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Miracle in Mudgee: Weekes finishes length-of-field try to give Raiders golden-point win
Mudgee: In what can only be hailed as the Miracle in Mudgee, Canberra sealed an epic golden-point win over Penrith – and probably the minor premiership – with an unbelievable 95-metre try.
Nathan Cleary lined up a field goal attempt from 35m out in the 84th minute, only for the ball to thunder back off the left upright.
Jed Stuart then grabbed the ball and passed to Ethan Strange, who stormed downfield then put Kaeo Weekes over to score.
The win guarantees the Green Machine will host a qualifying final. They will finish the weekend at least two points clear on top of the ladder with two rounds to go.
Any questions about their ability to match it with the big boys at the pointy end of the season was put to bed just before 8pm in the NSW central west.
“It’s been quite evident all season they play for each other, and they’re a competitive footy team,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said.
Canberra celebrate after Kaeo Weekes’ dramatic golden-point try.Credit: Getty Images
“Without downplaying the win, I didn’t think we were that good tonight, and at times our attack was patchy. It was gritty, tough win more than anything else.”
Cleary was shattered he had missed a couple of field-goal attempts.
“At the end of the day I should be kicking that, and that negates them running up the other end. It’s definitely disappointing. It’s not a nice way to lose a game,” Cleary said.
Coach Ivan Cleary added: “We made too many mistakes tonight, and opened the door too often; we released pressure too often. They made their own luck and got the points in the end.
“We went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams, but it honestly felt like we kind of lost that game.”
The 9925 fans were treated to a Friday-night bell-ringer. Nothing could separate the sides after 80 minutes, despite the Panthers having kicked out to an 16-6 lead and looking ready to close out the victory.
But Strange scored a try in the 75th minute to level proceedings, only for Jamal Fogarty to miss the conversion.
Panthers fans will believe Izack Tago was harshly penalised for running Stuart off the ball a few plays earlier, which ended in a penalty and a fresh set that led to the Strange try.
Weekes missed a field-goal attempt, then Cleary did likewise from 45m out, before Fogarty missed another.
The Raiders have heart and a never-say-die attitude. They are in this premiership race up to their eyeballs. They host the Wests Tigers at home next week and deserve a full house at GIO Stadium. Their final-round match is away to the Dolphins.
The Raiders celebrate Ethan Strange’s late try.Credit: Getty Images
It was the second straight golden-point loss for the premiers. They felt hard done by against the Storm, after Harry Grant raced out of the line and won a controversial penalty. They could be as low as seventh by Sunday evening.
Of concern for Penrith will be the form of Dylan Edwards the past two weeks. The fullback spilled the ball a couple of times, and dropped a high ball that led to a try for Simi Sasagi try. He came up with similar nervy errors late in the game against the Storm.
Edwards is one of the best fullbacks in the game – he is the NSW and Kangaroos incumbent – but teams are sure to keep peppering him and pressuring him from here until grand final day.
The Raiders take a moment after their victory in Mudgee.Credit: Getty Images
Centre Casey McLean opened the scoring in the 15th minute when a Blaize Talagi kick pinged off a couple of Raiders defenders. It was sloppy, but McLean still did well to dive on the loose ball.
McLean had a second after a Morgan Smithies error.
He is only 19, but McLean is fast becoming one of the star centres in the game. If only he had held off committing to New Zealand last year, the Penrith junior would have been in the conversation for the Kangaroos’ Ashes tour this year.
Isaah Yeo started the game off the bench and was injected into the action halfway through the first half. The co-captain conceded a penalty and knocked the ball on, proving he really is human.
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