Raiders Fight to Stay Alive Against Sharks in Sudden-Death Clash
The NRL finals have served up plenty of drama already, and tonight’s clash between the Canberra Raiders and the Cronulla Sharks is shaping up as another thriller. Canberra, who finished the regular season as minor premiers, are staring down the barrel of a straight-sets exit if they can’t get the job done tonight. That kind of collapse hasn’t happened since 2009, and it’s a weight the Raiders are desperate to avoid.
But things haven’t gone smoothly in the lead-up. Just hours before kickoff, the Raiders were dealt a huge blow when star five-eighth Ethan Strange was ruled out through illness. Strange has been one of the breakout players of the year, and his absence is felt deeply. Into the halves comes Simi Sasagi, who has impressed in his own way this season but has never started in first grade at five-eighth. It’s a massive test on a massive stage, and how he handles that pressure could define the game.
Also Read:- Where to Grab a Great Cheeseburger on National Cheeseburger Day
- Tulsa Stuns Oklahoma State in Historic Rivalry Win
This sudden-death semi comes after what can only be described as a heartbreaking loss for Canberra last week against the Brisbane Broncos. Twice they thought they’d won. First, they had a commanding 16-point lead with just 15 minutes left, only for Reece Walsh to spark a stunning Brisbane comeback. Then, after an extraordinary finish that went to extra time and eventually golden point, the Raiders looked to have sealed it again with a try—only for the Bunker to rule it out for a knock-on. Brisbane went on to snatch the win, leaving the Raiders devastated.
Yet, remarkably, the mood in the Raiders camp this week has been upbeat. Forward Corey Horsburgh said the group has bounced back well from the disappointment. “It was a tough, long game; we haven’t played a ninety-plus minute game in a while,” he admitted. “But I’m feeling good personally and I’m sure the boys are feeling good by now too. We’ve been ready since the loss, so the boys are in good spirits and we can’t wait to play.”
That sense of resilience has been credited in large part to coach Ricky Stuart. Hudson Young, another Raiders forward, went so far as to say this has been one of Stuart’s best weeks of coaching. He explained that the coach’s passion and emotional investment have lifted the squad at just the right time.
The Sharks, for their part, have made a late change too, with Thomas Hazelton joining the bench in place of Braden Hamlin-Uele. They know the Raiders are vulnerable and will be looking to exploit any cracks, especially given Canberra’s short six-day turnaround. The winner tonight not only keeps their season alive but must back up again next week against the Melbourne Storm in a preliminary final.
So here we are: Canberra, minor premiers under immense pressure, with their star five-eighth sidelined, against a hungry Cronulla side sensing opportunity. It’s sudden death, it’s finals footy, and it promises to be a clash full of tension, grit, and possibly more heart-stopping drama.
Read More:
0 Comments