The Canberra Raiders have defeated Penrith 20-16 with a miraculous length of the field try in golden point in one of the most thrilling finishes to a rugby league game.
It was tied up at 16-16 when Ethan Strange scored in the 74th minute and Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty missed a straightforward conversion from a slight angle to give Canberra the lead.
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Fogarty and Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes then both missed field goal attempts, before Nathan Cleary duffed a long range attempt, sending the game to golden point.
It looked like Cleary had the game on his boot when he launched a 37m field goal in golden point, only for the ball to hit the left upright and bounce back to Jed Stuart.
The son of Raiders coach Ricky jumped through two Penrith defenders and passed the ball left to Strange, who dashed down the left wing and passed to a flying Weekes for the matchwinning try.
Watch Canberra’s incredible golden point try in the video above
Fox League commentator Andrew Voss exclaimed: “That is the most remarkable rugby league moment, in the most remarkable league season in the most remarkable sport that is played on this planet!
“Off the post, a 90 metre try. It will be remembered forever as the miracle in Mudgee.”
Cooper Cronk added: “That is the most remarkable finish to a golden point game I have ever witnessed.
“It’s the most gripping finish I’ve ever been a part of. That is mindblowing. I have never seen that ever.
“Nathan Cleary, the iceman of our competition, has a shot from 35 metres out and it hits the upright.
“Stuart tracking back doing the right thing, is the guy that pounces on the ball, gets it to the two most dynamic players in the Canberra Raiders line up.”
The Raiders were testing their premiership credentials in Mudgee against the Panthers, who were desperate for a victory after last week’s golden point loss to the Storm left the reigning premiers outside the top four.
The result means Canberra have all but locked up the minor premiership with two rounds remaining, while Penrith’s hopes of making the top four are in trouble.
The Panthers, who also lost in golden point last week to the Melbourne Storm, sit sixth on the ladder behind the Warriors and Sharks — the four-time reigning premiers must beat the Bulldogs and Dragons in the last two rounds to have any hope of making the top four.
It’s a shocking twist of fate for Penrith, who were denied victory against the Storm due to a Moses Leota blocking move on Harry Grant when Cleary kicked a field goal that could have won his side the game.
Now the gut-wrenching manner of the golden point loss to Canberra might be the rugby league gods saying Penrith’s time at the top of the NRL mountain is over.
The victory may have come at a cost for Canberra, with winger Xavier Savage suffering a potentially serious shoulder injury.
Michael Ennis said on Fox League: “Nathan couldn’t have hit that any better. It was just millimetres of accuracy.
“For Penrith, a fornight of absolute heartache for them. Devastating, controversial loss last week against the Melbourne Storm. Just heartbreak for Nathan.”
Nathan Cleary said post-game: “At the end of the day I should be kicking that, so that negates them run up the other end, but yes definitely disappointing.
“It’s not a nice way to lose the game.”
Penrith opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Casey McLean picked up a lucky ricochet from a little Blaize Talagi kick at the line.
It took just two minutes for McLean to grab his second with a sizzling burst of speed from a scrum play and Penrith were back on top, heading into the break leading 10-6.
Three minutes into the second half the Panthers extended their advantage when Liam Martin leapt over the top of Strange to pluck a Cleary kick from the air and power over.
Strange made amends later when he shovelled a ball so Simi Sasagi could crash over, and then stepped up himself with five minutes remaining, wrapping around Jamal Fogarty in a set play, to even the scores. With a win in sight, Fogarty missed the conversion, and the scores were locked at 16 apiece.
Led by Talagi, a trio of Panthers hammered Savage midway through the first half, causing the Raiders’ winger to suffer a painful AC joint injury.
He was unable to engage in contact or contest the high ball and dropped a regulation pass with the tryline beckoning, but several times Savage bravely called for his inside men to kick into the in goal for him.
Savage battled on until halftime before being replaced, his left arm dangling by his side, useless.
Sasagi started the second half on the left, forcing Seb Kris over to the right wing, and Nathan Cleary continually aimed his kicking barrage at the makeshift Canberra centre.
Early season revelation Savelio Tamale is due back any week and may be the answer outside Matt Timoko in a new look right side if Stuart elects to continue starting Sasagi on the bench.
Weekes was incredible at the back for Canberra, running for 276 metres, including 150 in the first half alone.
Penrith’s representative stars Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards were enormous running the football too, with To’o, aided by a massive line break in the first half, amassing 243m and Edwards 215.
In a repeat of last week’s performance, Edwards however, made a number of uncharacteristic errors under the high ball.
With NewsWire
Originally published as ‘Mindblowing’: Raiders’ golden point madness leaves Cleary, Panthers shattered