10 of the Best: Raiders vs Sharks
Over the 71 matches played between the Raiders and the Sharks there have been some clashes which are still talked about today. Here are 10 of the best matches between the Canberra Raiders and the Cronulla Sharks.
10. Raiders 40 def. Sharks 16 – Canberra Stadium (April 19th, 1992)
In one of their biggest wins over Cronulla the Raiders ran in seven tries to put the Sharks to the sword in this round five clash. With Ricky Stuart missing the game injured, Phil Blake stepped in to aid Laurie Daley in the halves before the carnage began. Blake crossed for one of his own while centre David Boyle bagged a double handing the Raiders their second win of the season.
9. Canberra Raiders 26 def. Sharks 24 – Shark Park (September 2nd, 2006)
In the final match of the season and needing a win to ensure a spot in the finals series, the Raiders fought off a late comeback to seal a spot in the finals. Up 26-0 at half time, the Raiders looked set to cruise to victory. But in an almost devastating collapse the Sharks raced back into the match on the back of Luke Covell who scored two tries to get his team within two points of the lead. Thankfully for Raiders fans Clinton Schifcofske was clinical with the boot converting all five of the Raiders tries, to gift Mathew Elliott’s team with a vital victory.
8. Raiders 56 def. Sharks 12 – Canberra Stadium (July 16th, 1994)
The Raiders scored the most points ever against the sharks in this demolition job seen by 12,000 adoring fans. In their premiership winning year, the Raiders walked over the top of a struggling Cronulla outfit thanks to Brett Mullins who recorded a hat-trick of four pointers. Led by Ricky Stuart the Raiders ran in 11 tries with Bradley Clyde and Ruben Wiki also bagging doubles.
7. Raiders 16 lost to Sharks 22 – Seiffert Oval (July 15th, 1989)
A late try to Laurie Daley wasn’t enough to get the Raiders back into the match in this round 16 clash which saw the Raiders fall to their seventh defeat of the season. In their premiership season the Raiders struggled to find points for most of the match while penalty goals started to add up before the lead was too big for Tim Sheens side to claw back. Tries to Phil Carey and Garry Coyne helped the Raiders get into the match but it wasn’t enough to get a victory at Seiffert Oval.
6. Raiders 22 lost to Sharks 24 – Canberra Stadium (June 14th, 2009)
After leading at half time the Raiders lost a slight four point advantage to fall agonisingly short of getting their fifth win of the season in this clash. After a slow start to the year the Raiders needed a win to get their season back on track, but a double to Paul Gallen and with Terry Campese missing one too many conversions it was too much for the Raiders to comeback from.
5. Raiders 24 def. Sharks 20 – Remondis Stadium (March 8th, 2015)
In round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, the Raiders got off to the perfect start after they trumped the Sharks in this epic clash. Leading by eight points at half time the Raiders let the Sharks back into the match early in the second half. But a double from Raiders fullback Jack Wighton was enough to secure the two points and claim a win in enemy territory.
4. Raiders 24 def. Sharks 8 – Endeavour Field (April 2nd, 1983)
The Raiders recorded their first ever win over Cronulla in this clash which saw two send offs and five tires. In round six the Raiders shot out to a 24 point advantage thanks to their backline who were responsible for all but one of the Raiders tries. But the second half showed a different tale with the Raiders unable to build on their lead but still managing to hold the Sharks to just one try and record the first of many victories over the Sharks.
3. Raiders 18 lost to Sharks 22 – Endeavour Field (August 30th, 1997)
In front of 17,000 fans the Sharks knocked the Raiders out of the 1997 Super League finals series in this Major Semi-Final defeat. A double from Sharks fullback Mat Rodgers helped the Sharks to victory as they cut the Raiders premiership dreams one game short. Jason Croker, Albert Fulivai and Luke Priddis all scored for the Raiders but it wasn’t enough to catch the Sharks who had the lead for the whole match.
2. Raiders 14 lost to Sharks 16 – Canberra Stadium (September 10th, 2016)
In an absolute thriller that had it all, the Raiders fell a penalty goal shy of upsetting the future premiers in front of 25,000 strong home crowd. A 76th minute penalty goal by James Maloney right in front of the posts was enough to split the 14-all deadlock and get the Sharks over the line. Both teams struggled missing some big names from their respective teams but it was the Raiders who failed to hold on to a 12 point lead after tries to Jordan Rapana and Josh Hodgson. The Penalty goal was the Sharks second of the game with James Maloney doing everything he could for his team converting 4/4 shots a goal to give the Sharks the advantage and ultimately the win.
1. Raiders 34 def. Sharks 16 – Canberra Stadium (September 9th, 2012)
In a game remembered fondly by Raiders fans, Canberra ended the Sharks season after they ran in seven tries in this elimination final victory. At the end of regular season the Raiders came up against the Sharks in the first week of the finals and put together one of their best games all season. A fiery finish to the match saw a try from Josh Papalii seal the contest.
