SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 34 (Alex Johnston 2, Bryson Goodwin 2, Adam Reynolds 2, Dylan Walker tries; Reynolds 3 goals) bt CANBERRA RAIDERS 18 (Sami Sauiluma, Jarrod Croker, Anthony Milford tries; Jarrod Croker 3 goals) at Canberra Stadium on Monday night. Crowd: 9526. Referees: Ashley Klein and Chris Butler.
LEAKY LEFT EDGE HURTS AGAIN
Canberra has had all sorts of problems with edge defence this season but particularly so down their left side. The Raiders conceded two very soft early tries down that flank to put themselves on the back foot immediately. They have leaked 26 tries down the left edge, the most of any corridor of any NRL club this year. Multiple personnel changes in the outside backs through injury hasn’t helped but it’s an issue which has plagued them for more than this year and is yet to be rectified.
EARLY GOAL SENT NEGATIVE MESSAGE
It took just three minutes for just how low Canberra’s confidence has plunged to be exposed. After back-to-back penalties, the Raiders opted to open the scoring with a penalty goal from close range. It sent Souths a clear message the Raiders have no self-belief as they battle to avoid the wooden spoon. Souths would have smelled blood and duly scored the only three tries of the first half.
SAUILUMA HAS NIGHT TO FORGET
Souths came to Canberra with a clear game plan of bombing Raider Sami Sauiluma’s wing at every opportunity and they reaped the rewards. A Sauiluma drop in the first half handed Souths a repeat set which led to a Bryson Goodwin try. Then early in the second half he spilt his lollies again, which cost another four-pointer through Alex Johnston. IHe did save some face with a spectacular second-half try. Canberra will be hoping Brenko Lee (hamstring) is able to prove his fitness for Sunday’s home clash with New Zealand Warriors.
UNWANTED RECORD ONE STEP CLOSER
The loss ensured Canberra’s home record this year slumped to 2-6. The least amount of home matches the Raiders have won is four – in 1982 when they "won" the wooden spoon, and 2011. With four games left at Canberra Stadium that unwanted place in the history books is now very realistic. After the Warriors, the Raiders will host the Tigers, Eels and Dragons. It’s an astonishing statistic considering Canberra won 12 straight games at home across the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The Green Machine fans have had very little to cheer about this year.
TIME FOR CORNISH?
Is it time to unleash the shackles on highly-rated Raiders halfback Mitch Cornish? The Goulburn product played his first three games off the bench this year but has been sent back to NSW Cup to work on his defensive issues. However, with Canberra no longer in finals contention it may be worth giving him an extended run for the last six weeks to get him battle ready for 2015. Canberra halves Terry Campese and Josh McCrone are struggling to create enough opportunities. McCrone in particular had a first half to forget on Monday night, with a couple of poor options putting his side under severe pressure.
