Canberra complete an epic comeback to down Titans

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Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans

Canberra came back from 22-0 down after 39 minutes to defeat the Gold Coast Titans 24-22 at GIO Stadium.

The 22 point comeback equals their largest comeback in club history (22-0 against the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval in 2015). 

It was the Titans that got off to a perfect start with Phillip Sami crossing just after 10 minutes, after wonderful lead-up work from AJ Brimson who threw a lovely cut-out ball to his winger to cross early to lead 4-0.

Canberra had limited ball in the opening 40 and what they did with the footy can only be described as shameful, dropping quality opportunities to potentially place pressure on the Titans. However, it was a complete contrast for the visitors who converted their opportunities in remarkable fashion. A lovely enterprising play from the Gold Coast on the left edge saw the side combining for an incredible try. Brian Kelly put in a kick which was regathered by Beau Fermor, who got it back to his centre to go over for the Titans' second try of the contest and with Sexton's conversion the visitors led 10-0.

Just after the 30-minute mark Fermor hit a hole at pace and the Titans' left edge struck once more.  There looked to be a question mark on the line Tino Fa'asuamaleaui ran, but the Bunker were satisfied with it and the away team collected their third of the first half, Sexton adding the extras from out wide to put his side up by 16-0. Canberra compounded their poor handling in the first 40 with some equally poor defence when big Tino crashed over under the posts to put Gold Coast up 22-0.

Right on halftime, Canberra converted some rare field position into their opening try when Semi Valemei touched down after Canberra kept it alive through Elliott Whitehead and Jordan Rapana, who found the big Fijian and he crashed over the line. Brad Schneider's missed kick saw the home side down 22-4 at the break. 

After the break, Canberra looked to come out with a renewed focus as Jack Wighton kicked early in the tackle count and trapped Jayden Campbell in the in-goal and earned his side another set of six. Canberra capitalised when Wighton put in a lovely grubber kick and Matt Timoko got a room service bounce to collect Canberra's first of the second stanza. Brad Schneider put his kick over from out wide and just like that Canberra were within two scores. Wighton and Timoko reunited two minutes later and the young centre bagged a quickfire double and all of a sudden, the visitors were the ones on the back foot.

Toby Sexton's decision making will come under some scrutiny when an ill-timed cut-out ball from inside his own end was intercepted by Sebastian Kris. In the corresponding set, the young winger crashed over and just the Raiders were within 4 points with the goal kicking of Brad Schneider proving the difference.

With just under five minutes to play, Brad Schneider made amends for his kicking woes when his grubber kick was perfectly timed for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to score the game-tying try. The rookie halfback nailed his kick at goal and secured a comeback win for the Raiders. To round out the victory, Valemei put on the hit of the season forcing the ball from AJ Brimson to seal the unlikely victory for the Green Machine.

The Titans had the game for the taking in that second 40 but Canberra bullied them out of the contest with strong defence and running of the football. Justin Holbrook would be rightly filthy at his team for squandering that game. 

Canberra take on Manly at Mudgee next Saturday, while the Titans return home to take on the Tigers on Thursday.