Phins fly past sluggish Eels
78 mins ago | Andy P
Raiders ruin Bulldogs' streak
The Canberra Raiders have done what twelve teams before them couldn't as they defeated the Bulldogs 34-6 in the Nation's capital in front of a brave 13,150-strong crowd.
The Raiders ended what has been a massive hot-streak of form as they stopped the 12-game run of the Bulldogs.
The Raiders half Josh McCrone was key to the 'Green Machine' points haul. Sandor Earl posted first points as he cleaned up McCrone's grubber kick. Jarrod Croker was magical with the kicking tee with a nice strike from the touchline. Raiders 6-0 after seven minutes.
It was all the Raiders in the opening 20 minutes as multiple penalties gave them opportunities. They capitalised on the possession as Recee Robinson strolled in after a line break from Josh Dugan. Croker added the two and extend the lead to 12-0.
A swing of luck saw the Bulldogs post their only try of the match. Ben Barba took the short pass from Joel Romelo to then link with Kris Keating on his inside to score. Krisnan Inu with the conversion closed the gap to six. Raiders ahead 12-6 after 23 minutes.
Canberra closed the half with a further two unanswered tries. Sandor Earl posted the second of his hat trick thanks to a lovely kick off the boot of Jarrod Croker. Croker struck the conversion well and extend their lead once again, 18-6.
In the shadows of half time, Mark Nicholls bashed his way over the whitewash for the first four-pointer of his career after Jonathan Wright failed to take the high kick. Raiders full of confidence as the lead 24-6 at half time.
Man of the moment Sandor Earl bagged his third four-pointer of the match as he plucked the ball away from Wright. Josh McCrone's cross field kick was pin-point to bring up the Raiders sixth try of the outing.
With the finals only two weeks away, points differential is extremely important. The Raiders took their opportunities at points as Jarrd Croker slot the penalty goal to extend the lead to 32-6 after eight minutes of the second half.
The man of the match Josh McCrone supplied the final nail in the Bulldogs coffin as he threw a cut out pass to his winger, Reece Robinson. The conversion from Croker pushed across the face of goal.
The Raiders for now entered the NRL top 8 with a 34-6 victory over the Bulldogs. With the Raiders pushing up into the top 8 it forces the Wests Tigers into 9th. The Green Machine have staked their claims for finals hopes and the win tonight is a credit to their determination.
Next week the Raiders cross the Tasman to face the New Zealand Warriors, while the Bulldog return home to ANZ Stadium as they clash with the Sydney Roosters.
Match Details
Canberra Raiders 36 defeated Canterbury Bulldogs 6
National Rugby League - Round 25 - Friday August 24, 2012 7:45pm
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Referee: Matt Cecchin and Chris James
Video Referee: Russell Smith
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Daniel Eastwood
Crowd: 13,150
Halftime: Canberra Raiders 24 Canterbury Bulldogs 6
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Josh McCrone
2 Points - Sandor Earl (3 Tries)
1 Point - Josh Dugan
CANBERRA RAIDERS (36)
Tries: Reece Robinson (2), Sandor Earl (3), Mark Nicholls
Field Goals: Sam Williams (0/1)
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (5/6)
Penalty Goals: Jarrod Croker (1/1)
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS (6)
Tries: Kris Keating
Conversions: Krisnan Inu (1/1)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome League fans to a cold Canberra Stadium as we bring you coverage of the Canberra Raiders and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. A win tonight for the Bulldogs will see them secure the 2012 Minor Premiership, while for the Raiders they are clutching at a possible final berth.
In team changes tonight, the Raiders will be as per the team sheet, 1-17.
However, for the Bulldogs, they have one change with Michael Ennis ruled out which sees Joel Romelo called up into the starting side at hooker.
We are moments away from kick off here in Canberra as the teams return into the sheds after their pre-game warm up
1 min: We are UNDERWAY in Canberra with the Raiders kicking off.
5 min: Penalty for a strip against the Bulldogs. Raiders well on the attack inside the Bulldogs 10 metre line. The count is currently at 3-1
6 min: Zero tackle for the Raiders, a little kick from the McCrone is played at by Kris Keating and the Raiders continue to put pressure on the Dogs line.
