The Canberra Raiders have defeated the Brisbane Broncos 26-22 at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon breaking a six-year hoodoo against the opposition.
An excellent performance from Joey Leilua and John Bateman has helped Canberra beat a resilient Brisbane side for the first time since 2013 in front of 17,193 fans.
The Raiders were the first on the scoreboard six minutes in after a flick pass from co-captain Jarrod Croker found Nick Cotric who leapt over the try line to score.
The Broncos equalised thirteen minutes later with halfback Kodi Nikorima spotting a gap on the try line and running through.
A counter-attack from the Raiders right side eventually made its way to the left, with Joey Leilua busting through two tackles to capitalise on put the home side back in front.
Three minutes later John Bateman broke through straight off a scrum feed and got the ball away to Leilua who crossed for his second and the Green Machine’s third.
Seven minutes into the second half Broncos reduced the deficit after David Fifita found space on the right side and ran through the Raiders defence to score.
A grubber kick from Anthony Milford was collected by Broncos winger Corey Oates who planted the ball down to put the away side in front for the first time this match.
A Wighton 40/20 four minutes later sparked life back into the Green Machine, which then saw John Bateman pick the ball up from dummy half and barge over to restore the Raiders lead and score his first for the club.
Five minutes later a Jack Wighton grubber kick ricocheted off his own head and found its way to Ryan Sutton who crossed over for his first try in the lime green jersey.
With two minutes remaining, the Broncos were able to find a gap on the left side of the field as Jack Bird scored, however, it wasn’t enough as Canberra finished the match victorious.
Canberra Raiders 26 (Tries: 2 Leilua, Cotric, Bateman, Sutton. Goals: Croker 3/5) def. Brisbane Broncos 22 (Tries: Nikorima, Fifita, Oates, Bird. Goals: Isaako 3/4)
