Ever since Crichtongate last year - or perhaps since the grand finals against each other in the 1990s - the tension's been brewing.

That spilled over with some push and shove after the final siren.

Having the Penrith crowd mocking the Raiders' famous Viking clap will only add to the tension, with the home fans twice doing their own version of the Green Machine's catch cry in the second half - once after a try and then again after the Raiders botched a restart.

At the very least it will give Canberrans a new target for their animosity since Michael Ennis's retirement - with the former Cronulla hooker famously doing his own version after a semi-final win at Canberra Stadium.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was unconcerned about it, while Penrith coach Ivan Cleary felt it was just a bit of fun.

"I don't think anyone should be getting too sensitive like that," Cleary said.

"The crowd's paid their money, they're the lifeblood of the game. It's not just your home crowd, it's every crowd.

"That's what you want. You want people turning up in droves, which has been happening.

"I would imagine it's just a bit of fun and games."

The Raiders made their feelings about Penrith centre Stephen Crichton known when fullback Jordan Rapana shoved him after his opening try of a hat-trick.

Crichton infamously dragged Raiders prop Joe Tapine into a try celebration almost exactly a year ago at Penrith Stadium.

It led to criticism of the Panthers' attitude, which was brought to the surface this week after Zac Lomax was fined for also interfering with an opposition player in a try celebration.

At the end of the day though, it's the Panthers who will have the last laugh thanks to their convincing 36-6 victory.

Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo didn't think there was any malice in the rivalry.

"Obviously [we're] both proud clubs. There's the old history of the grand finals," he said.

"There's always been a little bit [of a rivalry] there. I think it's all in good nature, I don't think there's any malice in it. It's just two competitive sides going at it."

In a brutal Penrith defensive display, the Raiders were stuck inside their own half for almost all of the second half.

They could get the ball out of their own end - they just couldn't get their hands on it in the Panthers' one.

Time and time again the Green Machine were forced to kick from deep inside their defensive 50-metre - and sometimes in their own 10.

But they finally found a way off the back of consecutive penalties in the final minute of the game.

It had Raiders coach Ricky Stuart saying they'd struggle against any side if they can't get the ball out of their own end.

"It's pretty unique. I don't think we had a play-the-ball in their half in the second half," he said.

"On the back of a nine-one penalty count they're forever defending.

"It wouldn't only been Penrith that beat us by that amount other teams would've beat us too if you not getting a play-the-ball in the opposition's half."

The famous Stuart name is back playing for the mighty Green Machine.

After a stint with the Australian Sevens, Stuart's son Jed ran out for Canberra's Jersey Flegg Cup side against the Panthers as part of a triple header at Penrith Stadium on Sunday.

The Canberra Times broke the story in November that Jed Stuart was trialling with the Sevens program before he went on to make his debut for the Australian men's side.

But he's been drawn back to rugby league, having been part of Raiders' programs in the past.

He came off the bench for Canberra in their 64-16 loss to the Panthers in the under-21s.

The Raiders have been hard hit by injury throughout their grades, which has seen them scouting for talent to fill their depleted ranks.

It's also seen the return of the Woolford name to lime green, with Simon Woolford's son Zac coming off the bench for the NSW Cup side.

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