Penrith have produced their second remarkable NRL comeback in as many weeks to outscore Canberra 40-31 in a Panthers Stadium try-fest.
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Final score
Penrith Panthers 40
Canberra Raiders 31
The Canberra Raiders might be out of the finals race, but that won’t stop them pressing their credentials against traditional rivals the Penrith Panthers. Join The Roar from 4:10pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage of the match.
The Panthers have fallen off the radar since Peter Wallace announced his retirement from the National Rugby League however, they stop-fourain in the top eight and will be hoping to secure a top four finish in the final five weeks of the competition.
The chocolate soldiers produced a lucky escape to defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 28-24 at Brookvale Oval last weekend off the back of some individual heroics from young halfback Nathan Cleary.
A win will be integral in giving Penrith confidence ahead of the finals after some scares in recent weeks including a 50-18 defeat at the hands of the Broncos and 24-12 loss to the Sharks.
Anthony Griffin hasn’t made any changes to the team that played against the Sea Eagles, with Tyrone Peachey retained at fullback.
They could receive a huge boost in the forwards however with Reagan Campbell-Gillard looking at making an early return from a jaw injury after being named on the reserves.
The Canberra Raiders will receive the services of Aidan Sezer, returning from a hamstring injury, moving Blake Austin to the centres and Elliot Whitehead to the second row.
Nick Cotric will get his chance at fullback while Shannon Boyd returns from a calf injury on the bench.
Ricky Stuart will want to be wary of the Panthers’ powers to produce something out of nothing in the dying stages of the match after Canberra’s 2018 campaign has been marred by their now infamous collapses in the last quarter of the game.
The green machine haven’t had a win since defeating the Cowboys 38-12 in Round 18. While they don’t have anything left to play for, dropping out of the finals race with the Warriors likely holding onto eighth position, Canberra are rebuilding for the 2019 season and will want to stave off the likes of the Titans and Knights from catching up to them on the ladder.
Last time the Panthers and Raiders played, Canberra experienced heartache at the death as Nathan Cleary iced a field goal in the 78th minute to win 23-22.
Games between the two rivals have been well matched with 73 games of which Penrith have won 37 to Canberra’s 35 wins with one match drawn. The Raiders have had some luck at Panthers Stadium, winning
Prediction
The Panthers will produce a late charge to further add to the green machine’s woes.
Panthers by 4.
Join The Roar from 4:10pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
nearkurnell
Guest
I 'm not sure about it - looked like he cocked the elbow a bit there instead of dropping it straight down. I'm not saying it looked deliberate but may have been a bit of an instinctive reaction....
Rob
Guest
Yep. They have greyed the rules with the word “interpretation “. In doing so they are killing the game by managing officials for close results.
Jack
Guest
Just one comment Let's hope Penrith lose every game for the rest of the year. Maloney is the most annoying player going around and thinks he's just it. I don't find him the least bit funny off the field as well. Let's see "speed bump" Maloney tackle the Burgess brothers in the finals. Now that will be funny!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Who knows Mr X? You could be right. They could be top 4 or they could be bottom 4. Anything can happen in a new season. Look at the demise of the Eels and the Cowboys this year - and the emergence of the Rabbitohs and Warriors. Not many foresaw that happening. Its a fine line in rugby league between success and failure. But you'd have to think the Raiders have had more than their fair share of misfortune this season. They have so much strike over the park but their defence lets them down at crucial times. If they can work on that and learn how to finish off games it should help to take the impact of bad refereeing decisions out of the equation. Surely they will have learnt something from these close losses. Its this sort of season that tests out a team's character and I can see by the looks on the players faces that losing still hurts so at least they haven't thrown in the towel.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
I think next year may finally see the Raiders turn it around Geoff. Not going to make any predictions this far out but I'm seeing a possible top four spot.
thomas c
Guest
The forward pass rule is absurd. It should simply be: is the ball caught behind the point of release? The refs just aren't getting it right and "floating forward" makes things subjective and ambiguous.
thomas c
Guest
terrible defense. and the refs screwed up majorly in the last few minutes in terms of the missed forward pass. I'd like Peachy to be punished for slapping (i think) Sezer while he was playing the ball. I don't think the coach would be happy with a win with a trifecta of ugly, dirty and lucky.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Paulo, Boyd and Austin should never wear green again after today's performance. I'd rather see Guler, Murchie and Knight given a crack before Boyd and Paulo. There is a more of a problem with the outside backs. Given all the injuries Austin is about all we have left.
Steve
Roar Rookie
The Raiders vs Chocolate Soldiers Game made my mind up on a few things: * The season is over for the Raiders and Penrith * All the criticism the referees get, is justly deserved * The NRL is a dying sport due to gross mismanagement on many levels * If you have kids, Rugby League would be the last sport you would want them to play
Swannies
Guest
A great finish by the Panthers and hopefully they can do some damage in the finals. Canberra tried their best today but no disgrace going down to Penrith. Hopefully they can win one more game and see Boyd and Austin off in style.
Muzz
Guest
That'll do me! Ripped off again. Who was the referee?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
At least they have been in the majority of games they've played this year. I can only think of three where they have been ordinary and been overwhelmed - Manly at Brookie, Souths at Gosford and the Storm in Melbourne. The Raiders have a completely new left hand edge with Austin and Abbey. Missing Wighton, Crokers and Oldfield is not easy to cover. Paulo, Boyd and Austin have been liabilities in defence and they won't be there next year. Lets hope the two Poms they've recruited contribute. I still think they need another half, back and prop as cover for who they have let go.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Just watched the highlights again - forward pass from Maloney leads to a try to Mansour in the 72nd minute; accidental hit by Rapana on Mansour gives the Panthers prime field position with 3 minutes to go; Havilli obstructed and Maloney strolls through for a try to put icing on the cake. That'll do me. The Raiders season from hell knows no end.
sham
Guest
I hope you are correct re next year. With better defence they could beat anyone
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Some blokes are trying their guts out - Cotric, Rapana, BJ, Whitehead, Tapine, Papalii, Lui, Bateman - and then you have bludgers like Paulo, Austin and Boyd who are just going through the motions. Sometimes I wish some of these blokes would just pi$$ off if their heart is no longer in it. Disappointed for the rest of the team who are still having a crack. Must be incredibly gutting to keep losing these close games. I suspect the Raiders might go allright next season if they can find a bit of depth for who they have lost and work on how to close out tight games. They aren't losing due to lack of effort. .
Tom
Guest
Nailed it
Tony
Guest
Week in week out...you just dont like the raiders Adam
Jon
Roar Rookie
I think this game perfectly encapsulates the Raiders 2018 season.
sham
Guest
As a Raider 's fan that was very hard to watch. I never thought they would win. How can a side have such terrible defence that never improves? They are missing some players but if they don't improve their defence next year they may as well give up. The club has to decide what it stands for. It seems to stand for excuses and mediocrity. Fans don't have much to hope for. As for Penrith. Maloney was very poor in defence. Overall they were pathetic as well just less pathetic.
Emcie
Roar Guru
The defender only has a duty of care if attempting a tackle