2023 Canberra Raiders Junior Representatives

[The Greenhouse]

Canberra Raiders kick off. We are underway in Tarsha Gale Cup.

[The Greenhouse]

5th min TRY KNIGHTS out wide to centre Charlotte Barwick. Nice shift to the left, good passing and they created an overlap. Barwick can't convert from out wide.

Knights 4-0

[The Greenhouse]

17th min TRY KNIGHTS to fullback Lily White. Big break down the middle from five eighth Evie Jones, brought down just short of the try line. But they shift left and the Raiders could not hold on. The Knights just looking too strong right now. Barwick converts.

Knights 10-0

[The Greenhouse]

30th min Raiders held up over the line. Looked like it had grazed the grass. It was the last play of the half, hooter sounds.

HALF TIME

Newcastle Knights 10
Canberra Raiders 0

[The Greenhouse]

33rd min TRY RAIDERS to prop Beth Loco right beside the posts. She's produced some powerful runs and that's good reward. Converted Mya McGlynn.

Knights 10-6

[RedRaider]

FULL TIME

Canterbury Bulldogs 25
Canberra Raiders 18

And that's the season for the Canberra Raiders Harold Matthews team. Bad luck, it's been a good season for the team.

Don't be too disappointed Harold Matts Raiders. You have been a strong side all year and there will be plenty progress to higher grades. It has been great to watch you develop your skills.

[The Greenhouse]

38th min TRY KNIGHTS to prop Cheyenne Baker right near the posts. Not enough urgency in the goal line defence. The Knights were handed the red zone chance after a fumbled kick defusal, and they conceded a penalty for off side on top of that. Converted Barwick. That quickly snuffs out any momentum for Canberra.

Knights 16-6

[The Greenhouse]

Sadly, the NSWRL TV live stream has been lost. Still Knights in front 16-6, with 10 minutes to go.

[The Greenhouse]

FULL TIME

Newcastle Knights 16
Canberra Raiders 6

[greeneyed]

2023 Finals Week 2: Junior Representatives



SG Ball

Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels
Saturday 15 April, 5:45pm
Leichhardt Oval
Live stream: NSWRL TV

Canberra Raiders

1. Samuel Gash
2. Lekani Mpaso
3. Jacob Iosefa
4. Siamani Leuluai
5. Ryan Woolley
6. Jalen Afamasaga
7. Keahn Skipps
8. Jake Clydsdale
9. Owen Pattie
20. Elvis Nauer-Wood
11. Joseph Roddy
12. Jaxon Lavender
13. Owen Hromow

14. Ethan Alaia
15. Jack Anderson
16. Jayden Wolfe
18. Tahrell Feaveai

17. Xavier Cacciotti

Parramatta Eels

1. Apa Twidle
2. Devonte Vaivela
3. Richard Penisini
4. Blaize Talagi
5. Mohamed Alameddine
6. Josh Lynn
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Lance Fualema
9. Matt Arthur
10. Saxon Pryke
11. Dom De Stradis
12. William Lewis
13. Charlie Guymer (c)

14. Sebastian Piukala
15. Sam Tuivaiti
16. Pat Spence
17. Kobi Hurford

18. Sam Squire

AT A GLANCE: The Canberra Raiders finished as SG Ball minor premiers, directly qualifying them for Week 2 of the finals. They now meet the Parramatta Eels, the winners of Saturday's elimination final against the Western Suburbs Magpies. It was a tight contest, with the Eels scoring two late tries to secure the 18-10 victory. The Magpies led 4-0 at half time, but the Eels fought back in the second half. Eels fullback Te Hurinui Twidle was the most dangerous player in attack, bagging a double.

The Raiders and Eels met earlier this year at Kippax, a game the Green Machine won convincingly. It was a second half five try scoring blitz for Canberra. Raiders fullback Chevy Stewart scored a hat trick, while Jacob Iosefa got a double. It is one of two losses the Eels have suffered this year. They also lost to the Panthers, 42-14, at Cabramatta in Round 8.

Canberra is the No. 1 attacking and defensive team in the competition - and have a clear advantage over the Eels in both departments. The Raiders have had two weeks off, so they will have had time to get over any niggling injuries in the squad. Hopefully, the break does not interrupt the team's momentum. It should be a good contest, but the Raiders should go into the match with confidence. There are good reasons why the Raiders finished as minor premiers. The winner will advance to the Grand Final against either the Panthers or the Knights.

Team news: Siamani Leuluai returns at centre, with Atini Tuialii dropping out of the squad. Elvis Nauer-Wood is also back at starting prop. Owen Hromow moves back to his usual position at lock, with Jack Anderson dropping to the bench. Xavier Cacciotti will be 18th man.

