Semi final schedule surprise due to AFL GF as Raiders on the brink<\/a><\/p>\nJohns believes it was the greatest finals game he had ever witnessed and he wasn\u2019t alone. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think I have seen a better finals game,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just looking over at you Kevvie, how are you feeling?\u201d Fletcher said. <\/p>\n
Watching son Billy, Kevin Walters was in awe of both sides. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a game,\u201d Walters said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLast time I played against the Raiders, they beat us up at Suncorp Stadium, but that was just something else. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe ebb and flow of it the last 10 minutes in the first half and then the field goals and everything that was happening. Ben Hunt with the winning field goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally happy for Billy (Walters) he has had a good season and into the prelim final, so really happy for the family.\u201d <\/p>\n
Johns believes the week off will be huge for the Broncos as they await the return of injured stars Adam Reynolds and potentially Ezra Mam. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat week off for the Broncos is massive,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Raiders looked home and to go through a game like that with the pace and intensity. They have got the Sharks next and it is going to be hard to get up again.\u201d <\/p>\n
“He called me a weak gutted dog!” | 01:10<\/p>\n
HOW WILL RAIDERS RESPOND AFTER 94-MINUTE HEARTBREAKER?<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s Raiders-Broncos final was a battle of epic proportions. Games of rugby league just aren\u2019t meant to go for 94 minutes. <\/p>\n
After 80 minutes of regular time, ten minutes of extra time and four minutes of golden point, the Broncos won on the boot of Ben Hunt.<\/p>\n
Not only does 94 minutes of football take it out of you physically, but the rollercoaster ride of that game could be a mental blow to the Raiders. <\/p>\n
Not once, but twice did Canberra think they had the game won, only for the Bunker to overturn a decision and keep the Broncos\u2019 hopes alive. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s no doubt it\u2019ll have at least some impact on the psyche of the Raiders.<\/p>\n
One team who would have loved what they saw on Sunday afternoon was the Sharks.<\/p>\n
Cronulla will be the team waiting for the Raiders in next Saturday\u2019s semi-final and compared to their opponents, the Sharks will be on the fresh side. <\/p>\n
Canberra are the better team and being at home, they\u2019ll start favourites, but will they be able to bounce back to their best in six days? Matty Johns has his doubts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be hard to get up again for that,\u201d he said on Sunday Night with Matty Johns. <\/p>\n
Raiders legend Bradley Clyde has faith though.<\/p>\n
The Raiders had it won twice.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cRicky\u2019s prepared the team for the last sort of six weeks, training a little bit harder for this finals series so physically they\u2019ll be fine but mentally they\u2019re going to have to reset and have a couple of days off after this game and charge into the next game,\u201d Clyde said.<\/p>\n
The question was put to Stuart in the Raiders\u2019 post-game press conference. <\/p>\n
Stuart his confident his young team has the mental fortitude to put Sunday\u2019s loss in the rear view and focus on their next opponent. <\/p>\n
After all, a grand final spot is still the goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got to get them up and we\u2019ve spoken about that. If you\u2019re not hurting now, you shouldn\u2019t be doing the job. We dust ourselves off and go again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve won games like that this year too, you\u2019ve got to remember that. There\u2019s been a number of games we\u2019ve won like that. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to be professional enough to have a day off tomorrow and we\u2019ll get going again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a strong resolve. It (the loss) doesn\u2019t increase it, we\u2019ve just got to deal with the hard way now. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a good enough football team but I\u2019ve said a number of times, you need a little bit of luck. We were without a little bit of luck tonight but we\u2019ve got into a position in this competition this year with having some luck on our side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thankfully, the Raiders will head into next week\u2019s clash without any injury issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think anyone\u2019s in any doubt for the next week,\u201d Stuart revealed.<\/p>\n
Ricky chats dubious calls in WILD final | 06:36<\/p>\n
BURTON SET FOR SWITCH IN RESHUFFLE AMID BULLDOGS INJURY CRISIS<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs will be forced into a backline reshuffle with Stephen Crichton and Enari Tuala potentially out for the finals series after suffering injuries in the 26-18 loss to the Storm. <\/p>\n
Crichton and Tuala hobbled off with ankle and calf injuries, seeing Matt Burton shift to centre where he put on a masterclass in a reshuffled Bulldogs backline, with Toby Sexton coming into the halves. <\/p>\n
Yet Sexton now has an injury of his own to deal with, having gone for scans on a sternum problem. <\/p>\n
Even with Bronson Xerri returning from injury next week, Burton looks set for a permanent switch to centre amid the injury blows unless Sexton is out, with Jacob Kiraz also still not looking 100 per cent despite a brave display against Melbourne. <\/p>\n
