Hardened Raiders please irate Ricky

THEY showed backbone, bravery and fortitude.

This was different to the “soft” side which showed up at Brookvale just six days ago.

Less than a week after Raiders coach Ricky Stuart described his side’s effort against Manly as “crap and soft”, Canberra produced a gallant performance to record their first win of the season last night.

At GIO Stadium, a wounded and depleted Raiders side demolished Canterbury 26-10.

It was a much-needed win after four straight defeats to start the season.

And Canberra did it through courage and pluck, playing the final 25 minutes with just 14 men after three of their stars came from the field injured.

Right on full-time, Canterbury skipper Josh Jackson was placed on report for a late and high hit on Raiders five-eighth Aidan Sezer, who had kicked in general play.

Sezer was taken from the field so Canberra actually finished the game with 13 men.

It was clear Canberra players were still stinging after Stuart said last week: “Soft. Soft football, soft pieces of play, soft choices.”