The Canberra Raiders have avoided one of the more embarrassing defeats of 2022, squeezing past the Bye in Golden Point at Bruce Stadium.
The Raiders looked set for a huge win against their invisible rivals, with Jordan Rapana scoring two tries down the Bye’s right edge in the first 10 minutes. Though Jamal Fogarty’s two missed sideline conversions meant Canberra only led 8-0.
A brilliant chip-and-chase try to Xavier Savage, and Fogarty’s successful conversion, gave Canberra a 14-0 half-time lead. Still, long-suffering Raiders fans feared it wasn’t enough.
But there was a twist in the game, as the Raiders players – terrified of another second-half fade-out – barricaded themselves in their dressing room, with the Bye awarded 14 penalty points to send the game to Golden Point.
Not wanting to blow the guaranteed two competition points, the Raiders came out for the GP period, with Fogarty quickly icing the game with a field goal on the first set.
Ricky Stuart was happy with the win, but said his boys would need to actually turn up for the full 80 against Melbourne to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
