​Stats lie as Raiders demolish Newcastle at home

Despite being beaten in almost every statistical category the Raiders have come out on top on the scoreboard, downing Newcastle 36-22 in front of 6085 fans at GIO Stadium.

In a bizarre game of football, Newcastle finished the match with over 50 tackles inside the 20-metre zone, but a combination of the Raiders resolute goal line defence and the Knights poor execution saw the Canberra faithful witness only the second win at home this season.

The Raiders established a match-winning lead inside 15 minutes courtesy of a Blake Austin hat-trick.

Crossing in the 2nd, 8th and 15th minutes, the Canberra five-eighth displayed tremendous support play to bring his try-scoring tally to 13 this season.

The Raiders continued their try-scoring rout when Josh Hodgson grubbered in-goal for captain Jarrod Croker to take the scoreline out to 24-0 in as many minutes.

Newcastle finally posted points ten minutes out from halftime following a nice offload from Jeremy Smith who found James McManus in the corner.

Down by 20 at halftime the Knights hopes of a comeback were squashed only three minutes after the resumption of play as Josh Papalii barged over.

Minutes later the Maroons enforcer posted his third try in three days by diving on a fantastic grubber kick from Sam Williams to take the margin out to 36-4 with half an hour remaining.

With the Raiders lacking intensity for the remainder of the game, the Knights were able to hit back through Akuila Uate (54th & 74th minute) and Kade Snowden (67^th minute), but their poor start ultimately cost them as they went down 36-22.

The Raiders were sensational in attack early on and displayed remarkable goal-line defence to prevent Newcastle from capitalising on their wealth of possession.

Halves Sam Williams and Blake Austin were particularly impressive, however Williams may face a stint on the sidelines after copping a pectoral injury late in the match.

The Knights showed glimpses of quality football with eleven players running for over 100 metres, but the defensive issues which have plagued their season continue to exist.

Next week the Raiders face Cronulla on Saturday afternoon at GIO Stadium, while the Knights will be hoping to end their horror losing run against the Titans at home on Saturday night.

Match Details

Canberra Raiders 36 Newcastle Knights 22
Venue: GIO Stadium
Crowd: 6015
Halftime Score: Canberra Raiders 24 Newcastle Knights 4

CANBERRA RAIDERS (36)
Tries: Blake Austin (3), Jarrod Croker, Josh Papalii (2)
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (6/6)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (22)
Tries: James McManus, Akuila Uate (2), Kade Snowden
Conversions: Tyrone Roberts (3/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Sam Williams
2 points - Blake Austin
1 point - David Shillington

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 18 Friday Night Football between Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights at GIO Stadium.

Canberra are 1-17 with Joseph Leilua missing from the Raiders line-up following a clause in his release from the Knights last month.

Newcastle have been boosted by the returns of Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden and Jeremy Smith. Beau Scott is out due to suspension meaning Joe Tapine will start in the second row, while Pat Vaivai starts at lock with Jeremy Smith on the bench.

Kick-off only minutes away.

With Origin now over we head into the final third of the regular season, teams have made successful runs to the finals from this point, while others have squandered their good starts to crash and burn.

Both teams will be desperate to come away with the two points if they have finals ambitions. It may be cold in the nations capital, but there's no better place to be on a Friday night.

Kurt Gidley leads the Newcastle Knights onto the field.

Canberra on the field and will kick off.

On the first tackle, the Knights shift the ball in their own 10. They look to have come out with an attacking mentality.

Roberts kicks deep and the Knights trap Wighton 10 metres out.

1: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
History repeats! The Raiders expose an overlap and break away from inside their own half.

3: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
No problem for Croker. Raiders 6-0.

4: Sam Williams bombs and the Knights come up with the ball close to halfway.

5: A penalty sees the Knights start a set 40 metres out from the Raiders line.

6: Roberts kicks for the in-goal but Croker is able to beat the Newcastle chasers resulting in a 20 metre re-start.

7: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
An offload from Paul Vaughan sees Austin race away to score again.

8: The Raiders look set for a big win if the opening minutes are any indication.

8: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
From right in front, Croker takes Canberra out to a 12-0 lead.

10: Newcastle get a penalty inside their own half.

12: The Raiders come up with the ball after Jarrod Mullen's chip bomb was batted back by Tyrone Roberts.

12: Sione Mata'utia is down after a hit from Iosia Soliola.

12: Mullen's kick goes straight to Jack Wighton.

13: Canberra get a penalty.

14: Sam Williams has grubbered in-goal and Blake Austin pounces.

14: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
The video ref awards the Try and Austin has 3 tries in 15 minutes,

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
18-0 with Croker's conversion.

17: Jeremy Smith on for Newcastle, but the damage has been done. It will take a miracle for the Knights to get out of this.

18: Jack Wighton catches Mullen's bomb with ease.

19: The Knights have a chance to attack, Jack Wighton knocks on inside his own half.

20: Rick Stone appears to have responded to Sione Mata'utia's defensive problems in recent weeks by moving James McManus to centre.

20: Newcastle get another penalty as Shannon Boyd comes on for the Raiders.

