Eels not quite slippery enough for the Raiders

v BYE

The Canberra Raiders charge for a top 4 spot has all but been secured after a 28-18 come from behind victory over the Parramatta Eels in front of just under 19,000 fans at GIO Stadium

The first half was not a good one for the Green Machine with some Semi Radradra dominance down the left side but it was Michael Jennings who opened the scoring when Blake Austin was unable to clean up a Jeff Robson kick and Parra opened up a surprise 6-0 lead. Five minutes later the flying Fijian Semi Radradra scored after some poor defence from the Raiders.

Brenko Lee looked to cross for his first of the afternoon but the bunker ruled that as the only frame with the ball grounded showed Lee's foot on the sideline and based on that evidence SRO Luke Patten overruled the live decision. But worse for the Raiders after the no try was that the Eels went down the short side in attack and caught both Rapana and Leilua out again and Bevan French scored.

The Raiders finally got on the board five minutes later and it was Brenko Lee again who crossed and this time got the approval of the bunker to get the Raiders on the board. Right before halftime the Eels slotted a penalty goal to take an 18-4 lead at Half Time.

The second half was a different story for the Raiders with the green machine seemingly flicking the switch and they were hot in the second half running in five unanswered tries in the second half to get the comeback victory.

The first four of the Raiders came in a 20 minute period with Jarrod Croker getting the first off a great ball from Joseph Leilua before the Raiders captain set up Brenko Lee for two of his next three tries catching Vai Toutai out of position. Lee summed up the afternoon for the Eels defence when he slotted through easily to get his fourth.

Ten minutes from the end the Raiders sealed the victory when Iosia Soliola scored under the posts to cap off a great comeback from the green machine.

Next weekend the Raiders will look to move to cloud nine as a trip to Brookvale Oval is their next assignment against Manly, whilst it will be an emotional night for the Eels next week as they farewell Pirtek Stadium against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Monday night footy.