Albo in Lodge but his Bunnies in dire straits

IT’S BEEN a weekend of upheaval in the nation’s capital and the makeovers extended on to the footy field on Sunday when Canberra Raiders completed their transformation from battlers to challengers.

With their 32-12 defeat of a disappointing South Sydney in Dubbo, the Raiders ambushed their second top-eight side in as many weeks and sealed their first three-game winning streak of the year. They’re now out of the top eight on points differential only.

Jack Wighton put forward his case for Origin selection on his return from suspension, while milestone man Josh Papalii scored a try in his 250th game to give Anthony Albanese some competition for the mantle of Canberra’s top dog.

For Albanese’s beloved Rabbitohs, Sunday’s loss could prove the difference between playing finals footy and watching it on the TV. Souths still have matches against Penrith, Storm, Cowboys, Roosters, Sharks and Eels (twice) awaiting them so they can’t afford to be losing to bottom eight sides, especially not as emphatically as they did on Sunday.

The Raiders led 20-0 at halftime.

A suspected hamstring injury to fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was the only sour note for the Raiders.