The Canberra Raiders have fallen to the 24-12 to the Brisbane Broncos in front of a crowd of 10,090 in cold conditions at GIO Stadium.
The Raiders were in the contest throughout the game however they just could not find the results when they had the chances to score. On multiple occasions they found themselves just metres away from scoring but handling errors stopped their charge.
The Broncos got the scoring underway in the 13th minute when Jack Reed was put into a small gap from an offload and managed to get the ball down in the corner. The conversion was successful from Corey Parker for a 6-0 lead to the Brisbane side.
It was a quick double for the away side with the Broncos crossing again in the 17th minute. After a 40/20 was kicked by Andrew McCullough, the Broncos found themselves in good field position and they took advantage of this with Jordan Kahu scoring in the corner after he was found in space out wide. Parker kicked the conversion for a 12 point lead.
The Raiders got off the mark in the 25th minute with some great skills out wide. Edrick Lee made a solid run up the wing and then threw a great inside pass that put Blake Austin into space to score. Captain Jarrod Croker converted to bring the score to 12-6.
Canberra was in again shortly after to lock up scores in the 28th minute. After receiving a repeat set after the Broncos were penalised, returning halfback Sam Williams through a well-timed cut-out pass that found Jarrad Kennedy in space to score. Croker was successful with the extra two to leave the score at 12 points apiece.
After two great try saving tackles by Lee and Croker, the Broncos managed to cross just before half-time with an entertaining long range play.
Edrick Lee tried to offload the ball to a teammate however missed and the Broncos were able to make a 100 metre play that resulted in Lachlan Maranta scoring out wide. Parker missed the conversion to make the score 16-12 at half-time to the Broncos.
The Raiders started the second half well and it was only last ditch defending that was keeping the Raiders out.
First Kennedy came close only to lose control of the ball and the Iosia Soliola almost scored from a grubber kick that resulted in Daniel Vidot being tackled in-goal.
It was the Broncos that scored first in the second half in the 58th minute when Corey Oates found space out on the wing to score in the corner despite a tackle attempt from fullback Jack Wighton. Parker missed the conversion however to leave it at an eight point lead.
Parker made amends soon after when he stepped up to take a penalty shot at goal after the Raiders were penalised for a strip and slotted the goal for a 22-12 lead to the Broncos.
After the Raiders were once again penalised for stripping the Broncos elected to goal for go and Parker stepped up and converted to take the lead to 12 points.
Despite the best attempt from the Raiders they were never able to open up the Broncos defence and fell to a 24-12 defeat.
Brisbane Broncos 24 (Reed, Kahu, Maranta, Oates Tries; Parker 4/6 Goals) defeated Canberra Raiders 12 (Austin, Kennedy Tries; Croker 2/2 Goals)
