Raiders roll slumping Broncos

The erratic form of the Canberra Raiders has continued today at Canberra Stadium, with the home side securing a 28-12 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in front of 9,850 fans.

Both sides kept pace and traded points in the first half before Canberra raced away in the second, a Josh Dugan double guiding the Raiders to a win which keeps them in touch with the top eight.

With both sides coming off a loss, many were expecting a dour, error-prone affair - however both sides showed plenty of finesse with the football, particularly after each had posted points. A try each in the first half gave Brisbane a slender 6-4 lead (Raiders goalkicker Jarrod Croker hit the post with his attempted conversion).

The Raiders came out full of running in the second half and posted points almost immediately - and from there it was an uphill effort for Brisbane. After Jarrod Croker's try, the Raiders doubled it up on 57 minutes to put themselves ten points clear through Shaun Fensom. Alex Glenn bagged his second of the game to bring the Broncos back into it, but two tries in the final ten minutes gave the Raiders fans enough hope through a 16-point victory. The final effort from Josh Dugan was a feat of individual strength and brilliance.

The Broncos standout was of course Alex Glenn before he was taken off with an injured hamstring, while Jack Reed also made a good account of himself in returning from injury. For Canberra there were plenty of players across the park with claims to stake - Josh McCrone, Jarrod Croker, Shaun Fensom and Josh Dugan all having superb games to take their side to a much-needed victory.

Ahead for the Broncos is a now-daunting trip to ANZ Stadium to face the premiership favourites in Canterbury. Canberra head up the Hume Highway to Penrith where they'll need to maintain consistency in order to hold out further hope of a top eight berth.

Match Details
Canberra Raiders 28 defeated Brisbane Broncos 12
National Rugby League - Round 22 - Sunday August 5, 2012 2:00pm
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Referees: Gavin Badger and Chris James
Video Referee: Rod Lawrence
Touch Judges: Dave Abood and Adam Gee
Crowd: 9,850
Halftime: Canberra Raiders 4 Brisbane Broncos 6

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Josh McCrone
2 Points - Reece Robinson
1 Point - Alex Glenn (2 Tries)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (28)
Tries: Josh Dugan (2), Jarrod Croker, Travis Waddell, Shaun Fensom
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (4/5)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (12)
Tries: Alex Glenn (2)
Conversions: Peter Wallace (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to League Unlimited's continued coverage of NRL Sunday as we bring you game two of three LIVE. This one comes from Canberra Stadium as the Raiders host the Brisbane Broncos.

In team news, the home side the Raiders have no late changes, 1-17.

