agent11
Guest
I remember Brooks, Moses and Tedesco being talked up as the next "big 3" a few years ago. Nothing much has changed for them or the Tigers since then.
Swannies
Guest
Raiders won't take much out of this result except improving their differential. Next game in Brisbane will be a true indication of where they stand in the competition. Should make the finals but will struggle to match it with the top 4, especially away from home .
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah agreed. They just seem to go missing as soon as the chips are down. Two weeks in a row the scoreboard has been level after 30 mistake filled minutes for the Tigers to go in well behind at halftime and get pumped second half.
Joe
Roar Rookie
That was just shocking from the Tigers. Was expecting a 13+ game and the Raiders to bounce back but that was humiliating. Two weeks in a row getting thrashed. Defense is pretty non-existent at times.
DJ01
Guest
The Tigers are a waste of space. Been a garbage football club for a long time. Kick them out and bring back the Bears.