7 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Sandor Earl. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Josh McCrone put the short kick into the in goal area and it's dived on by Sandor Earl just before the dead ball line. Croker nails conversion from the touchline.
Canberra Raiders 6-0
9 min: Time off here with Krisnan Inu down after taking a bomb. A quick look by the video referee doesn't find anything. Raiders come up with the ball on their 20 metre line.
11 min: Kris Keating fires the ball high into the air to end of the set for the Bulldogs, it was taken well under pressure by Josh Dugan for him to start the Raiders set.
12 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs against Krisnan Inu and Aiden Tolman for not clearing the ruck quick enough. Raiders march up over halfway
13 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Reece Robinson. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Reece Robinson backed up in support after Josh Dugan made a line break. The Raiders on the back of their 5th penalty stroll through to score their second try. Jarrod Croker with a beautiful kick adds the extras
Canberra Raiders 12-0
17 min: Ben Barba took the kick from the Raiders set and the Raiders chases forced him over the sideline. Scrum feed to the Raiders on the Bulldogs 10 metre line. Another chance for the Raiders to attack and mount more points.
19 min: UNFORCED ERROR Canberra Raiders
Josh Dugan took the short pass from Josh McCrone but he reached for the line and had the ball knocked out. Knock on the call and the Bulldogs escape without conceding points. Bulldogs come up with the ball through a scrum feed.
22 min: UNFORCED ERROR Canberra Raiders
Josh McCrone failed to pick up the ball at the play of the ball quickly and knocked on. Bulldogs with a massive shot at the line. Scrum feed 20 metres out.
23 min: TRY
TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Scored by Kris Keating. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful.
Joel Romelo from the back of the scrum at lock broke out and found a running Ben Barba. Barba with the beautiful pass to Kris Keating on his inside and Keating streaks away to score. Krisnan Inu with the conversion doesn't miss.
Canberra Raiders 12-6
26 min: From the kick restart, Jonathan Wright is forced into touch by Josh McCrone easily. The Raiders come up possession through a scrum feed 20 metres from the Buldogs line.
27 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Raiders. Sandor Earl with a piece of magic has come up and grounded the kick just before the sideline.
28 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Sandor Earl. Conversion attempt by Josh McCrone unsuccessful.
Jarrod Croker placed a lovely kick through the Bulldogs line to the corner and Sandor Earl dives on the rolling ball comfortably. Jarrod Croker with the conversion struck it straight as possible and nailed it.
Canberra Raiders 18-6
31 min: Penalty to the Raiders for Kris Keating stripping the ball in the ruck after the held call. Raiders kick up field to start their set on their 30 metre line.
32 min: Forward pass ruled from Josh Papalii. They give up possession to the Bulldogs on the Dogs 30 metre line. A scrum feed packs down for the Bulldogs to start their set middle of their half.
36 min: VIDEO REFEREE again for the Raiders. Sandor Earl with another piece of magic here...maybe
36 min: NO TRY! Sandor Earl has been denied points in the corner after the video referee deemed their was separation between the ball and Earl's fingers.
38 min: VIDEO REFERE for the Raiders again...referee came so close to awarding it. Mark Nichlos claiming point.s
39 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Mark Nicholls. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Mark Nicholls is awarded (benefit of the doubt) his first try of his career after Jonathan Wright failed to clean up the high kick. Ben Barba forced Mark Nicholls over the whitewash and managed to ground it on the line. Croker strikes the conversion attempt well and adds the extras.
Canberra Raiders 24-6
39 min: Krisnan Inu fires the kick over the sideline at the kick restart and the Raiders get a penalty on halfway.
39 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Canberra Raiders
Field goal attempt by Sam Williams unsuccessful as the siren sounds for half time.
Canberra Raiders 24-6
40 min: HALF TIME here in Canberra, the Raiders strong in the opening forty minutes as they look to cause an upset here. Raiders 24 lead Bulldogs 6
41 min: We are back UNDERWAY for the second half in Canberra after Krisnan Inu fires the ball off the tee.
