NRL Final week one: Raiders surprise Panthers
The Canberra Raiders managed to come away with a surprising win over the Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium over the weekend.
The Raiders shocked the Panthers with an upset on the road in week one of the National Rugby League Finals. The two sides fought hard the whole way with very little to separate them at full time. The Raiders were only able to take a small six-point lead into half-time. After the break the Canberra side added to their lead early and did just enough to hold on late, earning a 24-22 victory.
Recap
The Raiders were able to get on the board first with a try from Terry Campese in the fifth minute. Jarod Croker kicked home the extra points to give the visitors an early 6-0 lead.
However, the Panthers wasted little time evening the match back up, as Michael Gordon forced his way over the line and kicked the conversion, just four minute later.
Nevertheless, the guests looked strong early as Dane Tilse hammered his way across the whitewash in the 16th minute and Croker hit his second conversion of the night to give his side back the lead at 12-6.
Gordon was the offensive catalyst for the Panthers early, scoring his second try and conversion of the match in the 22nd minute to notch the game up for a second time.
The Raiders were able to strike in the 34th minute, courtesy of a try from Bronson Harrison, allowing his side to take an 18-12 lead into half-time.
After the break the Raiders struck quickly with a try from Reece Robinson in the 43rd minute. Croker continued his impressive day from the tee hitting his fourth conversion, extending the lead to 24-12.
The Panthers would not go away easily as Sandor Earl cruised over the whitewash in the 60th and 67th minutes respectively. However, Gordon was only able to tack on one conversion and the Panthers were left to watch the clock tick down on a 24-22 Raiders win.
Analysis
The win makes the Raiders the third highest ranked ladder club to win in week one, moving them into a week two match-up with the Wests Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Panthers loss makes them the highest ranked loser in the first round and puts them into a second round game against the Sydney Roosters. The Panthers, who finished the year in second place, will need to defeat the Roosters to have any chance at the Grand Final.
Tags: