The final round of NRL regular-season action continued with another must-see match between two sides gunning to secure a spot in the end-of-year finals series. It's going to be a close call, too, with St. George Illawarra Dragons and Canberra Raiders sitting 10th and 11th on the ladder going into Round 27.
Both sides have 28 points after 23 matches, and are almost neck-and-neck when it comes to points difference too, with the Dragons on –124 and the Raiders on –129 with both sides knowing that a win will take them to eighth in the table and in pole position to keep their seasons going for at least another week.
As the scores sat 20-24, Horsburgh found himself with the ball only 10 metres from the line. In a play that stunned the Dragons, the back rower put in a grubber.
Luck was on his side, with the ball bobbling into ‘Big Red’s’ hands as he crashed over, giving Kaeo Weekes a kick to take the lead which he slotted.
The loss comes after the Red V went down to the Eels a week earlier, conceding six tries in the first half before losing 44-40 in a game that put a dagger in their chances of making the top eight.
The clash began with three Dragons tries inside 12 minutes, with Tom Eisenhuth in the right place at the right time to score after an impressive Zac Lomax leap.
The next came through Jacob Liddle, who carried several defenders for five metres before grounding the ball to the right of the posts.
To end their early barrage, Jaydn Su’A was able to beat Hudson Young to a bobbling Ben Hunt grubber, grounding the ball as his opponent reached to stop him.
Danny Levi stemmed the flow of points for the Raiders, but four-game rookie Lyhkan King-Togia then got the first try of his NRL try.
He was able to get to the ball only moments before it crossed the deal ball line, finishing off Tyrell Sloan’s kick after getting to a Liddle grubber first.
Xavier Savage scored in the corner to close out the half for the Raiders, with the score sitting at 24-10 at the break.
To start the second period, it was all one way traffic, with the Raiders scoring a pair of tries. The first came from Albert Hopoate who found space outside his opposite man Lomax.
The next saw Young slice through a gaping hole, steaming on to a smart Jamal Fogarty pass before beating Sloan in a showcase of speed.
From there it was a seesawing clash, which led to Horsburgh’s matchwinning try, keeping the Raiders ever-so-slim finals hopes alive.
“Yeah it was nice to get three in a row there. Bit lucky with the kick. Shanked it and it landed in my hands, so yeah, the stars aligned I guess,” he told Fox League’s Lara Pitt post-game.
Raiders on the Move
Three Raiders’ favourites have played their last game for the club, with suspended skipper Elliott Whitehead and Nick Cotric, who has been playing NSW Cup, both off to the south of France and the Catalans Dragons, while the injured Jordan Rapana is also headed to the Super League, penning a two-year deal with Hull FC.
Corey Horsburgh is another who has likely played his last match for the Green Machine after receiving permission to find a new home.
Speaking after scoring the matchwinning try, Horsburgh admitted his season has been a “tough old year”.
“Started with the suspension into an injury into suspension, so it’s been a pretty crap year for me but I’m glad I finished strong,” he said.
“Got to play footy with my mates. Hopefully the stars align with my mates and we get a draw tomorrow.
“I think we’re going somewhere tomorrow and whatever happens happens.
“We’ll all be there together and if we get lucky, we get lucky but if not I think we’ll celebrate the year and hopefully we can go into next year and have a better one.
Peter Hola, James Schiller and Zac Woolford remain unsigned.
Arriving in the nation’s capital are Ethan Sanders (Eels), Matty Nicholson (Warrington), Myles Martin (Knights) and Tamale.
Lomax’s Departure
After making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2018, Zac Lomax has likely made his 114th and last appearance for the Dragons ahead of a well documented move to the Eels in 2025.
Undoubtedly the Dragons’ best in 2024, Lomax was in everything again today, giving the Raiders nightmares in the air, while making several desperate errors as he tried to inspire his team that at times looked like they were already on their off-season holiday.
Another headed out of Kogarah is today’s debutant Savelio Tamale, who is off to the Raiders.
Blake Lawrie and Jack Bird, who was a late withdrawal from today’s match, are under contract but said to be on the move, while Tom Eisenhuth, Max Feagai, Jesse Marschke, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Alec Tuitavake remain uncontracted.
The Dragons will no doubt be more active in the player market in coming months – they have been linked to a host of front rowers - but have already secured two experienced stars in Rabbitohs rake Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes from the Cowboys.
Liddle’s Stellar Display
Liddle, after missing last week’s game to be with wife Caitlin for the birth of their daughter Kaia, showed fatherhood suited him well with perhaps his best performance in a Dragons’ jersey.
The 27-year-old was outstanding running from dummy half, making three line breaks, 11 tackle busts and scampering for 162 metres, while scoring a determined individual try.
He even spent time in the middle of the field during the second half with Connor Muhleisen deputising at hooker.
Rugby league legend Corey Parker heaped praise on the gun hooker, with Damien Cook arriving next season, sparking a selection shootout.
“What a start to the game Jacob Liddle has had… the creativity,” Parker said.
“I think it’s been his finest half of football this year with Damien Cook coming to the club next year.”
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders: Match Summary
The Raiders and Dragons faced off in Round 27 of the NRL, with the Raiders coming out on top with a thrilling 26-24 victory. The Dragons started the match strongly, scoring three tries within the first 12 minutes. The Raiders fought back in the second half, with a last-minute try from Corey Horsburgh sealing the victory. This win keeps the Raiders' slim finals hopes alive, while the Dragons' season is likely over.
The game was a good contest between two evenly matched sides. The Dragons showed some great attacking play in the first half, but they were unable to maintain that momentum in the second half. The Raiders, on the other hand, were able to grind out the win, which is a testament to their determination and resilience. The game also marked the end of Zac Lomax's time with the Dragons, as he is set to move to the Eels for the 2025 season. The Dragons will need to find a way to replace his talent, but they have already secured the services of Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes for next year. Overall, the game was a great advertisement for the NRL. The passion, excitement and skill on display were a credit to the players and coaches. The Raiders will be hoping to carry this momentum into the final round of the season, while the Dragons will be looking to finish the year on a high.
