The Toyota Forklifts Canberra Raiders have battled cold and wet Canberra conditions to secure a 24-16 victory against the St George Illawarra Dragons, keeping their 2026 campaign alive.
With chilly and overcast conditions settling in over GIO Stadium Canberra, the Raiders and Dragons both knuckled down in desperate search of a victory.
After having ample opportunities through the opening stages of the game, Tyrell Sloan ensured the Dragons opened the scoring in the ninth minute, streaking away from defenders following a Raiders knock on.
Having looked to have struck back shortly after, the Bunker overturned Ethan Strange's try in the 15th minute following a knock-on before grounding.
Regardless of affording the Dragons a bulk of field position and opportunities, Canberra continuously rallied in defence to ensure the scoreboard didn’t get away.
On their second trip to the Dragons red zone the Raiders had fans off their seats, with Hudson Young producing a ball-and-all effort on the end of an Ethan Sanders' grubber for their first points of the afternoon.
With scores back at level both outfits settled into a back-and-forth exchange, battling for territory to compile their next attacking opportunities.
With the Dragons gradually getting their noses in front for field possession, they eventually worked down Canberra’s resilient defence, with Setu Tu finding the line after a solid arial contest.
Gifting the Dragons another opportunity deep within their own half with only minutes till the half-time interval, Canberra found their defensive resolve once more to trail 10-6 heading into the sheds.
Returning from the half-time break and needing to be first on the board, enter Xavier Savage, whose blistering pace sealed a length of the field effort following a Dragons knock on.
Sanders made no mistake with the conversion attempt, handing Canberra their first lead of the game after 47 minutes at 12-10.
On their first set after points Owen Pattie took full advantage of a quick play the ball, nailing a 40/20 from the base of the ruck to put Canberra straight back on the attack.
Pattie’s boot continued to work wonders for the Raiders, forcing a goal line drop out to compound pressure on the Saints defence.
If one length of the field effort wasn’t enough, Savage left Dragons players in his dust once more in the 56th minute, reading the play beautifully to execute an interception for the Raiders third try of the match.
While conditions deteriorated both teams refused to pull any shots on attack, continuing to throw the ball around in search of an opportunity.
With no shortage of speed on the edges Dragons winger Sloan crossed for his second try of the afternoon, setting up a nailbiter with only two points separating the teams with under 10 minutes remaining.
The Dragons' comeback was short lived however, with Tom Starling crossing in the 75th minute and seemingly sealing the deal for the Green Machine.
As the clock ticked towards full-time a victorious Viking Clap echoed across GIO Stadium, as Canberra secured a much needed 24-16 victory heading into the bye.
