The Raiders’ dream run has ended with the heaviest finals defeat in club history as they were dominated 40-4 by an inspired Eels outfit.
Ricky Stuart has failed to win a semi-final for the first time in his coaching career after successfully guiding his sides through to the preliminary final on seven previous attempts.
Canberra had only 36 per cent of possession in the first half and were lucky not to trail by more than 22-4 at the break, while Joe Tapine was the only forward to run for over 100 metres.
Read on for the Raiders player ratings from their semi final against the Eels!
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1. XAVIER SAVAGE – 6
Nutmegged by a grubber for Tom Opacic to score the easiest of tries in the 14th minute. The 20-year-old was then driven back nine metres into his in-goal which led to the Eels’ fourth try. Redeemed himself by scoring a brilliant individual try in the 29th minute after stepping through the line and running 80 metres, dancing around fullback Clint Gutherson to score. Finished with 186 metres and four tackle busts from 13 carries.
2. NICK COTRIC – 6.5
Worked hard out of yardage but was rarely seen in attack at the other end of the park. Finished with 110 metres from 13 carries, two tackle busts, an offload and a linebreak.
3. MATTHEW TIMOKO – 5.5
Went about his work without ever breaking the game open. Finished with 73 metres from seven carries.
4. SEBASTIAN KRIS – 6.5
Toiled hard but was tackled into touch on halfway which led to the Eels’ third try in the 18th minute. Made a few half breaks in the second half before leaving the game for an HIA in the 67th minute. Ran for 96 metres from nine carries, four tackle busts and two linebreaks.
5. JORDAN RAPANA – 5
Dropped the ball in the sixth minute which led to the opening try. Dropped the ball over the line in the 13th minute. Took an intercept in the first half and finished with 161 metres from 18 carries which included four tackle busts.
6. JACK WIGHTON – 5.5
Had a strong kicking game but threw some poor passes. Got caught marginally offside in the 45th minute in what could have been a penalty try. Bombed another try in the 65th minute after letting a chip fall through the bread basket.
7. JAMAL FOGARTY – 5
The halfback was busy in defence with 25 tackles but didn’t create much in attack. Ran for 37 metres from four carries.
8. JOSH PAPALII – 6
Took the first hitup of the match and finished with six tackle busts, worked hard with 26 tackles but only ran for 67 metres from seven carries.
9. ZAC WOOLFORD – 4.5
A quiet night from the rookie hooker, had just one carry for 11 metres and made 13 tackles.
10. JOSEPH TAPINE – 6
The form prop of the competition had an uncharacteristically quiet night until the final 20 minutes. Finished with 103 metres from 10 carries, had three tackle busts, two offloads and 32 tackles.
11. HUDSON YOUNG – 5
The man playing for a spot in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad failed to insert himself in the game. Below par by his standards. Had 94 metres from 13 carries but made 23 tackles.
12. ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD – 5
Went off for an HIA in the 10th minute after the independent doctor in the bunker spotted something. Passed but looked shaky for the rest of the night and only ran for 24 metres from four carries, but made 32 tackles.
16. COREY HORSBURGH – 7
Came into the starting side at lock for Corey Harawira-Naera and finished with 52 metres from seven carries. Nobody made more than his 46 tackles, missing just one.
13. COREY HARAWIRA-NAERA – 5
Came on to replace Elliott Whitehead (HIA) but his night ended in the 16th minute after getting his head in the wrong spot trying to tackle Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Bunker ruled it a category one.
14. TOM STARLING – 5.5
Some sharp runs out of dummy-half but couldn’t break the game open, finished with 58 metres from five carries and made 32 tackles. .
15. EMRE GULER – 5
A quiet night with the ball but worked hard in defence making 26 tackles.
17. RYAN SUTTON – 5
Ran for 59 metres from eight runs and made 18 tackles.
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