Raiders Edge Panthers in Golden Point Thriller, Storm Hold Off Bulldogs
What a night of rugby league it turned out to be. Fans who tuned in on Friday evening were treated to two absolute blockbusters, games that will be talked about for quite some time. First, in Mudgee, the Canberra Raiders pulled off a dramatic golden point victory over the Penrith Panthers. Then, in Melbourne, the Storm managed to hold off a fierce Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs comeback to cement their place in the top two.
The action kicked off with the Raiders and Panthers. Penrith, the four-time defending premiers, looked in control for much of the contest, but the Raiders showed why they’re genuine contenders this season. With the game locked at 16-all after 80 minutes, it was sent into golden point extra time. Penrith captain Nathan Cleary had not one but two chances to seal it with field goals. The second attempt struck the post, and that’s when chaos unfolded. The ball ricocheted, was picked up by Jed Stuart, who then linked up with Ethan Strange. Strange, already the hero for scoring the late equaliser in the 75th minute, weaved past defenders before sending Kaeo Weekes flying down the left wing to finish off one of the most remarkable tries you’ll ever see. That 20-16 victory keeps Canberra on top of the ladder and in prime position to claim their first minor premiership since 1990.
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If that wasn’t enough, the night rolled straight into another thriller at AAMI Park. The Melbourne Storm took on the Bulldogs, and for a while it looked like Melbourne would cruise home. They were up 12-0 at halftime, controlling possession and dictating play. But Canterbury showed plenty of grit in the second half. Bailey Hayward got them on the board, Jacob Kiraz added another, and with just over a minute remaining, skipper Stephen Crichton almost snatched a last-gasp try. For a moment, Bulldogs fans thought it had been grounded, which would have sent the game into golden point too. But the bunker review revealed Crichton had lost control of the ball in-goal. That left the score at 20-14, handing Melbourne a hard-fought win.
The implications from these results are massive. Canberra remain two points clear on top, with Melbourne now safely locked into second place unless something extraordinary happens in the final rounds. The Bulldogs, though brave, sit third and will need other results to fall their way if they want to climb higher.
So, in one night we saw the defending champions, Penrith, fall in golden point yet again, and a Bulldogs team come agonisingly close against a Storm outfit that simply refuses to be rattled. Finals are just around the corner, and if Friday was any indication, fans are in for one of the most thrilling finishes to an NRL season in years.
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