Raiders fall to Panthers at home

After a strong opening five minutes from both sides, Penrith five-eighth Blaize Talagi took the first points of the match off the back of a try assist from halfback Nathan Cleary.

The try was converted successfully, making the score 6-nil.

The Green Machine responded not long after, thanks to Ethan Sanders fighting off multiple Penrith defenders to twist around and score right on the tryline.

The halfback successfully converted his own try, making the score 6-all.

After some back-and-forth sets, Panther Blaize Talagi goes over for a double off the back of a linebreak from second-rower Isaiah Papali’i.

A successful conversion from Cleary sees the score 12 - 6.

In the 23rd minute, Canberra go over once again thanks to centre Sebastian Kris off the back of a class linebreak.

Sanders successfully converts, making the score 12-all.

Penrith young gun Casey McLean scored in the 32nd minute off the left-hand side and tapped the ball under the posts.

Cleary makes it three successful tries for the away side, making the score 18 - 12.

Just when we thought it was all over, Ethan Sanders attempted a penalty goal in the dying seconds off the back of a dangerous tackle from Penrith second-rower Luke Garner on Savelio Tamale.

The thirty-metre attempt was unsuccessful, seeing the score remain 18 - 12 going into halftime.

Coming out for the second half, both sides came out with solid, hard-hitting opening sets.

Canberra fullback Kaeo Weekes scored under the posts in the 48th minute after breaking through the Panthers’ defence in classic Weekes fashion.

Sanders made it three from three conversions for the Green Machine, levelling the scores 18-all.

Not even five minutes later, the Panthers responded in quick succession, slipping through the Raiders’ defence with Nathan Cleary scoring on the line.

The halfback converted his own try, making the score 24-18.

The away side backed this up with another try in the 57th minute by interchange player Billy Phillips.

However, this was sent to the Bunker for further review on the grounds of the ball being dropped.

The try ended up being awarded, and Cleary made the conversion in front of the posts to give the away side a 12-point lead, 30-18.

After a strong push from both sides to score and tensions boiling over in certain moments, the final score remained 30 - 18.

The Green Machine have the bye leading into Round 11, where they will look to reset and fire up against the Dolphins back at home at GIO Stadium in Round 12.