Deja vu drama as Dragons denied chance to take Raiders to golden point by last-second call

Canberra have kept themselves in the race for the NRL finals, withstanding a hat-trick from Junior Amone and requiring some late help from the ref to win 24-22 at GIO Stadium.

St George Illawarra were left fuming, however, after a late hold down from Canberra allowed time to elapse when the lead was just two points and the Dragons would have been able to kick for goal.

Corey Harawira-Naera clearly laid on Mathew Feagai as he sought to play the ball before the referee blew. It was as clear a set restart as they come, and almost certainly a professional foul that would have seen Harawira-Naera sent to the bin and Zac Lomax given a shot at the posts from nearly directly in front.

Amazingly, the same thing happened the last time these two met, with Canberra screaming for a penalty as Ben Hunt laid in the ruck.

“It’s almost identical,” said commentator Brenton Speed. “Round 16 all over again in reverse. The Dragons are thinking ‘where is our penalty?’ that the Raiders did not get in Wollongong, but Adam Gee says that is full time.”

(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The Raiders were missing their coach Ricky Stuart, banned after his outburst at the press conference after last week’s loss to Penrith, but were able to get the job done, albeit unconvincingly.

This was not a vintage performance from either side, but the two points are banked and Canberra will move on.

“We’re still fighting for finals, we’re still punching away,” said Brett White, sitting in for the banned Stuart.

“The week is done, Sticky will be back in on Wednesday, and it’s all finished as far as we’re concerned. He’s done his time and what Ricky’s done for this club … what he’s done for the community, that’s who he is.”

Elliott Whitehead might have a sweat on this week after a first half incident that saw him put on report for an alleged hip drop on Blake Lawrie, while Jack Wighton appear to be suffering with a knee problem late on.

The Dragons are now mathematically out of finals contention but can be proud of the manner in which they fought back from seemingly dead and buried to have a chance. Their performance, especially that of Amone, was worth more than they got.

“It’s been a tough year for Junior,” said Anthony Griffin. “First year as a full-time starting five-eighth … in our most important game of the year I thought he really stood up which is great,

“(Against) good sides playing away from home, we just gave them points too easily at different times and it was too hard to reel back. But that’s not to question the character we showed all day.”

Canberra were given a gift to start the game after a Jack Bird yardage error, and capitalised with Zac Woolford kicking for Hudson Young to score.

Despite the early try for the Raiders, it was St George Illawarra who were stronger early on. They struck back smartly through Amone’s dart at the line and went in front in the 20^th minute as the five eighth competed hardest for a ball on the deck close to the line.

The momentum was only going one way, but Albert Hopoate was able to shift it almost single-handedly.

The Dragons had been pressing at the line, but the winger managed to break through and charge up the wing, from which his side forced a set restart and, once in position, Xavier Savage showed deft hands to get Jordan Rapana over.

Then, with time running out in the half, Ryan Sutton produced a pure effort play to charge down Hunt’s kick, chase the ball and score a richly deserved try.

The second half started horrifically for the Dragons. The kick off went out on the full, and within 90 seconds, Savage had a second try assist after a smart kick for Albert Hopoate.

As happens so frequently, Hunt sparked St George Illawarra into life. He punted a 20/40 – having kicked a 40/20 in the first half – to get them out of their end, and once in position, Amone was able to complete his hat trick to move the deficit back to six points.

The Raiders then turned down the chance to slot a simple field goal that would have required the Dragons to score twice, and were given a very shaky finish after Tautau Moga lept to touch down at the corner. Lomax missed the opportunity to level the scores from the sideline.

The Dragons managed to get themselves into position thanks to a huge Feagai break – but he was judged to have knocked on as Harawaera-Naera held him in the last second. The ref blew full-time and the Dragons did not have a challenge.