The Canberra Raiders are still alive in this year’s finals race after a 28-14 win over a poor Bulldogs side at ANZ Stadium.
The Raiders came from behind to win the game, led by trio Jarrod Croker, Josh McCrone and Daniel Vidot as they look to make their first finals series since 2008.
Kevin Moore’s Bulldogs side took an early lead, storming out to a 14-12 lead at half-time, but upon the restart, the team looked very poor and seemed to struggle in attack.
It looked as if the Bulldogs would run away with the game at one stage leading 14-6, before inspirational warhorse Alan Tounge dived over in the 40th minute just before half-time to cut the lead to just 2.
According to David Furner, his young team is really progressing well and growing in confidence at the right time ahead of their biggest test to make the finals when they come against the NRL’s top side, the Dragons.
“I liked the character we showed out there, we talked about what we needed to do in defence and that is what won it for us and it was really pleasing”, says coach Furner
“I never gave up hope of making the finals. I just think the ability in this team, we are good enough to make the 8”.
Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore said that the struggles his team faced in the second-half could have been avoided had his side held onto the ball better.
He was also furious that the Dogs had three first-half tries disallowed by the video referee.
“We probably should have led by 18 points at half-time, we created plenty and had a couple of decisions go against us”, says coach Moore.
“They just don’t understand rugby league some of them…. both of their tries in the first half came from some bad calls”.