The Canberra Raiders are through to the club’s first grand final in 25 years after a 16-10 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night.
In a game which was never a brilliant idea of what either team could do offensively, it was the Raiders attack which won them the day as they held on grimly during a second half where they had very little of the footy.
In fact, after what could be described as a fairly even first half between the sides in a tense preliminary final, the Rabbitohs ended with 55 per cent of possession, but just couldn’t find a way to put points on the board soon enough.
The Raiders seemed to have the better of the early running in the game, and made that count when they were able to put first points on the board through Jarrod Croker out wide in the 14th minute of the contest.
That would be all the first half wrote for the Raiders though, with the Rabbitohs managing to stop bombing efforts close to the line for long enough to get one of their own through Dane Gagai.
The teams would enter the halftime break locked up at six points a piece after a physical, fast-paced first half.
Jack Wighton scored the first try of the second half in what was a superb game for the Raiders half, however, that was just about where the fun ended for Canberra.
From there, for the next 20 or more minutes, they were glued to their own line, defending set after set after set. The Rabbitohs, no matter what they tried though, couldn’t find a way to break them, with Damien Cook well and truly off his game and the forwards not penetrating the line nearly enough.
With that being the case, the tide finally began to turn, although it looked like the Raiders were going to be right up against it when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sin-binned with 10:28 remaining in the game.
Instead, the Raiders rallied again, getting their defence to stand up one last time.
It was a Josh Papalii try up the middle which sent the crowds into a frenzy just five minutes from fulltime, and despite a late try to Campbell Graham, the lead was too much for the Bunnies to overcome, who have their season ended on preliminary final weekend for the second season in a row after a fascinating 80 minutes of rugby league.
Canberra Raiders 16
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10
More to come.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Good comments PS and Go Bunnies Always. My comments - If Campbell Graham was deemed to be "tackled" when he passed the ball for AJ to score in the 6th minute (ruled No Try), then for the life of me I can't understand why Corey Allen with elbow and ball touching the in-goal for a split moment (just like Graham's) ) wasn't called as grounded in goal. That was not a try. You cant have it both ways, but it seems the refs thought they can! Also from a few angles you can see Tatola just over the try line - I reckon the ball just "kissed" the chalk. Benefit of the doubt, but I think it was a harsh call too. Unfortunately for Canberra they wont have those calls against the roosters, the NRL, Nick and the officials have probably already engraved the roosters' names on the trophy. Regardless Good Luck Canberra.
Brett
Guest
North Sydney,Belmore and Lidcome were free mate,the other venue maybe not up to NRL standards smart ass.All im saying is neutral ground for major semis .Outside anytime bring your keyboard with you.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
It’s certainly isn’t my wish, but I can’t see him not getting charged. Can only hope he beats it at the judiciary.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Fair points PS. Walker being stripped over the line and that very fortuitous 'kick' by Wighton was indicative of the way the ball bounced last night. A great year for your boys though mate! (.....two words for you big fella....Go Dogs!!) ;)
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
I’m a fan of anyone beating the storm of roosters. ...you're certainly not alone there GOAT!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
figures crossed for Papalii... fingers crossed... It must have been the tears in my eyes while I was typing. :laughing:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well said Papi. And all your points are fair. Luck just didn't go the Rabbitohs way last night. There was very little in that game. Also agree re Sutton. To play his whole career for South's, be part of that GF win and make a stunning transition to the forwards , just sensational. I was cheering for the Raiders last night but I thought if Souths made it, Sutton would deserve to go out on a high note. They did you proud mate , a very honorable defeat.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
# Consistency is Dead in the NRL # Souths denied 3 Tries in 2 Games from Professional Fouls!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Seriously. To miss a GF for that would be a miscarriage of justice.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
BTW Papi... We are even now. See, told you I knew your tips :thumbup:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
And didn’t take the 2! Regarding Leilua, I suspect (though could be wrong) that he wasn’t penalised coz the ref thought he didn’t hear the call above crowd noise. I personally didn’t have a huge issue with that, poor refs have been told to pocket their whistles.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
If it happens in round 1, no one is upset about him possibly missing a game. You shouldn't bring the occasion of a GF into it. I'm not convinced either way really
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
They played hard but also didn't offer much. Raiders win didn't come down to luck
adam smith
Guest
Not a Raiders fan (at all), but, big congrats to Raiders players & supporters! Good to see a "perennial" underdog make the final. And, even though not a fan, so happy for Jarrod Coker. A true great, who has unfortunately played in a 'weak" Canberra era. Just hope his luck isn't so great to beat my Storm (although, I'd be reluctantly happy for Jarrod, just like I was for Menzies).
