Raiders 28 Broncos 29
Has to be the most dramatic game of all time in the NRL.
Broncos started well and looked good until the momentum changed and suddenly they were well behind the 8 ball!
Pivotal moments:
Reece Walsh coming back onto the field after his sin bin from the stoush with Hudson Young, with 110% determination in his eyes.
The full length try by Kaeo Weekes for the Raiders to put the Broncos in a big hole, just as the Broncos looked like pulling one back.
Payne Haas reappearing on the field for the final 6 minutes to set the standard for the team, when he was clearly not in great shape.
Billy Walters relentlessly making metres and making big tackles.
Kotoni Staggs being an absolute menace.
Paddy Carrigan leading from the front at all times, his 10 in the bin has now been turned into a ban unfortunately, a massive collision with Smithies that didn’t appear worthy of a ban, if he fights the charge and loses he would miss the rest of the season, so a massive call coming up.
9 minutes to go R.Walsh esquire kicks a 40-20, setting up the momentum for Billy Walters to deliver a magnificently timed pass to Gehmat Shibasaki who goes over and with the Walsh conversion takes it to 26-28.
The dramatic penalty when Zac Hosking took out the kicking leg of Walsh as he followed through with a last second kick, literally last second at 28-26 down[Cue Sticky and the Raiders bench to start post match celebrations]. However the penalty was given, after a long hard look, as a 10 metres in front goal kick and Walsh slotted it to take the game into 5 minutes extra time each way.
The obvious knock on from Stuart junior which Joey Johns called backwards for an eternity. [cue second Sticky and the Raiders Match Celebration].
Benny Hunt stepping up with the golden point field goal when it was needed.
Then there’s the thing. The thing is Madge has turned this group of highly talented athletes into a coherent, match-tough outfit, with an extraordinary depth of determination.
The Raiders have bossed the season and the Broncos have seriously lost their way at times, but let’s be very clear: Madge has developed grunt and resilience that the boys did not have last year. Let’s hope they can keep the momentum rolling and deliver this city it’s first premiership for 19 years.
Feast your eyes on Channel 9’s coverage, because this is an absolute ripsnorter that will never be forgotten, and we’ll even forgive Joey for his call on Jed Stuart’s knock on.
