Canberra v Brisbane - Canberra Stadium. Monday March 22, 2010.
Apparently it's a warm one in Canberra tonight. This immediately ruins about 3 jokes I had prepared for this retro 'live' blog.
2nd minute - The Raiders forwards look as though they are hunting and running in packs, as they usually do when playing at home. Bronson Harrison looks particularly sprightly.
5th minute - This kind of start usually means points, and does so today with Terry Campese getting in behind the Broncos defensive line to put Joel Thompson over to score. Raiders 6-0.
7th minute - These same Canberra forwards have just coughed up possession on two consecutive sets. Isn’t that the perfect summary of the Raiders? They can be so good and yet so bad.
8th minute - The Broncos return the favour and turnover possession twice in two sets. It must be hot and sweaty out there.
9th minute - Is there a better site in Rugby League than the Black Prince at first receiver? Great entertainment when the Broncos revert to their "get on board" style of attack. This is when hooker, half and fullback, along with a few edge support players, all stack up behind the play the ball and aim their running lines right through the middle of the field. Lockyer is the master of this.
Thought - Odd that coach David Furner chose to start Josh McCrone at halfback, in place of Marc Herbert. The number 7 responsibilities for the Raiders should be to keep shovelling the ball to Campese as soon as it comes your way. Shouldn’t it? (This thought comes back to bite me a bit later - read on)
12th minute - Raiders keep the ball alive impressively in the muggy conditions, Josh Dugan gets a lucky bounce and scores. Raiders 12-0
13th minute - great follow up set of six by the Raiders.
16th minute - I love it when you can hear body collisions through the TV.
You know that sound of internal organs crashing into each other and making a noise that sounds like it's coming from the depths of a footballer’s soul? No? Sounds something like... eewwrrgghh! On this occasion it was Broncos prop Nick Kenny launching himself fearlessly into 3 Raiders defenders. Awesome.
Just on Nick Kenny. A great replacement for the retired Shane Webcke and Petero (now at penrith)Civoneceva. Big shoes to fill, and he has not yet reached the lofty standards set by these two, but will get there in time. Kenny is 28 years old and looks the goods.
Meanwhile - Easy metres being gained by the Raiders.
25th minute - Great sequence of play with Israel Folau jumping about 6 stories high, but unable to take the bomb. Dugan picks up the loose ball and runs 50 metres. Broncos scramble and somehow save a try at the other end. A good game so far in balmy conditions.
29th minute - Joel Thompson pops the Black Prince with a shoulder charge. With intent. Joel had a similar look on his face when he targeted Jarryd Hayne for some rough treatment in the Indigenous all-stars match. Is he something of a giant killer? Time will tell. Meanwhile, the Broncos now getting more possession.
36th minute - thought - How big do the Raiders forwards look? Massive. They run hard, hit hard and convey a physical presence that is often overlooked by visiting teams. The only conceivable problem is that Bronson Harrison seems to be the only football brain among them. (Tongue not included)
39th minute - Speaking of Harrison, he busts through the line and sets up McCrone to score from the next ruck after smart dummy half play from Travis Waddell. Harrison is the difference so far and is causing havoc on the right edge. Raiders 18-0.
Halftime.
41st minute - Broncos defence is staggered on Campese, he almost busts them wide open on the last tackle. They are lucky to hold onto him. This is a dangerous defensive error.
42nd minute - Ben Teo makes a half break with no support. Teo looks to be more comfortable already this year after struggling in his first year with the Broncos in 2009.
44th minute - Corey Norman runs onto a Lockyer pass on the short side, the Black Prince's favourite side, and puts Folau over. Raiders 18-6.
46th minute - Peter Wallace kicks on the 4th tackle, a ploy designed to find space whilst the opposition wingers are up in the defensive line. Unfortunately Wallace finds the fullback on the chest and reminds me of the pain I felt whilst watching 4 years of NSW halfbacks kicking directly to Billy Slater. Nothing against Peter Wallace - I'm a fan - just jaded.
50th minute - Teo and Sam Thaiday must have copped a rev-up at halftime, they look ready for the second 40. Broncos all over the Raiders now but a Thaiday error relieves the pressure.
Sam then makes the next two tackles of the defensive set and David Shillington coughs up possession on the 3rd tackle.
52nd minute - Terry Campese kicks the absolute stuffing out of the football - it goes about 70 metres on the fly.
55th minute - Dane Tilse pancakes Wallace in what looked like a truck running over a baby shrub. Wallace can take it. Actually he can probably handle anything after experiencing a ruptured testicle. He's got balls this kid.
56th minute - Ensuing penalty leads to Folau crashing over a sliding Raiders defence. Fox commentator Laurie Daley starts talking but the words don't make any sense. Raiders 18-10.
64th minute - Broncos are building pressure through off loads and Teo running amok with every touch. The Raiders are somehow holding on.
67th minute - Here we go! Tongue follows a 60 metre drop out by popping Nick Kenny with two hits that jolt the ball loose. Only Alan Tongue can smash someone twice in the same tackle but the Raiders give it straight back and are under pressure again.
68th minute - Like the smart halfback that he is, Wallace knows Ben Teo is on fire. He puts him through a hole outside of Josh McCrone. Teo scores. Raiders 18-14.
Thought - The great thing about the current interchange rules is that it allows forward packs to bash each other for 80 minutes with fresh legs. Makes for great viewing. Bad thing is that halfbacks and other speed men don’t get to apply their trade as much as they used. Not as many tired forwards around the ruck. But it's a good balance.
73rd minute - One might get the feeling that D. Lockyer is not finished yet and is about to do something to win the game for his club.
76th minute - The Raiders are tired. They finish one set of six with a bad pass by McCrone; another set is completed with Trevor Thurling putting up a mini bomb into the Broncos in-goal area. Easily defused. Where is Terry Campese? Should he not be leading his team at moments like this?
Answer - the bloke has made 34 tackles and is exhausted. By comparison Scott Prince made a total of 14 tackles on Friday night and subsequently had enough energy left to orchestrate a win for his club.
There-in lies the difference between semi final teams and those teams still on the cusp.
78th minute - Folau runs it on the last and the Raiders somehow stop him inches short of the try line. Great finish and the crowd are right into it.
79th minute - Broncos last chance is lost, they turn it over and Tongue recovers the ball.
80th minute - Josh McCrone rewards his coaches faith and throws egg on my face with a match sealing try. He gets a double and the Raiders win 22-14.
See you next Monday night at Toyota Park for Cronulla v South Sydney.
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