Raiders’ season on brink ahead of last-round clash
Alex Mitchell |
Canberra must quickly put Saturday night’s controversial loss to Brisbane behind them and win their final-round clash with Cronulla if they are to keep their NRL season alive.
Talk after their 29-18 defeat centred around some contentious calls that went against the Raiders, coach Ricky Stuart at a loss for words when asked how they could move past that and focus on the Sharks in what is clearly their biggest game of the campaign.
Whatever the result in Cronulla’s Sunday afternoon clash with Newcastle, the Raiders can officially seal their finals spot with a win against the Sharks.
But their Sunday game could yet be a dead rubber if they are able to cling on to eighth spot should North Queensland lose to second-ranked Penrith on Saturday night.
Canberra captain Elliott Whitehead, who couldn’t hide his disappointment with the refereeing, saw signs in his side’s strong performance that they could beat the Sharks.
“I try not to get frustrated with referees but some of the calls tonight (I’m) frustrated about, (but) it’s probably best not to say anything myself because I don’t want a fine out of this,” he said.
“We wanted to win tonight and we knew we’re capable of winning the game and we showed that tonight.
“We played really well and obviously we didn’t get some calls our way, but apart from that (we’re) pretty pleased with how we played.
“But still we didn’t get the two points, that’s the disappointing thing, so we’ll have to go back to work (on Sunday) and we need to win next week now.”
Playmaker Jack Wighton agreed, suggesting the attacking flair and defensive grit the Raiders had shown would hold them in good stead.
“We’ve just got to drop that game, take the good out of it and keep going about our business,” he said.
“Nothing else matters, what’s been is done and we roll forward.”
Stuart, who’s racked up $160,000 of fines throughout his career, could face another financial penalty for his press conference where he suggested the referees “didn’t do their jobs properly”.
AAP