22: Dane Gagai has been ruled to go into touch after making a strong run almost resulting in a try.

22: Canberra get a penalty coming out of their own end.

23: Josh Hodgson kicks from dummy half, Jarrod Croker pounces. The video ref will check but things have gone from bad to worse for the Knights,

23: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Jarrod Croker. Kick to come.
The Raiders are keeping up with the clock.

23: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
It's 24-0 inside 24 minutes.

24: The highest scoring game in NRL history was Round 2, 2006 - 102 points scored. At the rate the Raiders are going that record may be in doubt.

26: Newcastle get a penalty. They've had plenty of chances, but they just can't keep up with the Raiders.

26: Tyrone Roberts takes on the line and almost gets to the line.

27: Jack Wighton kicks the ball dead and the Knights force a drop out.

29: Sione Mata'utia kicks for the in-goal but it ends up over the sideline.

30: The Knights replace both their props - Fa'alogo and Mataora on for Newcastle.

31: James McManus has gone over, but Jeremy Smith looked to lose the ball trying to pass.

31: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by James McManus. Kick to come.
The Knights score and is the comeback on!

32: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts unsuccessful.
The kick goes wide and the margin stays at 20.

33: Mullen looks for a 40/20 but Jordan Rapana is on the spot to clean up.

34: Danny Levi and Kurt Baptiste on for their respective sides at hooker.

36: Great defence from the Raiders cuts McManus down a metre out.

37: Mullen forces a line drop out.

37: Newcastle have dominated attacking chances but the Raiders defence has stuck firmly.

38: Tyrone Roberts kicks for himself but the ball goes dead.

39: Newcastle have had 26 tackles to Canberra's 5 in the opposition 20. It's frightening to think how far the Raiders could be ahead if the stats were reversed.

39: Tyrone Roberts and Tariq Sims on report for a crusher tackle on Blake Austin.

39: A forward pass stops the Raiders from posting a try before the break.

40: What a waste of a tackle! The Knights had an overlap and decided to take the tackle as the halftime siren sounds.

40: Statistically the Knights have dominated the first half: 57% possession, 26 tackles in the Raiders 20, 17/19 completions.

40: Both sides back on the field.

40: Gidley collects Austin's bomb and is taken on his 30 metre line.

41: Wighton knocks back and is collected 10m out.

42: Canberra get a penalty.

43: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Josh Papalii. Kick to come.
Any chance of a comeback has just been snuffed out. Great work by Sam Williams to roll over and score.

44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
5/5 so far for Croker.

46: Tapine makes a nice run for the Knights.

46: Tyrone Roberts almost traps Jack Wighton in-goal.

48: Another Raiders penalty.

49: Gidley stops Blake Austin close to the line.

49: Newcastle drop the ball on their own goal line.

49: Sam Williams puts in another great grubber kick and Josh Papalii appears to have scored his second.

49: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Josh Papalii. Kick to come.
The Raiders home fans will have plenty to celebrate tonight.

50: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
6/6 to Croker.

52: Iosia Soliola loses the ball trying to play it quickly.

52: Newcastle get a penalty.

54: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Akuila Uate. Kick to come.
Jarrod Mullen delivers one of the passes of the year to send his winger over.

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
It would take the biggest ever comeback in history but the Knights have time!

55: Dane Gagai makes a good run from the kickoff.

56: A great set ends in a poor finish as the Raiders clean up a Roberts grubber.

58: Whenever the Knights have the ball they actually haven't played too badly. But their defence has been atrocious which has cost them this season.

59: Uate almost breaks through.

61: Sione Mata'utia off with concussion.

61: Penalty to Newcastle.

63: Line drop out after a strong bomb from Mullen.

64: 40-13 tackled in opposition 20 in favour of Newcastle.

64: The Knights pass the ball into touch.

66: Austin bombs the ball dead and the Knights get a 7-tackle set.

67: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Kade Snowden. Kick to come.
After some nice runs from Tariq Sims, the Knights get over.

68: If the Knights had been able to defend better earlier on, this may have been a contest. It's been the story of their year; they've been capable of good footy but it just hasn't happened.

68: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
From right in front, the conversion is successful.

69: 16-2 offloads for Newcastle.

69: Edrick Lee bats the ball dead with Uate storming downfield.

70: Penalty to Newcastle.

70: Tariq Sims and David Shillington have a heated exchange but it comes to nothing.

72: Tyler Randell is taken short of the line on the last.

73: Canberra make an error close to the line.

73: The Raiders could have won this by 50, defensively they've been strong but they haven't had a great deal of attacking chances.

74: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Akuila Uate. Kick to come.
Great series of passes from Mullen, Gidley and Gagai puts Uate over.

74: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Great kick from the sideline.

76: Great tackle Sisa Waqa cuts Gidley down.

77: Hopefully the Knights can take some confidence out of this game towards next week.

77: 50-13 tackles in the opposition 20 to Newcastle.

78: The Raiders will have a chance to score the final try.

79: Sisa Waqa knocks on.

80: Forward pass from Newcastle.

80: McManus takes the final run and the Raiders record only their second home win of 2015.