2023 season record: Raiders: 8 and 1 (1st, +196)
Eels: 7 and 2 (4th, +62)
Form: Raiders: WWWLW
Eels: WWLWW
Attack: Raiders 36, Eels 29 points scored per game
Defence: Raiders 14, Eels 22 points conceded per game
Recent meetings: 2023 Round 5 Raiders 42 defeated Eels 18 at Kippax
2022 Round 9 Raiders 32 defeated Eels 26 at Kellyville Park
2021 Round 6 Eels 47 defeated Raiders 24 at Seiffert Oval
2020 Round 1 Raiders 30 defeated Eels 16 at Kippax
2017 Round 4 Eels 48 defeated Raiders 8 at Cabramatta Stadium

Harold Matthews

The 2023 season is over for the Canberra Raiders Harold Matthews team. They were eliminated by the Canterbury Bulldogs in Week 1 of the finals - with the western Sydney outfit running out 25-18 winners at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday.

The Bulldogs started in dominant fashion, going to a 12-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes - scoring three, unconverted tries. But the Raiders struck back, just before half time. Cooper Johnston took an intercept near half way and made a big incursion down the eastern touchline. He was backed up by Braydan Darmody with a good dummy half run - and one play later, the five eighth scored from close range. Darmody converted his own try - and the Raiders trailed by just six at half time.



A dropped bomb from the Bulldogs one minute into the second half gave the Raiders a scrum feed on the edge of the red zone - and fullback James Croker took advantage, scoring out wide. Darmody's conversion leveled the match at 12-12. But the Bulldogs edged ahead again in the 38th minute, when winger Ratu Rinakama chased a bomb, leaped high and came up with the ball - scoring an extraordinary try under the posts.

The Raiders refused to go away. Canterbury failed to defuse a kick to their goal line - providing a red zone chance to the Green Machine. Hooker Mitchell Brophy was able to dive over from dummy half, on just the second play. 18 all with the conversion, with 15 minutes remaining. Bulldogs prop Itula Seve scored the decisive try under the posts in the 50th minute, a simple crash ball play. A field goal to halfback and captain, Mitchell Woods with three minutes left, sealed the win for the Dogs.

The Raiders have had an unexpectedly good season, after so many of their 2022 squad progressed to SG Ball this year. It's a season of which the team and Rourke O'Sullivan can justly be very proud.

Tarsha Gale

It was the end of the road in 2023 for the Canberra Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup team on Saturday - after they fell to the Newcastle Knights, 16-6, at Campbelltown Stadium.

The Knights were the better team in the first half, going to the break with a 10-0 lead. Newcastle centre Charlotte Barwick crossed out wide in the fifth minute, after some good passing created an overlap. A break down the middle from Knights five eighth Evie Jones in the 17th minute created Newcastle's second try. She was brought down just short of the line, but fullback Lily White took advantage of the Raiders' broken line soon after.



Canberra did have some opportunities in the first thirty - and were held up over the line right on half time. But they were able to cross just three minutes into the second half. A powerful run from prop Beth Loco saw her crash over near the posts. The Raiders seemed to be building some momentum after that four pointer, but it was quickly snuffed out when Knights prop Cheyenne Baker crossed near the posts in the 38th minute. Neither team could add to their points tally in the grinding final 20 minutes.

This year, the Raiders qualified for their first finals series since the format of the Tarsha Gale Cup was switched to 13 a side football. It's an important achievement, with the Raiders about to enter the NRLW competition this year. The young women in the team can now aspire to play in green at the top level. They can certainly hold their heads high after the season they've had.

[Bay53]

We are playing Parra not Newcastle. 5.45pm Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.

Big test for the boys. Two weeks off is probably not ideal, having to play away despite finishing on top and probably for many their first game under lights.

[RedRaider]

Yes, Elvis is back.

[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders SG Ball coach Peter Marrapodi proud of the effort, as team prepares for Grand Final qualifier

The SG Ball Raiders side will be going into their first finals game on Saturday against the Parramatta Eels at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney. The Raiders have had a two-week break going into the final after finishing first on the ladder, which coach Peter Marrapodi said was good for the team.

“Normally you wouldn’t like two weeks off before a prelim final, but it is almost what we needed,” Marrapodi said. “We kind of limped into the finals rather than charged into the finals so it gives us a chance to get a couple of players back from injury as well.”

Read more: https://www.raiders.com.au/news/2023/04 ... -week-two/

[The Greenhouse]

Welcome to our coverage of this evening's SG Ball Grand Final qualifier between the Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels. The winner of this match will face the Newcastle Knights, who defeated the Penrith Panthers, 10-8 earlier today.

There is a free live stream of this game on NSWRL TV via the NSWRL Facebook page. Kick off is at 5:45pm. We'll have live scores right here. Please join in with your own commentary. https://www.facebook.com/NSWRL/videos/766169541744177/

Chevy Stewart is a big late inclusion for the Green Machine, along with Niu Mariota! Here are the final team line ups.

