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Ricky Stuart’s Raiders advance to the big dance - and deservedly so

27th September, 2019
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27th September, 2019
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All in all, around 99.5 per cent percent of the nation was hoping it would end this way.

The nation’s capital was in a state of utter ecstasy anticipating a lime green triumph. Neutral fans held their breath in hope that the Canberra Raiders would find their way to the grand final for the first time in 25 years.

It was the favoured way and the fairy tale story of the weekend as the Raiders qualified with a win against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

Few wanted to see a team backed by a Hollywood Gladiator; one burdened with the weight of perceived NRL hypocrisy over the midweek decision surrounding Sam Burgess’ insolence advance to the final match of the season.

After Todd Greenberg pandered to Burgess during the week and suspended a A$10,000 fine administered after his disrespectful comments in regards to the NRL judiciary, fans of the game climbed aboard the Raiders’ bandwagon – i.e. those who weren’t riding it already.

The ‘Kangaroo Court’ saga, a subsequent and convenient coffee and the absurdity of the entire situation, created nothing but distrust in the fans of any club other than the Bunnies.

If there was to be any sense of natural justice at all, the Raiders would surely put their best foot forward and take their spot in the 2019 grand final.

And boy, did they what?

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Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Souths started poorly and an early dropped ball from Burgess gave the Raiders their first chance of the night. The try did not come immediately, yet an in-goal knock on in the 15th minute saw Jarrod Croker score the opening four-pointer.

The local fans went bananas.

An 18th-minute penalty goal opportunity from close range gave the home side the chance to extend the lead, yet Croker was off target. Despite Englishman Josh Hodgson causing South Sydney all sorts of difficulties through the centre of the ruck, the Bunnies were to bounce back soon after.

Dane Gagai crossed in the 28th minute and Adam Reynolds converted his try soon after to send the teams to the sheds at the half time break locked at 6-6.

Jack Wighton encapsulated his enigmatic self early in the second half with an astonishing try after 45 minutes, when the Canberra number six dropped, kneed and kicked the ball ahead, before scoring in the corner.

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It is too hard to explain. Check out the highlights on theroar.com to comprehend the astonishing nature of his effort.

Josh Papalii produced a massive hit on Adam Doueihi moments later; was subsequently reported and Sam Burgess attempted to do the same on his opposition soon after, before leaving the field with an arm injury incurred in the process.

After 15 minutes of the second half, the grind had well and truly set in and with the Raiders ahead by 10-6. The Bunnies desperately needed to bring Damien Cook into the game. The New South Wales hooker was incredibly quiet on a night when his team desperately needed him.

When Sia Soliola stripped the Rabbitohs rake as the Bunnies attacked the Raiders line with 20 minutes remaining, Cook’s frustrations grew.

Still the Raiders struggled to put the visitors to the sword. Burgess returned to the field and with 15 minutes on the clock and a grand final position on the line, South Sydney dug as deeply as they had done all season.

The Bunnies sent wave after wave towards the Raiders’ line as the clock became an issue for the Sydney-siders.

When Adam Reynolds took an intercept, ran 60 metres and drew the sin binning of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the 70th minute, the Rabbitohs appeared to be in the box seat and headed for another NRL decider.

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Ricky’s men steeled, and when Adam Doueihi mucked up a play the ball to present the Raiders with the chance to seal the deal in the 75th minute, Josh Papalii raised his hand, stormed through the middle of the ruck and scored under the posts.

Even with 12 men the Raiders were the better side. Cook was nowhere to be seen for most of the night and was one of the men Papalii burst through to score his match winning try.

Canberra Raiders

Jarrod Croker of the Raiders. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The Rabbitohs were to narrow the 16-6 score line established after Croker’s successful conversion of Papalii’s try with a late four pointer to Campbell Graham, yet the most romantic story of the 2019 NRL finals was destined to find its way to the biggest day in Australian rugby league.

Canberra were better, Souths blew some chances and Ricky Stuart’s Raiders held on with 12 men over the final ten minutes to advance to the grand final.

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