The Raiders continue to have no luck in nail-biting finishes with a field goal from Valentine Holmes in golden-point extra-time giving the Sharks a 21-20 victory. The Raiders looked they were going to hang on when Andrew Fifita's 80th-minute try was denied by the video referee, but a penalty for holding back a defender allowed Michael Gordon to level the scores. Blake Austin's shot at field goal didn't have the distance before Sisa Waqa pulled off a try-saving tackle on Sosaia Feki. But Holmes kept his composure to kick the one-pointer from right in front. It's a tough blow for the Raiders after close losses to the North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs earlier this season.
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FIRST HALF BLUES
The Raiders were their own worst enemy in the opening 40 minutes, struggling to hold on to possession and making basic errors. They were fortunate to only be down 12-4 at the break. The Raiders had a completion rate of just 67 per cent in the first half, but turned that around after the break. They hit the front when Jarrod Croker kicked back-to-back penalty goals to give the Raiders the lead 20-18 with 15 minutes on the clock. It was a different story from their big win over the Knights last week when the Raiders burst out of the blocks.
WHERE TO FROM HERE
Finals football remains within the sights of the Raiders, but this heartbreaking loss makes it a lot tougher. The Raiders need to win at least five of their final seven games to push themselves in the top eight. Working in their favour is a schedule where they play one team in the top eight. Apart from that formidable trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys, the Raiders will fancy their chance in every other game. They showed glimpses of their best, but need to be more consistent for the full 80 minutes.
THE WILLIAMS FACTOR
Can the Raiders make the finals without halfback Sam Willams? That's the big question that needs to be answered. From the moment hooker Kurt Baptiste was named in the No.7 jersey, there was speculation all week the Raiders were going with a different option in the halves. While specialist halfbacks Mitch Cornish and Josh McCrone were the obvious options, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart went with the versatile Jack Wighton. Wighton has now played at every position in the backline in the space of 62 NRL games. He had a mixed performance, knocking on with his first touch before putting in a strong kick and chase.
THE ENGLISH RECRUIT
Blake Austin is the best buy in the NRL, but Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson wouldn't be far behind. The England international has been excellent in his first season in Canberra with his vision and passing ability at dummy-half. Hodgson also has an underrated kicking game, which was on show with a grubber kick that Edrick Lee pounced on to bring the Raiders back to within two points. Hodgson made a huge play with a one-on-one strip off a bomb 20 metres out from the Sharks' line. The Raiders kicked a penalty goal from the set of six to tie up the scores.
