A dominant second half performance has seen the Canberra Raiders come back from a half-time deficit against the Parramatta Eels to secure their eighth win in-a-row and a top-four berth.
An unfortunate first-half by the Raiders where they looked a shadow of their recent defensive selves found the team trailing 18-4 at the break.
But a brilliant attacking revival by the Raiders’ left-side attack saw the side score 24 unanswered points to end the game 28-14.
Winger Brenko Lee was near-unstoppable, scoring a remarkable four tries down the left edge. He could have had five if not for a contentious video-referee call in the first half which deemed he had brushed the side-line whilst diving to score.
The Raiders looked woefully unprepared in the first half, missing numerous tackles which gave the Eels valuable field-position.
A rare fumble by Blake Austin under the posts gave the Eels an early-game lead as centre Michael Jennings dove on the loose ball to score.
Further tries to Semi Radradra and Bevan French put the Raiders in a precarious position heading into the second-half.
The home-side hit back in the second forty, reaffirming themselves as the game’s best attacking side.
BJ Leilua threw a deft flat-pass to Jarrod Croker in space, to score the Raider’s first of the half. A spectacular knock-back in the air by Jack Wighton to man-of-the-match Josh Papalii resulted in Sia Soliola scoring the side’s final try under the posts.
The win sees the Raiders guarantee themselves a spot in the top four ahead of games against Manly and Wests Tigers.
Post Match Coverage
Canberra Raiders 28 (Lee 4, Croker, Soliola tries; Croker 2 goals) defeated Parramatta Eels 18(Jennings, Radradra, French tries; Gordon 3 goals) at GIO Stadium. Half-time: Parramatta 18-4. Crowd: 18,825.
