The Canberra Raiders have set up a mouth-watering grand final rematch against the Sydney Roosters last week, after overcoming a slow start to cruise past Cronulla in their elimination final this evening.
Despite scoring the first try of the game through Joseph Tapine, they were uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball and fell behind following tries to Ronaldo Mulitalo and Blayke Brailey.
The two Sharks tries didn’t tell the full story of their utter dominance in the first half. They had a commanding share of possession and territory, with Canberra only tackled seven times in the opposition half in the opening 40 minutes.
It took a length-of-the-field intercept try from George Williams on the stroke of half time for the Raiders to get back in the match, the English halfback perfectly reading a Wade Graham pass before managing to out-pace Scott Sorensen to cross out wide.
That try cut the Sharks’ lead back to just four points at the break, a margin which didn’t at all indicate how much they’d enjoyed the better of the play.
The second half was a different story, however, with a Jack Wighton double, Williams’ second and another to Elliott Whitehead seeing them move ahead 32-14, before a late consolation try to Sione Katoa made it 32-20.
Wighton’s first, in addition to turning the match well into Canberra’s favour, was controversial. The five-eighth scampered over after taking a quick tap from a penalty, but Graham had called for a captain’s challenge before Wighton put boot to ball.
However, referee Grant Atkins denied the challenge, and while Cronulla’s effort didn’t lack, they never looked like replicating their first half dominance. Once Wighton crossed again soon after, and then later set up Williams’ second try, the game was all but over.
Canberra will now play the Roosters in a rematch of the last year’s decider, while the Sharks are done and dusted for 2020.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
The Raiders were never going to win that game IMO. The call , non call made no difference. I think changing the call was wrong but the better team won.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Raiders supporters aren't whinging as much because the Raiders have learned how to close out games - unlike the Sharks.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Think we may have moved on from that one. And the Wighton try last night didn"t decide the game. The Sharks were over powered in the second half.
Short Memory
Guest
They were just trying to emulate Jarrod Croker who apparently can't play the ball without first diving and complaining to the ref.
JVGO
Guest
But what do you reckon about the six again in last years GF Jimmy??? Better more enterprising team won right???
Harry
Guest
I agree that Bateman should’ve been binned but the decision not to was consistent with a decision a week or two ago not to bin a player who’d committed a professional foul near his own goal-line because in the ref’s opinion the attacking player wasn’t going to score a try. I don’t agree with it but if that’s the NRL’s interpretation now I can live with it.
Harry
Guest
People seem to have forgotten about it because the Raiders won but in their game against the Roosters at the SCG this year they spent a lot of time getting hammered by the defence, pinned on their own line, barely working it up to their 30m line before having to kick - but they weathered the storm, took their chances, and won. It’s not the best way to win a game but they can do it.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yep, give it to them Chooks, we love that :laughing: it will be "pay back time"
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Agree - worst game I've seen from Elliot since I can remember
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
They did win the game and played a much better second half - they have time for an attitude adjustment required to push the Roosters next week
Bob backs
Guest
Hudson young got punched in the face.. no penalty, no sin bid. Elliot whitehead swinging arm to the head.. no penalty, no sin bin and a knock on called. Both offending players get fines after the game. But yeah the sharks are the victim to the terrible refereeing hahahahaha
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Don't often agree with Braith Anasta but his assessment was pretty good that the Raiders never panicked and look pretty composed despite being under the pump in the first half. They"ll have to start a lot better next week if they want to beat the Roosters
Ian_
Roar Rookie
The ref 2 weeks ago was Chris Sutton, not Grant Atkins. So that blows your second paragraph out of the water. But regardless, I thought there were some curious decisions. The Wighton quick tap would have been pulled up about 99% of the time over the last few seasons. And I'm amazed Bateman didn't get binned.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I also thought Elliot Whitehead had his worst game ever since he's been a Raider. I suppose after being so good and consistent for so long he was due an off day.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Geez mate , how can you not be a paid up members of #Refsfault.? Guys like you give NRL fans a bad name.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree on CNK, he had a blinder. Twice he had two hitups in a set off their own line.. Just one thing about the Raiders worried me. Getting out if their own end they were very one dimensional. One pass off the ruck every time. Made it easy for the SHARKIES. If they play the Roosters or Storm that way , they will be murdered. Watch Parra for the way to play the Storm. Long pass from nine, pass again. Quick shift if you win the ruck. I thought that, plus a poor kicking game played into the Sharks hands. Still they always looked like they would finish stronger. Hope you get to the Storm and give them a pasting.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Hahaha don't mention the war, I did it once but think I got away with it. Refs did a good job, that's all I was trying to say. Maybe it came out wrong?? A lot of people try and pin losses on different decisions, I'm not one of those people. Interesting point about Wade, he has certainly been a bit off his game this season. We need a calm head as captain out there and he can also run a bit hot. Who else though? Chad or Johnson are the obvious duo but will it affect their game also? Maybe SJ has been on because he no longer has the captaincy as well. So glad I am not having to make these decisions. 2-3 more seasons with this squad, a bit more experience and a bit more defensive work and this team will be formidable (if they can all stay together of course). The future is bright in the Shire and hopefully it won't be another 50 years before we lift the trophy again. I just don't think I would still be around to see it :silly: Up Up
steveng
Roar Rookie
The Sharks were absolutely on fire in the first 30min and it was a real shame that they didn’t go on with it. There was a time there where it looked like its going to be a runaway train and the Sharks will win by many. The Raiders on the other hand have a big problem, they have probably displayed the worst performance I've seen from any top 8 side for many years, no enthusiasm they were continually bunched up and relied (as it panned out) on individuals to get them out of trouble. If the Raiders continue playing like this? Then I don’t give them much of a chance of beating the Chooks next week as they look at least a 25-30% worst side than in 2019 and the GF last year.
JVGO
Guest
Nice one DB. We was robbed....but don't want to talk about the refs. You should have been a ref yourself....would have fit right in. But I'm pretty happy with Sharks year. Good emerging youth who learned a lot and the experienced guys like Chad, Dugs, Fifita, and Johnson stepped up into leadership roles and played that way. I think Wade struggled with the captaincy and I'd think about giving it to Johnson or Chad next year. Bit worried about Kennedy at the back....has some skills.....but needs to get stronger and way more committed. We did pretty good overall when we were expected to finish where the Broncos did by a lot of pundits. Morris in particular can be pretty proud of what he achieved the last two years in difficult circumstances. He has another year to really build something.
JVGO
Guest
As long as the favourites win controversy is reduced. Narrative management by the NRL. We all know this is the deal and has been for years. At least the Broncos were allowed to get the spoon. The management of six agains gives refs even more control of the flow of the game and at times is extremely dubious, or at least absolutely opaque. Six again has resulted in a super dynamic game but some sort of accountability or scrutiny is necessary.