Not so lucky for the Broncos - where we see SIX changes to their side named on Tuesday. Corey Parker returns in the #20 jersey. Jack Reed is also a late inclusion in #19, which sees Alex Glenn shift to the second row. Corey Norman moves to the bench to give Ben Hunt a starting role. It's FULLTIME in Toyota Cup, the Raiders have triumphed 50-36 in a high-scoring encounter.
With the action across the ditch winding down, we're fast approaching kickoff at Canberra Stadium. You can throw your two cents in about this clash throughout the afternoon in two ways - join us on Twitter with nearly 5,000 other fans (@LeagueUnlimited), using the hashtag #NRLcanbri
You can also join thousands more discussing the match in our forums, using our Game Day section!
Brisbane in yellow, Canberra in lime green - a very bright afternoon in prospect when you consider the referees in pink and the cold, windy surroundings. This clash is do or die for Canberra, their season can effectively be labelled dead in the water should Brisbane knock them over today. The Broncos need to win get their top four hopes back on track.
1 min: We are UNDERWAY at Canberra Stadium. Brisbane with first possession.
2 min: Early penalty for Canberra, Brisbane captain Sam Thaiday messes up around the play the ball.
3 min: And just two tackles in we have a Raiders error, Reece Robinson not quite grasping the ball fully as it spread quickly out to the left. Broncos scrum.
5 min: Messy stuff from the Raiders on the last, they keep the ball alive even after a cross-field kick, but eventually Dugan's forced to grubber and Hoffman cleans it up. Broncos to run it out.
7 min: Raiders' last tackle bomb is let bounce by Brisbane 20m out... Canberra knock it on. Broncos handover.
9 min: Brisbane put together a good set following a penalty for a high tackle - this time a grubber and they force Dugan to take it dead. Line drop-out.
11 min: The follow-up set from Brisbane sees a grubber over the dead ball line, 20m restart Canberra.
12 min: Brisbane work it out of their own end and receive a penalty for Papalii hanging around too long in the tackle.
13 min: Wallace has forwards running hard onto the ball in front of the posts but this one is called forward - Raiders scrum.
15 min: Canberra's long-range kick finds space but it's too heavy and goes dead, Hoffman will bring it back to the 20m.
16 min: Another drop-out forced by the Broncos, Dugan forced to bat it out touch-in-goal. Lots of pressure on Canberra in the opening 16 minutes thus far.
18 min: Brisbane hand the ball over in attack and Canberra not only get the ball but a penalty and will start a set just short of halfway.
21 min: TRY
TRY Brisbane Broncos
Scored by Alex Glenn. Conversion attempt by Peter Wallace successful.
Brisbane with possession again in Canberra territory, returning Brisbane centre Jack Reed attracts defenders down the left side before finding Alex Glenn on his inside with a cheeky offload. Wallace retains kicking duties today, and converts his first attempt.
Brisbane Broncos 6-0
24 min: Broncos players blowing up - Canberra coming out of their own half and a clear forward pass is missed. Two tackles later and Brisbane are penalised for laying on the tackled player too long.
25 min: It's raining penalties here, Canberra with another and they start 10m from Brisbane's line this time.
26 min: Canberra's passing goes a bit wild and it's dribbled out the back... Brisbane spill it, Canberra pick it up - six again.
27 min: VIDEO REFEREE possible Raiders try to Travis Waddell. Checking obstruction following a duck from dummy half right on the tryline.
28 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Travis Waddell. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker unsuccessful.
No obstruction there, Waddell's four-pointer is awarded. Croker's attempt at goal slams back off the upright - no goal.
Brisbane Broncos 6-4
30 min: The two tries have certainly injected a bit of life into the contest, both side seeming a bit more willing to throw the ball around and run at edges.
34 min: The wind playing a bit of havoc with both sides kicking games - neither side can seem to place the perfect fifth-tackle kick.
38 min: Canberra have spent much of the last few minutes trying to get out of their own end - this set they put the ball into touch just inside the Broncos' 10m line.
40 min: Halftime and things are erupting - both sides getting heated and trying a bit of fisticuffs.
41 min: Canberra with it to kick off the second half of action. Brisbane lead by two.
42 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Jarrod Croker. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
WOW! Brisbane mostly standing around after a fifth tackle bomb, Croker runs through, capitalises on the lazy effort from Brisbane by snatching the ball out of the air and running ten further metres to score under the sticks. He has no trouble converting from in front.
Canberra Raiders 10-6
45 min: Blake Ferguson has stayed down after what some have perceived to be a swinging arm from Broncos utility Corey Parker, but there's nothing in it. Play on.
46 min: After a Canberra error, Brisbane steam up the park but their last tackle option is appalling and Canberra come away with it, Sandor Earl making plenty of metres.
47 min: The Raiders' next set almost sees them caught with the ball 40m on the last, but eventually McCrone receives the ball and puts it into touch near the Broncos' 10m line.
50 min: Brisbane now with a bit of momentum, Jack Reed following through a Ben Hunt grubber to force the Raiders in-goal.
51 min: ...or not - the Raiders' line drop-out goes out on the bounce and it'll be a Raiders scrum. Freakish bounce completely fooled Broncos winger Lachlan Maranta.
53 min: Canberra with possesion deep in Brisbane territory on five... grubber, and Gerard Beale has to take it dead. A drop-out coming Canberra's way now.
54 min: So close for Canberra, Shaun Berrigan comes within centimetres of barrelling over but he's just short. Broncos now have it and also a penalty...
55 min: HOLD ON! Robinson (CAN) has kept it in off the penalty kick, Raiders ball!
57 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Shaun Fensom. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
And just like that Canberra have pulled away! After Robinson kept the ball *just* in the field of play, Canberra get the four-pointer by putting it through the hands, a short-ball putting Shaun Fensom over the line. Croker puts the home side ten points clear.
Canberra Raiders 16-6
59 min: A penalty gets Canberra out of trouble immediately from the restart and they go on to press the Broncos line, but it ends up with Brisbane after a silly attempt to run the ball on the fifth. Ferguson is forced to grubber ahead, allowing Maranta an easy pick-up.
61 min: Not good for Canberra - Josh Dugan pressured into a kick which has gone out on the full. Seventeen left - Brisbane trail by ten and have a scrum just inside Canberra's half.
65 min: TRY
TRY Brisbane Broncos
Scored by Alex Glenn. Conversion attempt by Peter Wallace successful.
Alex Glenn with a neat play and exploiting some pretty ordinary Canberra defence. He dummies outside and turns inside, strolling over untouched.
Canberra Raiders 16-12
67 min: INJURY: Alex Glenn pulled up sore with a hamstring twinge post-try, but then seems to have stayed on and aggravated it. He's now been taken from the field and could've made it worse for himself.
70 min: WOW! Brisbane throw it around on the last - it eventually finds the hands of Petero Civoniceva on halfway... the Canberra defence surrounds him and pushes him back to his own 40m.... HANDOVER! Raiders with it!
71 min: Sam Williams pulled up for a forward pass 25m from the Brisbane line. Broncos scrum now.
73 min: Broncos shooting themselves in the foot and again it's Petero in trouble, this time he's given away a penalty for a strip. Canberra start this set 30m out.
74 min: Canberra kick it on the last, McCrone gets it to rebound off Bronco legs, and it's six more!
75 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Josh Dugan. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Well that *should* be the game, Josh Dugan with a powerful effort, bouncing off three defenders before overcoming two more to slam the ball down. Dugan's a very happy man after that one! Croker adds the extras to put Canberra back in front by 10 points with five minutes left.
Canberra Raiders 22-12
77 min: Ball kicked into touch by Canberra in an effort to wind play down, but it looks like Jack Reed has nailed McCrone into touch after the kick and there's something wrong with his neck or shoulder. He's up now though and he's okay.
78 min: Thaiday loses it playing the ball on his own 30m line - the story of Brisbane's afternoon. Canberra with it now.
78 min: More tensions nearing fulltime, Corey Parker ruled to have been a bit of "third man in" as players come to blows. Penalty Canberra inside the Brisbane 20.
79 min: VIDEO REFEREE possible Raiders try for Josh Dugan. Checking grounding but looks good, Canberra win!
80 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Josh Dugan. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Dugan goes himself, grubbering at the posts and he picks it up to score. Croker converts and that's FULLTIME.
Canberra Raiders 28-12