Raiders ready to bust grand final drought

CANBERRA are into their first NRL grand final in 25 years after beating South Sydney 16-10, despite being a man down for the final 10 minutes.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sinbinned on Friday night for a professional foul in the 70th minute, but the Raiders rallied before Josh Papalii burst through to score the match-winning try in front of a record crowd at GIO Stadium.

Coach Ricky Stuart has taken Canberra to their first grand final since helping the Green Machine to their last premiership as a player in 1994. The Raiders’ season has been defined by defence and, for their biggest home crowd in club history, they again stood strong.

Three times in the first half, the Rabbitohs looked sure to score and were denied. The Canberra wall could not be penetrated.

Canberra co-captain Josh Hodgson orchestrated the opening try from start to finish. Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said they were prepared for one-on-one strips but they could not stop Hodgson pick-pocketing Ethan Lowe. A few plays later, Hodgson grubbered through and, when Corey Allan tried to escape the ingoal, Hodgson made the tackle which forced the ball free and Jarrod Croker pounced to score.

Croker converted but, five minutes later, he lined up a penalty almost in front and 30m out but hooked it wide to keep the score 6-0.

The half ended with the crowd of 26,567 in raptures as Jack Wighton raced 50m downfield but was pulled down by Gagai. But the Raiders’ faithful did not have to wait long in the second half to get back on their feet for Wighton after the five-eighth scored a brilliant try.

The Raiders finally managed to get some ball and were on the attack in the 70th minute when Reynolds intercepted and ran 60m before Nicoll-Klokstad chased him down, but was binned for holding on too long.

Doueihi knocked on in the 74th minute before Papalii powered his way over from 10 metres out to send the crowd wild.

Graham scored a consolation try in the final minute.

The Raiders will face Melbourne or the Sydney Roosters in the grand final. AAP