SCOREBOARD
CRONULLA SHARKS 38 (Sosaia Feki, Luke Lewis, Jeff Robson, Tyrone Peachey, Bryce Gibbs, Beau Ryan tries; Michael Gordon 6 goals) bt CANBERRA RAIDERS 18 (David Shillington 2, Anthony Milford tries; Jarrod Croker 3 goals) at Canberra Stadium on Sunday night. Referees: Chris James and Adam Gee. Crowd: 7615.
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BEST PLAYERS
3 Jeff Robson (Sharks)
2 David Shillington (Raidrs)
1 Michael Gordon (Sharks)
THANK GOD THAT’S OVER
The most tumultuous season in Raiders’ history can finally be put to bed after a 38-18 loss to the Sharks. The Raiders had to deal with a raft of off-field incidents, including Blake Ferguson going AWOL and getting sacked, Josh Dugan’s axing, Sandor Earl’s drugs ban and the removal of coach David Furner. The Raiders dropped six straight games to end the season. After winning their first eight games at home, the Raiders had four straight defeats in a row at Canberra Stadium.
THE SHARK EXPRESS
The Raiders were right in the contest until the Sharks ran in three tries in the final 10 minutes to wrap up fifth spot on the table. The Sharks will now host the North Queensland Cowboys in an elimination semi-final next week. The Raiders were down to 12 men when Sami Sauiluma was sent to the sin-bin early in the second half. They also had Jarrod Croker, Josh Papalii and Brett White placed on report.
THE COACHING FUTURE
About an hour before Sunday night’s match kicked-off, the Raiders board met with the four-man sub-committee tasked to appoint the club’s new coach. Raiders legend Mal Meninga is among those on the panel searching for David Furner’s long-term replacement. Meninga’s premiership-winning teammate Ricky Stuart remains heavily linked to the job and has a get-out clause from his Parramatta contract. Interim coach Andrew Dunemann has also expressed his desire to take on the position.
THE DROUGHT BREAKER
Raiders prop David Shillington had reason to celebrate in the final game of the season, scoring his first try in more than two years. Shillington barged his way over in the first half for a rare four-pointer. It was Shillington’s first try since round 24, 2011 against the Gold Coast Titans. He only had to wait 46 minutes for his next try, scoring next the the posts midway through the second half. Sharks prop Bryce Gibbs also crashed over for his first try in eight years, sparking celebrations from teammates and the travelling fans.
THE SHINING LIGHTS
While it’s been a forgettable season for the Raiders in the NRL, the club’s under-20s side will go into the finals with plenty of confidence. The Raiders held on for a gritty 36-34 victory against the Sharks despite already having the minor premiership wrapped up. They will now take on the Canterbury Bulldogs in next Sunday’s qualifying final at ANZ Stadium. The Raiders finished the season with 19 wins, four losses and a draw, five points clear of their nearest rivals. They are chasing the club’s second under-20s premiership and first since 2008.