Canberra Raiders

21. Chevy Stewart
1. Samuel Gash
3. Jacob Iosefa
4. Siamani Leuluai
5. Ryan Woolley
6. Jalen Afamasaga
7. Keahn Skipps
8. Jake Clydsdale
9. Owen Pattie
20. Elvis Nauer-Wood
11. Joseph Roddy
12. Jaxon Lavender
13. Owen Hromow

10. Niu Mariota
14. Ethan Alaia
15. Jack Anderson
18. Tahrell Feaveai

2. Lekani Mpaso

Parramatta Eels

1. Apa Twidle
2. Devonte Vaivela
3. Richard Penisini
4. Blaize Talagi
5. Mohamed Alameddine
6. Josh Lynn
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Lance Fualema
9. Matt Arthur
15. Sam Tuivaiti
11. Dom De Stradis
13. Charlie Guymer (c)
10. Saxon Pryke

12. William Lewis
14. Sebastian Piukala
16. Pat Spence
18. Sam Squire

17. Kobi Hurford

[The Greenhouse]

The Canberra Raiders are first out onto the field at Leichhardt. Now here come the Eels. The Raiders will kick off through Chevy Stewart. Here we go!

[The Greenhouse]

2nd min PENALTY EELS for a ruck infringement. They attack from just over half way.

[The Greenhouse]

3rd min ERROR EELS Dropped ball just 10 metres out. The Eels have started with plenty of intent in attack. Great long kick now from Owen Pattie.

[The Greenhouse]

5th min PENALTY EELS Elvis Nauer-Wood was offside at the ruck and they run deliberately at him.

[The Greenhouse]

6th min Stewart saves a try, kicking out the ball over the sideline. Turnover for the Eels 10 metres out.

ERROR EELS in the red zone. Much needed.

[The Greenhouse]

8th min PENALTY EELS High tackle ruled on Lavender and he's on report. Nothing in it.

[The Greenhouse]

9th min ERROR EELS They throw it out over the sideline in the red zone again. Eels on fire, all the possession and territory. Ruled to be touched by Canberra, so the Eels get six more.

[The Greenhouse]

11th min TRY EELS to hooker Matthew Arthur. The Raiders look a bit flat, the Eels on fire. No conversion Ethan Sanders.

Eels 6-0

[The Greenhouse]

15th min ERROR EELS They knock on the bomb, 10 metres from the Raiders' goal line. Canberra struggling for territory.

[The Greenhouse]

18th min PENALTY RAIDERS The Canberra kicker hit late, the Raiders get the ball in the red zone for the first time.

[The Greenhouse]

19th min Raiders held up over the line. Now another penalty to Canberra, 10 metres out from the line.

ERROR RAIDERS on just the second tackle.

[The Greenhouse]

21st min ERROR EELS on their own 40 metre line. The big prop can't take the low pass.

[The Greenhouse]

22nd min ERROR RAIDERS Looked like a strip from Eels centre Talagi, but not ruled that way. The Raider look like a team that hasn't played for two weeks.

[The Greenhouse]

23rd min TRY EELS to Devonte Vaivela. They've been attacking the Raiders' left edge to good effect, the Canberra defence looked disorganised on the last play. Ethan Sanders converts.

Eels 10-0

[The Greenhouse]

26th min PENALTY RAIDERS for a ruck infringement. The Raiders attack from 40 metes out. Some good defence Feaveai in the previous set.

[The Greenhouse]

28th min Owen Pattie held up over the line. They've had one set re-start in the red zone.

PENALTY EELS The Raiders' kick rebounds and Canberra players regather and ruled off side. A few opportunities lost.

[The Greenhouse]

30th min ERROR RAIDERS They've spilled the ball inside their own red zone. A bit of a dust up in the scrum.

TRY EELS to fullback Twidle. They score off the scrum play, switched the focus of attack to the blind side and Canberra can't stop them. They really look like a team that has lost the momentum from a two week break. Ethan Sanders misses the conversion from out wide.

Eels 14-0

[RedRaider]

Raiders handling has been a strength all year but not tonight. Now a melee. Raiders get the penalty right on the right sideline and right on half time. 28meters out and it is left of the upright. Eels lead 14 nil.

[The Greenhouse]

35th min The Eels have knocked on and there's a big dust up. There is no time left. Long discussion among the officals. Owen Pattie called out for a chat. We can't hear what's being said, but the Raiders have been warned. Now the Eels captain Guymer is put on report. The Raiders can only go for penalty goal... from the sideline and almost 30 metres out.

Sam Gash misses the goal.

HALF TIME

Parramatta Eels 14
Canberra Raiders 0

[Colk]

Just a quick observation: why do our junior sides (as a whole) generally look/seem smaller than the opposition?

The SG Ball side which won a years ago with Trey Money and the like were probably an exception but otherwise, even going back to the Toyota Cup we seem to have smaller than average junior teams.

Maybe that’s the reason why we don’t seem to get as many come or develop through the grades as other clubs?

[The Greenhouse]

Eels kick off to start the second half at Leichhardt Oval.