It wasn’t pretty, but it was two points they desperately wanted. And more desperately needed.

Somehow, the Raiders snapped a four game losing streak with a topsy turvey, heart stopping 36-34 win over Souths on a warm Saturday afternoon at Optus Stadium in Perth.

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MATCH CENTRE: Rabbitohs vs Raiders teams, scores, videos, updates

Ricky Stuart’s 2025 minor premiers had lost four straight before the trip west and things appeared to be going from bad to worse when Souths roared back from a 20-point halftime deficit to be within two.

Enter Kaeo Weekes and a piece of individual brilliance with 15 minutes remaining that finally earned Canberra their first win in more than a month.

Receiving the ball inside his own ten metres, Weekes tore the Souths defence apart to race 90 metres to score. Staring down the barrel of a fifth straight loss, it was the moment of magic they needed.

Ethan Strange scored soon after, but Souths refused to give in, snatching late tries to Alex Johnston and Jack Wighton but the Raiders valiantly hung on.

Hudson Young and Simi Sasagi were enormous for Canberra, while Weekes and Strange stood up when it mattered.

For Souths, who have lost their last six games in Perth, veterans Johnston, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell all showed flashes of brilliance.

FULL FIELD: Kaeo stuns with winning try | 02:05

NAP TIME

Just like they had in their only previous win of the season, a golden point victory over Manly in round one, Canberra fell asleep in this one and it almost cost them the match.

Against the Sea Eagles, the Raiders trailed by 14, then led by 14, before allowing Manly to storm back into the game and force golden point.

This time Canberra looked to be cruising at the break, up 24-4, only to allow Souths to score three straight tries to start the second term.

A win is a win, and it was so badly needed, but that mid match nap will keep Ricky Stuart up at night.

Mal outlines recruitment plan for Bears | 04:58

DARK GRAY

Souths will be sweating on scans for Jye Gray, with the diminutive number one injuring his left AC joint in a heavy tackle from Morgan Smithies, leaving the field in obvious pain inside 15 minutes.

The blow for Souths saw Mitchell move back to fullback, with Tallis Duncan slotting into Mitchell’s left centre spot and Lachlan Hubner entering the field on the right edge.

Canberra aimed plenty of traffic at makeshift centre Duncan, with Sasagi in particular cashing in.

The inform Gray is likely to follow Kayln Ponga and Reece Walsh as potential Queensland fullbacks to spend long periods on the sidelines in the lead up to State of Origin Game 1 on May 27 in Sydney.

FORWARD REFRESH

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart sprung a pre-match selection surprise, elevating Ata Mariota, Zac Hosking and Smithies into the starting side at the expense of Josh Papali’i, Noah Martin and Corey Horsburgh respectively and it worked a treat.

Papali’i, Martin and Horsburgh all made immediate impacts when they came onto the field midway through the first half and returned to help steady the ship in their second stints.

Ricky’s ‘Immediate Feedback’ after act | 01:14

HUMPHREYS HOME?

He may have played in a beaten side, but Souths’ half Jamie Humphreys did his best to impress Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga with some classy attack and inspired tackling on Young.

Humphreys is without a deal for 2027 and with the Rabbitohs under salary cap pressure, the versatile 24-year-old is likely on the move.

The Bears already have Toby Sexton and Tyran Wishart on the books as likely halves partners, but a player of Humphreys’ calibre would be just as handy.

FOX SPORTS LAB STATS

– Raiders snap a four game losing streak – First win since their 1 point golden point victory over Manly in round 1.

– Five straight wins for the Raiders over Souths – their best streak against them since 1998. Have scored more than 30 points in all five games – their best streak against any team since that winning streak against the Rabbitohs

– 34 points is the Raiders equal most points conceded in a win – most since 2012.

– 34 points is the Rabbitohs equal highest losing score – and most they have scored in a loss since 2003.

– Raiders maintain perfect 6 from 6 record in WA… despite not having played there since 1997

– Canberra led 24-4 at half time, and 36-22 with four minutes remaining.

Souths had 53% possession (59% in the second half) and made 7 linebreaks to 4.

– Jye Gray landed heavily on his left shoulder while running the ball early in the first half, and was reported to have an AC joint injury. He was on the sideline in a sling in the second half.

– Cody Walker’s try double is the 16th time he has scored 2 or more tries in a match – first against Raiders. He has not scored since round 2 last season. He now has 102 tries for the Rabbitohs, equal fifth all time with Harold Horder.

– Kaeo Weeks scored the third double of his career – his 186 metres is his most in a match this season.

– Simi Sasagi 2 try assists and 226 metres – both career bests.

Fox Lab POTM – Hudson Young scored the eighth double of his career (all wins), set up another try and ran for 141 metres, busting five tackles.

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TEAMS

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Edward Kosi

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 16. Ata Mariota 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 15. Zac Hosking 17. Morgan Smithies 8. Josh Papali’i 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 18. Daine Laurie 19. Joseph Roddy