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The Panthers’ trip to Canberra loomed as a dangerous one with fatigued players coming off Wednesday night State of Origin action.
The inconsistent Raiders would surely fancy their chances in frigid conditions on a typical winter’s night in the nation’s capital. It looked cold, wet and slippery at GIO Stadium, yet the players once again displayed the sheer talent in the modern game.
The Raiders were struck a cruel blow within two minutes as Joseph Leilua took a knock to the head, left the field and was not to return.
On the back of a series of penalties, the Panthers dominated the early stages, possessing over 80 per cent of the ball in the first 20 minutes.
The visitors were error free until the 26th minute mark of the first half.
Despite their dominance, an early try to Tyrone Peachey in the corner after a James Maloney chip and chase was their only four pointer. The conversion was unsuccessful yet Maloney did subsequently add two penalty goals and after 11 minutes the Panthers led by eight.
Stunningly, the Raiders responded. It was hard to comprehend after the immense defensive workload they were forced to undertake in the first 20, yet a magnificent set of six saw the home side travel something near the length of the field and Nick Cotric score out wide.
A successful conversion had the Raiders within two, but it was hard to understand how the Panthers were not well in front.
A late penalty to Canberra saw the two points taken, despite the home side a man to the good and a full set looming on the Panthers line.
It was a brave half from the Raiders and a few sloppy errors late in the term actually cost them a lead going into the break. Their cause was aided by the sin-binning of Kaide Ellis in the 34th minute and the halftime whistle came just in time for the 12 Panthers struggling to defend their line.
An early second-half penalty to Penrith was followed by one of the most confounding decisions of the season, as Blake Austin appeared to play at the ball in a one-on-one tackle and knock-on. The subsequent loose ball was swooped on by the Raiders and the resultant grounding was astonishingly given the all clear.
The Raiders took a 14-10 lead.
Blake Austin (Photo: NRL images)
I’m starting to think the video referees are actually watching Marvel movies in the Bunker rather than the game itself. It is the only explanation I can find for the lunacy over which they preside each week.
As the grind began midway through the second-half, Canberra finally took the initiative after a flick pass from Josh Papalii saw Elliot Whitehead score out wide. The 20-10 lead looked like a potential match-winning one.
Sadly for the green machine, errors eroded that lead all too quickly. Peachey scored soon after and despite a Jarrod Croker penalty that kept the locals six clear, they couldn’t resist the late-charging Panthers.
Error after error riddled the Raiders’ second half and Dean Whare finished off a lovely chain of passes to score in the corner. James Maloney continued his excellent form with the boot, drawing things level at 22-all.
All that was left for the Raiders was to make another error and set up the game-winning field-goal for New South Wales halfback Nathan Cleary.
Even a late chance for Canberra down the right flank was bumbled with a handling error and Ricky Stuart must be struggling to know where to turn. Instilling some discipline and control into his team after once again stumbling to a mistake-ridden loss must be the number one item on his agenda.
There were some mystifying calls in the second-half and a non-decision on an obvious strip by the Panthers appeared a leveller for the earlier error involving Austin.
However, the Raiders cannot expect even a remote sense of consistency until the clumsy, juvenile errors are eradicated from their game.
Cbus Super Stadium hosted the late match, as the Bunnies travelled to take on the Gold Coast. The visitors appeared in control throughout yet each time they threatened to break the game open the Titans came back strongly.
Ryan James scored in both halves to draw the home side back into the contest after the Rabbitohs looked likely to skip away. In the end, the final 20 minutes saw the visitors left with a two-point lead and a chance to kill off the pesky Titans.
The tension grew, chaos ensued and errors reigned. The Titans looked the more threatening late, yet lacked the poise to seal the deal and Souths held on for the win when their best football was left somewhere closer to Redfern.
Damien Cook (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
The Panthers continue their surge to the top of the table and the Rabbitohs win their fifth in a row.
The Raiders and Titans will rue the chances they let slip and both seem far from semi-final contention, as we round the bend and head towards the finishing post of season 2018.