Canberra Raiders win golden point thriller in controversial finish against Melbourne Storm
Comeback kings Canberra have stunned Melbourne to win a 20-18 golden point thriller in one of the most controversial finishes in NRL history.
Raiders captain Jamal Fogarty landed the match-clinching 85th minute penalty after Storm forward Trent Loiero was pinged for a high shot on Hudson Young in front of the posts..
The Storm looked set for a Magic Round victory in regulation time.
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Leading 18-12, Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, in his 100th NRL game, appeared to have sealed the win with a 75th-minute field goal.
The one-point was disallowed due to Loiero being penalised while possession for an elbow to the head of Raiders prop Joe Topine in a previous play, after referee Gerard Sutton appeared to ask the Bunker for a review.
“I’ve got to say that’s pretty harsh. What’s he meant to do there? He can’t get out of the way,” Kevin Walters said on commentary.
Three minutes later Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes scored a stunning individual try. From 50m out he raced away, chipped over Papenhuyzen’s head, regathered and scored to send the match into golden point.
The drama escalated when Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu was penalised and sin-binned while in possession for stomping on Raiders hooker Tom Starling when his team was in front of the sticks.
Raiders prop Josh Papalii was binned for running in and getting involved.
Fogarty then stepped up to win it with a pressure penalty.
Scintillating Storm winger Sua Fa’alogo earlier shone.
The final Magic Round clash lived up to its billing as the match of the round with both sides inside the top four.
Pocket rocket Fa’alogo set up two tries, scored one and made three line breaks in a dazzling display.
The Raiders refused to relent. They had come back from an 18-point deficit to win their previous clash with the Dolphins.
They were behind 14-0 after 25 minutes against the Storm and again rallied to narrow the margin to two at halftime.
Melbourne had given up a 16-2 lead to lose 42-22 to the Dolphins last time they played at the venue and would have had a sense of deja vu.
Fa’alogo’s try in the 59th minute restored a six-point advantage.
In the first half Cameron Munster eyed space on the left after a scything Faalogo bust. His left-foot kick was precision personified and centre Grant Anderson swooped.
Faalogo set up a try for Papenhuyzen with a play of pure audacity and scintillating skill. The speedy winger broke down the right from 70m out and at full speed hooked an inch-perfect kick onto a flying Papenhuyzen’s chest. It was Magic Round magic.
The Raiders, however, are never beaten.
Hulking Raiders winger Savelio Tamale, who had a blinder, got the better of Fa’alogo with brute strength to score in the corner.
Raiders centre Matt Timoko was too strong and determined for three Storm defenders as he scored and it was game on at the break.
There was plenty of feeling between two rivals with a history of titanic battles. Two skirmishes between multiple players broke out before Utoikamanu and Tapine exchanged open-handed shoves with the Storm giant penalised while in possession.
Papalii was also put on report for foul play after he gave Papenhuyzen a facial.
