Match Details
Match Date	24th May, 2015
Opponent	Canberra
Result	Win 41-34
Coach	Des Hasler
Captain	Aiden Tolman
Venue	Canberra (GIO Stadium)
Crowd	12,221
Referee	Ashley Klein Henry Perenara

Cannon fodder for the first 20, world beaters for the rest. It sums up Canberra’s 41-34 home loss to Canterbury on Sunday where only an ugly field goal from the man dubbed ’Grub’ thwarted the Raiders quest to equal the biggest comeback in NRL history.

Canberra were listless in the first 20 and their defence was unable to repel a desperate Bulldogs, who built a 26-0 lead after just 18 minutes. The Raiders rallied to level the scores at 34-all when Sisa Waqa, outstanding at fullback when Jack Wighton was ruled out injured and Jordan Rapana (ankle sprain), scored out wide with five minutes left. Jarrod Croker’s sideline conversion locked things up and the Raiders had all the momentum against an exhausted Bulldogs, the two points seemingly at their mercy. But just days after being dumped from the NSW Origin side, Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds wobbly low flight onepointer just inched over the cross bar with 29 seconds left to secure a vital win.

Reynolds’ halves partner Moses Mbye scored late to seal it when the Raiders attempted a short kick-off, but it was Reynolds who led the way.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart only have themselves to blame after scoring 34 points but still losing. ‘‘We weren’t ourselves in that first 20 minutes, but the other thing is a lot of mates ask me how I enjoy coaching here,’’ he said. ‘‘Their desire and hunger was outstanding, there was no way we should have got back into that game tonight and I’m proud of their effort, but disappointed for them because that first 20 minutes is not how we play footy.’’ For the Bulldogs Aidan Tolman played the entire 80 minutes and hooker Michael Lichaa and Mbye were outstanding in the absence of key playmaker Trent Hodkinson and skipper James Graham. ‘‘I don’t think it was a case of not being wanted but Josh [Reynolds], certainly gave them [NSW] a timely reminder,’’ coach Des Hasler said.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

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