The Canberra Raiders showed again they are no fluke or walk over, beating the defensively renowned Newcastle Knights today. The Green Machine further locking in their position in the top eight after another runaway 38-18 win at Canberra Stadium today.
Still showing no signs of missing Todd Carney or being overawed by their growing stature, the Raiders are growing weekly under the guidance of top clipboard man Neil Henry.
Canberra scored an impressive six tries to the Knights’ three to increase their record of 201-46 in the last four matches played at home.
Raiders’ play-maker Terry Campese set up the opening try of the match, and scored himself minutes later, creating all sorts of problems for the Newcastle defence.
But it was two tries from full-back David Milne that were the standout, helping the Raiders move into sixth position on the NRL ladder.
After dominating possession for the majority of the second half, it was Milne who asserted the Raiders’ ascendancy with try judged to be a simultaneous grounding.
The blight on Canberra’s half was a dangerous tackle by youngster Tom Learoyd-Lars which will come under the scrutiny of the match review panel.
Newcastle’s poor discipline also let them down at crucial moments, with many of the penalties conceded opening up scoring opportunities for the home side.
The Knights’ last two tries of the match were to replacement winger Cooper Vuna who broke through a wall of Canberra defenders to score and prop Jesse Royal during the 72nd minute, but it was Raiders’ Neville Costigan who had the final say, scoring in the last minute of the match.
Newcastle will face the North Queensland Cowboys next week, who may have their tails up to avoid the wooden spoon.
Raiders: 38 (C Best, T Campese, J Picker, D Milne 2, T Thurling, N Costigan tries; T Campese 5 conversions)
Knights: 18 (C Paterson, C Vuna, J Royal tries; K Gidley 3 conversions)
Yep. I thought Canberra played very well too. A couple of lapses let the Knights in. Something I think they’ll have to ‘mend’ quickly during the following weeks….. Come on Green!!!!