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?
(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.
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.
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.
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.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Russell Crowe played a Gladiator right? Tick. He is a Hollywood celebrity? Tick. Using such language is colourful and creative and very different to a snide remark that implies the Roosters are rorting the salary cap.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Fair call! Yes that didn't come into the equation for a lot of people, myself included. The less I hear about bumbling officialdom the more I enjoy the game.
Taree Raider
Guest
Raiders since 87. You are entitled to a lifetime pass onto the Raiders Express or is it Viking Longboat. You make me laugh (at myself mainly). I love your passion. In Ricky I trust at the moment too. How good will we go with George Williams kicking tactically next year. Are we heading into a dynasty?
mushi
Roar Guru
By that logic all the writers need to play in the game they're discussing
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
No disputing that Bonza, as I said I have a soft spot for the Raiders and it’s a great story. People supported the Raiders for all the reasons you mentioned – 25 years, Ricky, a team full of nice players, underdogs etc. I have no issue with all that and all the things you mentioned are what I love about rugby league and why I want the Raiders to win the grand final. What I have an issue with is the article asserting that MOST people were behind the Raiders because of the Sam Burgess Greenburg thing, as argued in the article. That simply isn’t true. I haven’t come across a single post on the Roar saying “I hope the Raiders win because Sam Burgess and Greenburg”. :thumbup:
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Con from what I heard many neutral fans were hoping the Raiders would get up, myself included. Plenty of reasons why - long time since 94, the team is easy to like, great theme song...you name it. Off the top of my head, Mark Geyer and Wendell Sailor from MMM, my brother, my uncle, 6 of my mates, my cousin and my wife and my dog were all cheering the Raiders.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"There have been times when I have put my Raiders jersey in the bin..." ....I hear you RS87. I actually threw my Raiders jersey (given to me as a gift) in the bin and never retrieved it....just let it go to landfill! Do I regret it? No, I follow the Bulldogs! ;)
Bill
Guest
Where’s your article on the game, Con? Or is it just easier to bait and criticise others?
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I think you completely misinterpreted my criticism and meaning, but not to worry. I'm not offended at all that my team got beaten and have in fact expressed praise and good wishes to the Raiders multiple times. Raiders were the better side and deserved to win. What "offends" me is when "journalists" make snide comments about Hollywood Gladiators and the like, in the same way it would be offensive for a journalist to refer to the "salary sombrero" when talking about the Roosters. "Journalists" need to be better than that. Also, the cesspit that is Twitter is the last place I would be looking for fan views or feedback. Anyway, thanks for the kind wishes. Should be an awesome game tonight. All the best mate.
Greg
Roar Pro
After all its the fans who did the astute recruiting, its the fans who busted their gut during the preseason and its the fans who built the team's resolute defense. Don't get me wrong, the fans should absolutely revel in the Raiders success!!! But, do they really deserve the congratulations? And, just because the Raiders have had limited success? They're hardly the only team that has had some lean years.
Ron Norton
Guest
Hear! Hear! Raiders since 87. Me too mate.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Seeing as you have addressed me personally, I will respond Con. Firstly, the Raiders are something of a fairy tale. If you cannot see that in your Bunnies bubble that is cool but the rather ridiculous goings on between Burgess and Greenberg during the week annoyed the heck of a mighty lot of people and if social media is anything to go by this morning, a significant percentage of neutrals are chuffed for the Raiders and pleased to see Souths bundled out. You allusion to that belief being merely my narrow view and not reflective of a majority of others is interesting. Wrong in my view, but interesting. I write my Friday night piece as the game unfolds, in real time and look for angle as the events play out. Monitoring social media throughout the day and seeing the groundswell of support for the Raiders led me to take that line. You may be disappointed with the result, any fan would be, however having and expressing an opinion and sparking debate and discussion is par for the course in journalism. If if offends because your team got done, well, so be it. Have a great day mate and enjoy the second preliminary final tonight.
TAZZ
Roar Rookie
I would have to agree with Con here, I’m sure the Rabbitohs fam weren’t that happy with the result, nor any of the other teams fans, just raiders fans. Plus as a Storm fan I not sure that I’m that happy that the Green machine is in the final as they have bested is not once but twice
Raiders Since 87
Roar Rookie
Well, what can I say, so happy today. 25 years man, unreal There have been times when I have put my Raiders jersey in the bin out of pure frustration with the team performance and on field decisions that had been made, only to get it out before the bin man came, washed it and put it back on. When you have green blood you just can't help it. In Stick We Trust
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Reading this made me recall why I never read articles by Stuart Thomas. Stuart, you have a tendency in all your articles to make sweeping statements and gross generalisations that you claim to be reflective of public opinion, but that in fact represent your own narrow views, not those of the public. Your writing reminds me a lot of Danny Weidler. All froth and no beer. You could easily find a home at the Daily Terrograph or Courier Mail. On a more positive note, congratulations to all the Raiders fans out there - Geoff, Taree Raider, Tony and all. You have a strong, gutsy and resilient team and I hope the Green Machine go all the way and win the Premiership. I had the provelidge and fond memory of going to the superb 1989 grand final with my best mate at school when I was 15 years old. He was (is) a Rooster supporter and I of course a Rabbitoh, and we went to the game undecided as to which team to support. We took our seats behind the goal post, and as the crowd built we were soon surrounded a horde or fans dressed in lime green. Their passion and love of their team was infectious and made our decision as to whom to support an easy one. Glenn and I cheered on the Raiders for the remainder of that wonderful game, and ever since I have had a soft spot for the Raiders. So: go the Raiders and I hope you raise another Premiership next week!
Tony
Guest
Too true Taree...I hold the same view and have always wanted them to put in a never give up performance. This year has seen many of those. Even my mates question my loyalty for years to the Green Machine and now they are one step closer to the chocolates.
Taree Raider
Guest
It's the fans who should be congratulated on the Raiders success. For 25 long years I have been hoping that the Raiders one day come good. Come good they have. I have always been happy if they tried their best & were competitive. I longed for a team that actually won more games in a season than they lost. Well I am on the Raider 'Light Rail' Express. All stations to the Olympic Stadium. How many Storm or Roosters fans will there be in 2045, (25 years time) when they next make it to the big dance? If your a long suffering Raiders fan your image is in the dictionary under loyalty.