41 min: UNFORCED ERROR Canterbury Bulldogs
Sam Perrett failed to take the Raiders kick and the Raiders have possession through a scrum feed on the Buldogs 10 metre line.
44 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Sandor Earl. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker unsuccessful.
Sandor Earl bags his THIRD try of the night as he plucked the ball out of the air from the cross field kick and dives in. He out leapt Jono Wright and scores his HAT TRICK! Jarrod Croker hooks the conversion away from the posts.
Canberra Raiders 30-6
44 min: OFFICIAL CROWD tonight in Canberra has been posted at 13,150
47 min: Penalty to the Raiders against Sam Kasiano for collecting Josh McCrone after the kick. Penalty to the Raiders in front of the posts and will take the two points.
48 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY GOAL Canberra Raiders
Penalty goal attempt by Jarrod Croker successful from in front of the sticks
Canberra Raiders 32-6
50 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs against Shaun Fensom for the tackle on James Graham. HOWEVER the Bulldogs fail to find touch as Reece Robinson took it on the full.
57 min: UNFORCED ERROR Canberra Raiders
Josh Dugan juggled the ball in the high ball contest with Josh Morris. So, the Bulldogs with a chance to post their second try from the scrum win 10 metres from the line.
58 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs against David Shillington for firing off the goal line way too early, offside the call. Bulldogs take the quick tap 10 metres out.
59 min: Another penalty to the Bulldogs for hand on the ball from the Raiders after the held call. This is the Dogs second back to back penalty on the Raiders goal line.
60 min: Beautiful work from Sandor Earl who took the kick from Ben Barba to reach out and stay in the field of play. The goal line defence from the Raiders has been wonderful tonight.
61 min: Raiders cough up possession and the Bulldogs go on the attack inside the Raiders 20 metre line. Raiders need to stick with their defence here.
62 min: VIDEO REFREE for the Bulldogs, reached out for the line, looking for a knock on.
62 min: NO TRY! Dale Finucane darted out for the line but as he reached out lost it at the death. Raiders lucky not to concede points there and as a result come up with possession through scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
64 min: UNFORCED ERROR Canterbury Bulldogs
Josh Reynolds raced out of the line after Krisnan Inu chipped over the top, but as Reynolds tried to take the ball he knocked on into Josh Dugan. So, the Raiders come up with the ball with a change over.
66 min: Before Ben Barba could gallop away downfield the Bulldogs are called back for a foot on the touch line as Josh McCrone forced him wider than the field. Raiders pack a scrum feed 17 metres from the Bulldogs line.
67 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Raiders, Sandor Earl leapt high in the in goal area but looks like he knocked on. Referee just confirming the restart.
67 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs for the Raiders being offside at the 20 metre tap.
69 min: Sam Perrett took the quick pass from Ben Barba but the Raiders defence pushed across and Jarrod Croker forced him over the sideline. Another scrum feed packs down for the Raiders on the 10 metre.
69 min: Sam Williams has a left shoulder strain and will not return tonight. The Raiders are hoping he will be okay for their match next week.
73 min: TRY
TRY Canberra Raiders
Scored by Reece Robinson. Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker unsuccessful.
Reece Robinson raced down the touchline after taking a beautiful cut out pass from Josh McCrone. Robinson claims his second try of the evening. Croker with the conversion from the touchline pushed it across the face of goal
Canberra Raiders 36-6
75 min: Sandor Earl has fired the ball out over behind the dead ball line. Josh Papalii opened the line but unable crack for most points.
76 min: Forward pass has denied the Bulldogs their second try as Josh Reynolds popped the pass out to Sam Perrett. Scrum feed packs down on the 10 metre line for the Raiders.
79 min: Just before full time, Sandor Earl failed to take the pass as Josh McCrone's pass and it went over the sideline.
80 min: FULL TIME here in Canberra and The Canberra Raiders have done what 11 teams before them couldn't as they defeated the Bulldogs 34-6 in the Nation's capital in front of a brave 13,150 fans.