2023 Highs and Lows: Best NRL moment

[greeneyed]

2023 Highs and Lows: Best NRL moment

Every year, the readers of The Greenhouse vote on the highs and lows of the season just past. The Players of the Year are determined by the Fans' Choice voting, but all the other categories are determined by fan polls.

In this poll we are voting for the Canberra Raiders' best NRL moment of the year. If there is a moment not nominated in the poll, please post your selection. You have one vote in this poll.

The nominations are:

Beating the Broncos at Lang Park Is there anything better than beating the Broncos at Lang Park? The Raiders lost to the Penrith Panthers on home turf by 41 points in the previous weekend. They headed to Lang Park on Easter Saturday to face a Brisbane Broncos outfit that was on a five game winning streak. Undefeated in season 2023. The Raiders had not beaten the Broncos at Lang Park since 2010. Canberra had Joe Tapine, Jack Wighton, Xavier Savage, Nick Cotric, Danny Levi, Matt Frawley and Ata Mariota on the sidelines. But against all odds, the Raiders bounced back to post an extraordinary, 20-14 victory.



Golden point win over Dolphins It was a game played in emotional circumstances, in the aftermath of the decision of Raiders five eighth Jack Wighton to depart the club. It was a game that the Raiders had won, two or three times, before they finally prevailed in golden point, 31-30. The match was the old cliched rollercoaster.



#Croker300 Third minute It was emotional. A full stadium. A special Viking clap for the entrance of Canberra Raiders captain, Jarrod Croker. In the third minute, the crowd rose as one and applauded, to honour the man in the No. 3 jersey. The night was the culmination of a week of well-deserved tributes for the boy from Goulburn, just the second Raider to reach the milestone of 300 NRL games. Just the 18th man to do it at one club.

After the match he was presented with the game ball and he struggled to speak. He was overcome with emotion... as he had been when waiting in the tunnel for the Viking Clap to reach its crescendo. There were many in the crowd with a tear in their eye too, as he made his speech.

"I'm probably more proud now to be a Raider than ever I have been," Croker said later.

And the green faithful have probably never been as proud of the captain as they were that night. Sadly, the result in the match was not what Raiders fans wanted.





Raiders force golden point in Auckland The Canberra Raiders produced a minor miracle to force golden point against the Warriors in Auckland tonight - scoring two tries inside the final two minutes of regulation time. A terrific try to Jack Wighton with eight seconds left - set up by a great break down the touchline and pass back inside from Albert Hopoate - tied the game at 20-all. That sure was a moment. Sadly, Jarrod Croker just couldn't get the conversion after the siren. And a Shaun Johnson golden point field goal broke green hearts.



Jordan Rapana scores 100th try in green Only four Raiders have scored 100 tries for the club. In the Round 27 clash with the Sharks, Jordan Rapana crossed for his 100th - joining Jarrod Croker (136), Jason Croker (123) and Brett Mullins (111) in the 100 club.



Joe Tapine wins second Meninga Medal in a row Joe Tapine won the Meninga Medal by the length of the straight last year. It was a lot tighter in 2024, but he deservedly finished in front, taking his second title as Canberra Raiders Player of the Year.



Starling try forces extra time in epic Newcastle finals clash The Raiders were courageous and gallant. The effort was outstanding, one of the best performances of the year. The result was heart-breaking. The two teams had never met in a finals game, but it became an instant classic. With just under 15 minutes remaining, the Knights led by 12. It looked like the match was gone for the Raiders. But Canberra steadied and again put the Knights under pressure. They regathered a short kick off - and Matt Frawley ended the set with the easiest of tries. A show and go. And with 90 seconds left, offloads from Joe Tapine and Elliott Whitehead saw Tom Starling cross. He showed his elation by kissing the emblem and showing it to his old home crowd. The Fogarty goal forced it into extra time. Sadly, an off side penalty decided the outcome in favour of Newcastle.



All the results: Click here

Vote in all the polls:

NRL Rookie of the Year
NRLW Rookie of the Year
Best NRL win
Worst NRL loss
Best NRLW win
Worst NRLW loss

[The Nickman]

When the season ended.

[The Nickman]

Nah, in all honesty I have to say my favourite moment all season was the Knights final when we suddenly decided to throw the ball around for the first time all year.

We almost won and I couldn't help thinking "Where was this all year?"

We probably win that game too if it weren't for Jack Wighton and his meddling bite.

[greeneyed]

We shall be closing this poll on Monday. So if you haven't voted, you know what to do.

[-TW-]

When the season ended.

X2, what a chore

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

[Billy Walker]

Surely #300? Ricky acknowledged somethings are bigger than winning. The #Croker 300 third minute got my vote!

[greeneyed]

Poll declared. All the results so far: https://thegh.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35820