The Canberra Raiders looked done for after the Gold Coast scored four first-half tries on Saturday night.

Semi Valemei kicked off the fightback with a four-pointer in the last minute of the first 40 when all hope looked lost. Then quite perfectly the Fijian's tackle in the dying moments of the clash sealed a memorable 22-point comeback victory for the Raiders, equalling a club record.

Valemei hit AJ Brimson so hard with a textbook tackle that the Gold Coast five-eighth's shorts slipped off as he knocked on.

"One of the hits of the year," Cooper Cronk said in Fox Sports' commentary.

Hard to argue that. It was an absolutely bone-crunching effort.

Five-eighth Jack Wighton was at his best Saturday night. His kicking game was superb, his decision-making sharp and his deceptive speed played havoc in breaking the Titans defence.

More importantly Wighton and young half Brad Schneider looked to click and got better as the game went on.

At times Schneider's inexperience in just his third game in the NRL showed, most notably missing fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad charging on the inside after the half galloped into space early in the game. And his missed conversions weren't great either.

However Schneider showed composure when it mattered most as he gained confidence in the second half. He put in a beautiful grubber for Nicoll-Klokstad's game-tying try and then his 75^th minute conversion provided the decisive points.

"It was a bit rusty in the first half," Schneider said of his kicking post-game.

"I was pretty confident on the closer [conversion]."

"Get out there and cause a bit of chaos - that's what Sticks wanted me to do," Canberra hooker Tom Starling said of his coach's half-time message.

"Just get off the back of the big boys and try and run them around a bit."

The no. 9 did just that, showing off his speed and agility, catching the Titans defence on their heels with his best game of the year so far.

Moeaki Fotuaika pounded Starling right in the rib cage toward the end of the game, but the hooker didn't indicate he sustained any major injury.

Stuart later explained his decision to start Matt Frawley at hooker for the first time in his NRL career, over Starling.

Stuart said it was a deliberate move to give Starling a better shot at playing in a role he was more familiar with, usually playing behind the now-injured Josh Hodgson. The Raiders coach drew plenty of criticism from fans on social media for the bold decision, but it proved to work brilliantly as Starling did damage around the ruck.

Centre Matt Timoko had a ripping game, scoring two quick-fire tries to open the second half to jumpstart the comeback.

Last year's Rookie of the Year is like a neon sign at a 24-hour Macca's - always on.

He motors on every carry, looks to offload, pounces on half-chances and is frequently in the right place at the right time, and it's no accident. Watch this space. Big season ahead if he keeps this up.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a bruising game, taking some heavy hits and coming off second best. He had to leave the field for a HIA before the end of the first half, after an awkward tackle on Sam Lisone.

The Kiwi international was back on for the second half but looked to clutch his ribs after another hit, appearing to be in some discomfort. However Nicoll-Klokstad played out the rest of the game, and scored a pivotal late try showing his never-say-die approach.

"It would've been easy for us to roll over, but it's good to see the guys come out and get the job done," he said post-game.

Veteran Raiders centre Jarrod Croker made his long-awaited return to the footy field in the NSW Cup curtain-raiser on Saturday evening.

Some thought it would never happen, but Croker's back. In his reserve grade debut, the Raiders co-captain put in a solid 80-minute shift, moving freely throughout - appearing to put his back and knee troubles behind him.

He kicked seven from eight conversions and didn't shirk any hard carries.

Stuart wanted both Croker and young hooker Adrian Trevilyan to get minutes into their legs. Trevilyan did that and then some - getting through the whole game and looking sharp out of dummy-half and scoring a try in the process.

Canterbury-bound Raider Ryan Sutton was in good shape as well. Firecracker fullback Xavier Savage played the first half before coming off to warm-up with the NRL side.

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