NRL round 26: Raiders win important one over Broncos
The Canberra Raiders were able to come away with an important victory over the Brisbane Broncos on the road at Suncorp Stadium over the weekend.
The Raiders clinched a play-off spot while bumping the Broncos from contention with an exciting road victory. The Raiders were the better of the two sides in the first half taking an eight-point lead into the break. After the half the Broncos were able to put together some offence. However the Raiders held the home side off on their way to an 18-16 victory.
Recap
The match started out slow as both teams set the stage for what would be a defensive battle. The Raiders were the first to get on the board in the 18th minute as Daniel Vidot managed his way over the try-line and Jarod Croker kicked the conversion to give the away team a 6-0 lead.
The Canberra club kept the pressure on and Josh Dugan was able to dart his way over the whitewash in the 22nd minute. Croker followed up with his second conversion of the match and the Raiders took a 12-0 lead.
The Broncos put up four points before the end of the half as Andrew McCullough pushed his way to a try in the 27th minute, allowing the Raiders to take a 12-4 lead into the break.
The second stanza started off slow and did not see any scoring until Vidot broke over the line in the 59th minute for his second try of the game. Croker continued his fine day from the tee knocking down the conversion making it an 18-4 game.
However, the Broncos were not prepared to go quietly as Jharal Yow Yeh forced his way to a try in the 68th minute and Corey Parker kicked the conversion to bring the home side within eight.
The Broncos kept the pressure on and only four minutes later Matt Gillett was able to get over the whitewash, Parker hit his second conversion and the Brisbane club was within two.
Nevertheless, that was all the home team could muster as they were forced to watch the clock wind down on their season.
Analysis
The Raiders played a very impressive second half of the season and seemed unbeatable in the final four round of the year. The Canberra side’s strong play has earned them seventh spot and a first round match-up with the Penrith Panthers.
Conversely the Broncos fell apart at the end of the year and dropping like a rock to finish in 10th position.
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