The Eels 12 year relationship with the Northern Territory has ended in disappointment, with the Raiders crushing the blue and golds 50-12.
The Raiders immediately got the ball rolling with a quick try to Joe Tapine, who punished a slow Eels defensive line defending just metres off the try line. But the Eels were soon able to hit back, a remarkable solo try to Dylan Brown keeping the game tied after 20 minutes.
But the Raiders ended the half in style, first by a lovely grubber from Jamal Fogarty which allowed Ethan Strange to score his first try of 2025. Then minutes later, a strong kick return by Kaeo Weekes and Xavier Savage set them up on the attack again, which soon led to Hudson Young being rewarded with his first try of the night. Then finally, on the stroke of halftime, Strange broke the line and found Matt Timoko in support to give the Green Machine a 24-6 lead at the break.
To their credit the Eels did not simply roll over and die in the face of pressure, dominating possession in the first few minutes of the second half and being rewarded with a try through Josh Addo-Carr to cut the lead to 12. But once Fogarty knocked over a penalty goal with 25 minutes remaining, it appeared as though all morale left within the Eels completely faded and they were left sitting ducks for a rampant Raiders side.
Young's second was the first domino to fall, as he pounced on a ball dislodged by an Eel that was rolling around in goal. Then it was Xavier Savage, being awarded a penalty try after the Bunker ruled a slight grab by Addo-Carr was enough to stop him from winning the race to a bouncing ball. Matt Nicholson charged onto a Tapine offload and put the Raiders in sight of 50, which they cracked minutes later when a Strange offload allowed Seb Kris to outrun a fatigued Eels defence to wrap up the win.
For the Raiders, 2025 is their second straight season starting the year 4-2, and they'll be hoping they don't replicate last year's feat of dropping 7 out of the next 10.
The Eels meanwhile endure a 1-5 start, their worst since 2018. They and the Panthers are now the only teams left in the competition with one win to their names (never thought I'd say that sentence)