Michael Ennis praised the Bulldogs and particularly Burton for his ability to adapt to the injury crisis and still push the Storm all the way, calling the versatile 25-year-old a \u201cworld-class\u201d option at centre.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the inclusion of Sexton helped ease the pressure on the under-pressure Lachlan Galvin in the first finals series of his young career, with Ennis noting he \u201clooked more free\u201d as a result.<\/p>\n
Matt Burton was brilliant after replacing Crichton at centre.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Kevin Walters agreed Burton was terrific, but warned the injuries to Tuala and particularly Crichton could be too much to overcome. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just a bit worried about their injury concerns. A lot of carnage there tonight. Crichton is a massive loss,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The Bulldogs would be devastated by the heartbreaking loss and the injury to their captain, but Ennis warned they have to move on and settle on a backline to turn their finals campaign around in front of 80,000 fans at Accor Stadium in a sudden death semi-final. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey are going to have to get out of it quickly because tonight was carnage, but they are going to have to do it without Crichton,\u201d Ennis said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like they are going to be without their inspirational captain, but on the flip side, the response and the leadership of Matt Burton, who was absolutely outstanding stepping up. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe had to find ways to get into the game at left centre and just went after the contest. He was outstanding, scored a great try. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd there was a period there after halftime where the Bulldogs defended set after set on their line and then went down the other end and Burton scored to lead 18-14 and you thought, boy this could be one of the greatest wins in the club\u2019s history. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t to be, but there was a lot to like and Burton was the one to take the game into his own hands.\u201d <\/p>\n
Burton will have to replicate that effort against his former teammates after the Panthers booked their spot in the semi-finals with a win over the Warriors.<\/p>\n
Storm too good for Crichton-less Dogs | 04:32<\/p>\n
PEZET SHINES IN FINALS DEBUT TO GIVE STORM HOPE FOR HUGHES RETURN<\/p>\n
The biggest question mark heading into the finals for the Storm was could they replace injured halfback and chief playmaker Jahrome Hughes and go all the way? <\/p>\n
Jonah Pezet was named on the bench, but swapped with Tyran Wishart for his finals starting debut and lit up AMMI Park with an assured performance well beyond his years and experience. <\/p>\n
Not only did Pezet\u2019s performance help book a preliminary final for the Storm, but it gives them hope of Hughes making a miracle recovery. <\/p>\n
But more importantly, if Hughes can\u2019t return, Pezet showed he has the skill and temperament to lead the Storm to a first title since 2020. <\/p>\n
Walters had an inkling Pezet would be thrust into his starting finals debut against the Bulldogs. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had an instinct that Craig Bellamy would introduce him tonight to finals football and start him based on his performances the last couple of weeks,\u201d Walters said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSince he has been on the field for the Storm, even last week against the Broncos when he came on, I thought there was a bit of a shift in the way the Storm attacked. <\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the vision that he showed with his kicking and the ability to get the ball to space with his passing. He plays direct with the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd his defence tonight was excellent. He made a couple of great tackles on the line and his 40\/20 as well. There was a couple of very classy touches from him.<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly the Storm believe in him and he got his opportunity and he delivered.\u201d <\/p>\n
Shaun Johnson agreed Pezet set up his game by getting involved early with his defence and his kicking game and passing flowed off the back of it. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe put on an early try-saver on Matt Burton and that\u2019s where it starts with that mindset to get into the contest,\u201d Johnson said. <\/p>\n
Jonah Pezet starred in his finals debut at halfback.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you see Pezet continually get at one of the elite back-rowers in Viliame Kikau and just get at his legs. Pezet showed us how to handle him. Just harass him and get around his legs. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe did a great job defensively and that set up his game. He kicked so well, but the mindset about which kick to execute, looking for 40\/20s. He missed one just before he executed that one that led to a try. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe went for one early and just pulled up short, so you can tell he has got the mindset for a finals series.\u201d <\/p>\n