RoryStorm
Guest
I too questioned Hodgson not going for an HIA and the more obvious one, Leilua not being penalised when told to play on but ignoring the ref and playing the ball instead. Hello, was I missing something? Yes there were a couple of others that were there but they are well listed elsewhere on here. Congratulations all the Raider's supporters, it's been a long wait for your team to play another GF. If my team don't make the GF I'll have to be like most neutral supporters and hope for a Raiders win. Papalii should be fine IMO. I think it was just a good hard tackle that would keep most players from standing up straight away.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I'm on tomorrow mate.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
The Rabbitohs season came down to: 1. A bad call when Sezer fell off the tackle on Graham and AJ should have scored. Had Graham passed before the defensive line to Johnston. 2. Cody Walker bombing a try by cutting back in-field instead cutting to his left with the line open. 3. Corey Allan gifting a try to the Raiders losing the ball in-goal. 4. Tatola who SHOULD have scored under the posts but for a miraculous defensive effort from the Raiders. 5. A miraculous bit of luck with Wighton getting his foot to the ball and the timing that Souths were a man short in the defensive line with Reynolds injured. 6. With 20 mins to go after Soliola strips the ball off Cook on the Raiders 10 metre line he knocks the ball on playing the ball... NOT called! 7. Doueihi's mistake in the play the ball which lead to Papalii "the tank" to run over half the fatigued Bunnies side. 3 things I question... 1. Josh Hodgson escaping a HIA early in the game despite clearly staggering and appearing concussed. Then during the next 10 mins he stripped a ball to win possession and then in that set sets up the Raiders first try with a kick. 2. Joey Leilua playing the ball after the ref called "Play on!" Last week that was penalised. This week it's play on. 3. The Raiders magically having injuries that delayed goal line drop kick restarts within the last 20 mins. Congrats on a great career in the cardinal and myrtle to John Sutton. Thanks for the memories also for George Burgess and Kyle Turner. The Raiders were the better team on the night and the better team for most of the season. For everyone who are cheering for the Raiders next week figures crossed for Papalii at the judiciary and for a Storm win tomorrow. Gutted our season is over but very, very proud of their effort tonight and in finishing 3rd this year. The Bunnies 22nd premiership will have to wait until 2020. Go the Raiders for 2019!
Rhino
Guest
Congratulations to the Raiders. Souths certainly had there chances, but wasted it with very poor execution. Couple of decisions which I thought made some difference to the game: 1. Do not understand how Allen didn’t ground that ball, even if not intentional, see that as a dropout all the time. 2. When you clearly hear the ref call play on to Leilua and he plays the ball. Should have been a penalty. 3 . The most crucial of all. How Hodgson didn’t go for HIA. Clearly dazed. 2 minutes later rakes the ball from Lowe and then tackles Allen to loose ball, which they score off. All this for a player that should have been off the field for assessment. Good luck to Canberra next week. You took your opportunities. Well done.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Maybe buy him a pair of spectacles too, the Rabbitohs played hard tonight, just had bad luck on both ends of the field. Well done Raiders and wish you win the GF!
Roar GOAT
Roar Rookie
I’m a fan of anyone beating the storm of roosters. The 10% is from my missus who doesn’t really give a &$$@.