Broncos capitulate as Raiders put on a second half show

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Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos

Only Questacon could have put on a more entertaining exhibition than what the Canberra Raiders put on during the second half of their 36-8 victory over a very poor Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium tonight.

Despite the final score, the Broncos first half actually looked promising for their fans as they were all over the Raiders during the opening 40. The Broncos were able to open the scoring through Jesse Arthars as the Broncos were able to dominate early down their right-side.

Despite the Broncos dominance, the Raiders were able to get on the board next as Jordan Rapana took advantage of a mismatch in numbers after the Broncos couldn't read the up and over floating pass and Rapana was able to cross in the corner.

Just short of the half-time break, the Broncos were mounting massive pressure on the Raiders and eventually the Raiders succumbed to the pressure when Herbie Farnworth crossed for the Broncos to give them an 8-6 lead.

The Broncos were looking to make a statement under caretaker coach Peter Gentle in the second half but sadly for their fans it was more of the same as they capitulated badly during the half. The second half started pretty evenly before the Raiders were able to burn through the Broncos with an English special as John Bateman was able to get on the outside of Brodie Croft before finding George Williams on the inside to score.

Floodgates were opening for the Raiders and the Broncos looked to have just given up as the Canberrans went through Brisbane with ease. Just five minutes later, the Broncos defence seemed to be stuck without a paddle as they just stood and watched Joseph Tapine move across the field before he could get an offload away before the Raiders somehow managed to build an overlap to score through Nick Cotric. Disappointment of Jordan Rapana being denied a try by the officials didn't last long for the Raiders as they were again able to score twice pretty easily soon after. 

The English duo of Bateman and Williams combined again as the two reversed roles as Williams set up Bateman for a try off his boot. The Raiders then added another try almost instantly as they went straight through the middle of the Broncos before swinging it back left where Jarrod Croker put boot to ball to get Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad his try of the night.The Raiders momentum continued to grow as Nick Cotric scored his second try of the night as the Broncos defence just couldn't stand up as the Raiders went down the right and scored  their fifth of the half.

Although the Raiders had all the ball and momentum, they couldn't add another try with Jordan Rapana having his second effort of the night ruled out by the bunker.

The victory puts the Raiders level on points with the Roosters in 4th place and the Green Machine will be looking to keep the pressure on they take on the Titans next weekend on the Gold Coast. The Broncos will be back at home as they take on the Dragons next Friday night.