Match Details
Match Date	29th Aug, 2003
Opponent	Canberra
Result	Loss 16-21
Coach	Steven Folkes
Captain	Steve Price
Venue	Sydney Showground Homebush
Crowd	20,016
Referee	Bill Harrigan

Canberra last night overcame the loss of Jason Croker with a broken leg to beat the Bulldogs - and their win may enable the veteran five-eighth to play again this season.

Croker was diagnosed with a broken tibia after being assisted from the field early in the second half and is expected to have a plate inserted in his lower leg next week.

But the former international hopes to be back within a month, and after taking a share of the competition lead with their third consecutive victory over the Bulldogs in the past 12 months, the Raiders should still be alive in the finals.

Unheralded at the start of the season, the Green Machine now has the chance to secure a top-two berth by beating Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium next Sunday in their last match of the regular season - guaranteeing them a second chance if they lose in the opening weekend of the finals and a week off if they win.

A loss by Penrith tonight against Manly or next weekend against Parramatta would have the same effect.

"I've just got to stay positive and see what happens," Croker said last night.

"It would be nice if the boys can get a win next week."

With Croker renowned for his toughness after playing a game several seasons ago with a broken leg, teammate Mark McLinden said: "I haven't given up hope of him playing next week."

While Croker was Canberra's inspiration, McLinden was the architect, scoring two tries and setting up both of their others.

He also won praise from coach Matthew Elliott for his defence in the opening stages when targetted by Bulldogs giant Willie Mason.

"We've had a lot of proud moments this year but I just said to the boys I don't know what comes after that . . . I haven't got a word for it."

McLinden described the win as the Raiders' best of the season, saying: "Like the Doggies have, we've beaten teams by 40 or 50 points, but when you come up against a team like that and you hang in there to win, that's when you get true satisfaction."

Canberra's victory ended a seven-game winning streak by the Bulldogs, who are now out of contention for the minor premiership, and the first indication of how the game would unfold came in the 16th minute when McLinden put centre Joel Monaghan over for his 20th try of the season.

The Raiders then exploded into action just before halftime when McLinden scored two tries in as many minutes; the first after his kick was fumbled by Bulldogs centre Ben Harris and he picked up the ball to score in the 36th minute.

The Canberra halfback was then over again two minutes later after replacement hooker Michael Monaghan sprinted into space on his own side of halfway and ran 40 metres before drawing Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten and passing inside to the unmarked McLinden.

A try by winger Jamaal Lolesi, who has signed with the Bulldogs for next season, two minutes into the second half extended the visitors' lead to 20-4 and they hung on despite the loss of Croker and Terry Martin with concussion.

"Mars is the closest it's been for about 40,000 years at the moment. Terry's just had a quick trip there but he's back now," Elliott said.

Admitting that news of Croker's injury "was not the diagnosis I wanted to hear", he described the match as a great warm-up for the finals.

"It may not have been semi-final football but it was a close relative," Elliott said.

Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes agreed, and said that after winning six successive matches by 40 points or more before last weekend's bye, it was the sort of game his team needed.

"Tonight there was a lift in intensity and real step up," Folkes said. "I think in the long run this week will do us good coming into the semis.

Source: www.smh.com.au

LINE UP