FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange was sensational while another Canberra young gun in Owen Pattie added a double late to add salt to the Eels\u2019 wounds, once again showing that while the now is exciting in the nation\u2019s capital, the future is also very bright.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll play Origin one day and probably pretty soon,\u201d Michael Ennis said in commentary about Strange.<\/p>\n Canberra shot out of the gates, scoring two tries in the first eight minutes, but the Eels showed plenty of fight, roaring back with three unanswered tries to take a 16-12 lead into half time.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you believe it? The Eels are in front,\u201d Ennis said on Fox League.<\/p>\n The Eels had several chances to add to the scoreboard in the second half, but just couldn\u2019t capitalise. The Raiders meanwhile were able to, scoring five tries to nil after half time.<\/p>\n It could have been an even bigger margin had Raiders centre Matt Timoko not bombed one.<\/p>\n Timoko had the chance to score one of his own, but he was far too lackadaisical after crossing the try line and the ball was knocked loose thanks to a heads up play from Josh Addo-Carr.<\/p>\n BIG HITS<\/p>\n Ata boy<\/p>\n In veteran Josh Papalii and skipper Joe Tapine the Raiders have perhaps the best one-two front row punch in the competition, but not far behind them is bench middle Ata Mariota, who was again outstanding against the Eels.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old has come into his own this season, playing exclusively as an interchange sub, and would be a walk-up starter in almost every other NRL side.<\/p>\n Mariota is tied to the Raiders until the end of next season and will surely be a major target for Raiders great Mal Meninga and the Perth Bears in 2027.<\/p>\n Versatile backrower Hosking was also busy, deputising in the middle when Papalii and Tapine were off the field, but he is going nowhere, having this week inked a two-year extension that will keep him in Canberra until the end of the 2028 season.<\/p>\n Laurie\u2019s Strange double<\/p>\n All the talk in recent months has been around teenage half Lachlan Galvin\u2019s move from the Tigers to Bulldogs, but it is Canberra\u2019s young half Strange that has really been setting the competition alight.<\/p>\n It was fitting that on the Raiders\u2019 Old Boys Day Strange drew comparisons with former Raiders\u2019 star Laurie Daley with some of his runs, busting eight tackles and scoring a last-minute try.<\/p>\n Mixed Joash<\/p>\n With Newcastle-bound Dylan Brown left out of the side, Ryles again placed his faith in Joash Papalii in the number 6 jersey.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old rookie showed flashes of brilliance, including the short bomb for Russell\u2019s first half four pointer, mixed with some overzealous misfires.<\/p>\n He certainly did enough at times to warrant perseverance from Ryles and his future combination with fellow young guns Isaiah Iongi and Tallyn Da Silva will be integral to Parramatta\u2019s hopes for sustained long term success.<\/p>\n Post game Ryles said the outing would be good for Papalii\u2019s development and there was no thought to bring Brown back into the side.<\/p>\n \u201cJoash, he was good again today,\u201d Ryles said. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s obviously got some lessons there in the second half, so we\u2019ll just keep working really hard with developing his game.<\/p>\n \u201cJoash did a really good job and we\u2019re going to keep working with him and keep developing him and he\u2019s got the first opportunity there.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>
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