Ennis, meanwhile, knew Pezet was going to handle the occasion when he saw him run out smirking and laughing ready for the challenge. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe elements of his game are great, but have a look when he first walks out onto the field,\u201d Ennis said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe great halves have a bit of arrogance about them. They step onto the field and I say it respectfully Shaun, when you were in the great form in your career, when you think about Andrew Johns, Ricky Stuart, Allan Langer, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhenever a camera pans to them in big games, there\u2019s a confidence and an arrogance about them and the minute he came onto the field I went, boy he is ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walters recalled seeing Pezet play for NSW in the Under 19s Origin when he destroyed Queensland with five kick try assists in one game, calling him the \u201cbest player on the field\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe had the confidence and the strut around that field and he owned that game,\u201d the former Broncos coach said, adding he remembered even calling the Storm only for them to tell him \u201che is going to be a very good one\u201d.<\/p>\n
Based on Friday night\u2019s performance and everything Pezet has shown in his career so far, that assessment looks to be spot on.<\/p>\n
The Storm will want Hughes back if he can prove his fitness, but his heir apparent just might be good enough to win the premiership if he can\u2019t. <\/p>\n
Bellamy gives Pezet HUGE praise | 11:19<\/p>\n
SHARKS SEND WARNING SHOT AFTER BREAKING HOODOO TO KNOCK ROOSTERS OUT<\/p>\n
Sound the Shark alarm because Cronulla have emerged as genuine premiership contenders after downing the Roosters on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
The Sharks were considered by some as the easy-beats in the top eight. They weren\u2019t feared and many thought they were just making up the numbers \u2014 despite their dominant win over the third-placed Bulldogs in Round 27.<\/p>\n
But in front of a packed Sharks Stadium, Craig Fitzgibbon\u2019s men delivered a statement 20-10 win over a star-studded Roosters outfit that was tipped by many to make at least a preliminary final.<\/p>\n
Granted the Roosters played well below their best but the Sharks made the most of their opportunities before sealing the result with a Toby Rudolf try in the 75th minute. <\/p>\n
It was the type of win that has no doubt filled the Sharks with plenty of confidence as they head into the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
Cooper Cronk noted the Sharks needed to deliver a home finals win after their horror record under Craig Fitzgibbon. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a big win for the Sharks, they needed that,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey have had one win from six finals matches under Craig Fitzgibbon, 0-2 at home in finals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe intensity in that game was there. The finesse and class in coming up with plays probably wasn\u2019t there from both teams, but you have got to admire the commitment and the desperation from the Sharks. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Rudolf scored that try in the 78th minute and when the siren went it meant a lot to the Sharks players. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t their best performance, but they did enough to advance through to the finals and it is a big night for their football club because their would have been pressure if they had of lost that, but they got through it.\u201d <\/p>\n
Addin Fonua-Blake stood tall for the Sharks.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Braith Anasta believes the drought-breaking home finals win will ease the pressure on the players and allow them to chance their arm in the semi-finals. <\/p>\n
\u201cDesire and determination are the two words that describe their attitude tonight,\u201d Anasta said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey took on the Roosters and just out-muscled them. They were more disciplined and in the end that was just enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t pretty but they got the job done and they will have nothing to lose next week.\u201d <\/p>\n
Kieran Foran praised Cronulla\u2019s stars led by Addin Fonua-Blake for taking the game by the scruff of the neck. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey had a lot of pressure on them heading into that game,\u201d Foran said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey haven\u2019t been successful in finals matches and I thought their big guns stood up. I thought physically they were really good and that\u2019s probably where they won the battle.\u201d <\/p>\n
Cronk noted the Sharks\u2019 ability to win ugly is important in finals football and will hold them in good stead for the semi-final stage. <\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes you don\u2019t play your best football in finals, but you\u2019ve just got to do whatever it takes,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cMulitalo when the game was on the line was great. On the other side Katoa did a lot of work.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you move that through to the middle of the field and their bench was great. Talakai and Hamlin-Uele came on and through the middle when the Roosters were coming, they kept repelling them.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Craig Fitzgibbon while there is a lot to improve on to beat the Broncos or Raiders next week, I think they can be proud of their effort because they gave everything they had.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat try to Rudolf five minutes to go and he powers over James Tedesco and the whole team and the crowd were up because that was a big moment.\u201d <\/p>\n
Sharks snap hoodoo to knock out Chooks | 02:59<\/p>\n
PANTHERS\u2019 FIVE-PEAT ALIVE AS CLEARY BOOKS DATE WITH CIRALDO<\/p>\n
Penrith\u2019s win over the Warriors sets up a mouth-watering semi-final against a coach the Panthers know all too well.<\/p>\n
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was an assistant coach at the Panthers for five seasons and was key it setting up the defensive system Penrith have utilised to near perfection over their four-year premiership reign. <\/p>\n
Cronk believes it was Penrith\u2019s experience that got them home in a tight 24-8 clash against the Warriors. <\/p>\n
\u201cPenrith were so professional, they knew they had the difference, they never gave the Warriors a chance,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
Anasta warned the Panthers have more to offer in the next few weeks. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou just feel like they\u2019ve got more in them and they\u2019re only going to improve in the next couple of weeks,\u201d Anasta said. <\/p>\n
Foran agreed the Panthers can make the decider and would back themselves to go on with it from there. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf they\u2019ve got enough juice, they\u2019re going to be there at the end of the year,\u201d Foran said. <\/p>\n
However, Cronk warned it will be a massive challenge against Ciraldo and the Bulldogs. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey play the Dogs, the Dogs are beaten up, and Cleary is going to be the point of difference against the Dogs,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe interesting part for me about Penrith facing the Dogs is Cameron Ciraldo knows that defensive system. Penrith know the Dogs defend a similar way.<\/p>\n
\u201cNathan Cleary and Ivan Cleary are already scheming on how to break that down and he\u2019s going to be the point of difference when he comes up against Sexton or Galvin.<\/p>\n
Nathan Cleary was too classy for the Warriors.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a path now to get back home, rest and recover and take on the Bulldogs.\u201d <\/p>\n
Foran asked Nathan Cleary how much work will go into combating Ciraldo\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n
\u201cA fair bit. Obviously we have a pretty similar defensive style. He sort of constructed ours so we know the ins and outs there,\u201d Cleary said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think a lot of the time you sort of just get in the game, especially in finals games, opportunities present themselves so you have to be ready to take them so we will have a bit of a game plan but it\u2019ll be about us bringing our best footy.\u201d <\/p>\n
Warriors’ season finished by Panthers | 02:17<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Broncos will be sweating on the match review committee over Reece Walsh\u2019s headbutt, while the Raiders face…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":143546,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[18743,4614,48257,64,63,689,97436,21686,97418,4428,32120,97435,7618,4532,7622,97421,9418,11101,8089,4738,11096,13485,97438,25313,60064,97417,21683,8092,22691,19099,97440,28463,38382,25551,97433,13213,97434,13774,73367,763,18664,97423,36840,97428,97425,97432,96721,97422,4739,49772,1809,19069,4555,4575,4518,4415,43473,27285,3194,4744,4484,27146,4746,4466,32917,97420,97439,83781,677,4598,7495,71040,19095,701,97431,97419,13391,7291,97426,159,7623,97427,97430,96723,97437,8088,85,97424,4546,66722,97441,97429,11375,7663,4440,11089,22317,698,53983],"class_list":["post-143545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-adam-reynolds","tag-addin-fonua-blake","tag-andrew-johns","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-backline-reshuffle","tag-ben-hunt","tag-books-date","tag-brisbane-broncos","tag-calf-injuries","tag-camera-pans","tag-cameron-ciraldo","tag-canberra-raiders","tag-canterbury-bulldogs","tag-comeback-miracle","tag-comeback-win","tag-cooper-cronk","tag-craig-bellamy","tag-craig-fitzgibbon","tag-daniel-nuttall","tag-darcie-mcdonald","tag-defensive-style","tag-defensive-system","tag-dominant-win","tag-drought-breaking-home-finals","tag-ezra-mam","tag-field-goal","tag-final-clash","tag-finals-campaign","tag-finals-debut","tag-finals-football","tag-finals-game","tag-finals-games","tag-finals-matches","tag-finals-series","tag-finals-starting","tag-football-team","tag-four-year-premiership-reign","tag-fox-league","tag-game-plan","tag-game-won","tag-genuine-premiership-contenders","tag-grand-final-spot","tag-headbutt-brain-snap","tag-heir-apparent","tag-home-final-hoodoo","tag-home-finals-win","tag-injury-blows","tag-injury-concerns","tag-injury-crisis","tag-injury-issues","tag-jacob-kiraz","tag-jahrome-hughes","tag-jamal-fogarty","tag-james-tedesco","tag-johnathan-thurston","tag-jonah-pezet","tag-kevin-walters","tag-kicking-game","tag-kieran-foran","tag-linebreak-assists","tag-mark-st-john","tag-melbourne-storm","tag-michael-ennis","tag-minute-finals-display","tag-miracle-recovery","tag-nervous-wait","tag-oceania","tag-penrith-panthers","tag-post-game-press-conference","tag-prelim-final","tag-preliminary-final","tag-queensland","tag-raiders-legend","tag-raiders-respond","tag-reece-walsh","tag-ricky-stuart","tag-rollercoaster-ride","tag-rugby-league","tag-run-metres","tag-semi-final-stage","tag-sharks-send","tag-sharks-snap","tag-shaun-johnson","tag-sin-bin","tag-sports","tag-stars-led","tag-stephen-crichton","tag-storm-coach","tag-storm-hope","tag-sudden-death-semi-final","tag-tackle-busts","tag-talking-points","tag-toby-sexton","tag-tom-sargeant","tag-try-assists","tag-western-bulldogs","tag-winning-field-goal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/143546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}