Raiders’ last-minute madness! Storm stuff-ups set up golden point Magic Round finale

It was built up as being one of the games of Magic Round, and it certainly delivered on the promise, with the Raiders winning a golden point thriller over the Storm in a clash marred with plenty of late drama.

Canberra won 20-18 after Jamal Fogarty converted a penalty goal from right in front as time expired in the first golden point period. The win moves the Raiders to second on the NRL ladder.

The penalty was awarded when Storm lock Trent Loiero was deemed to have collected Hudson Young high in a decision that will spark plenty of discussion in the coming days.

“I’ve got to say that’s pretty harsh. What’s he meant to do there,” Kevin Walters said in commentary.

MATCH CENTRE: Raiders v Storm, scores, stats, blog

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of Magic Round, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >

It was the second penalty the Raiders received in a minute. With the Storm metres out from Canberra’s line and lining up for a field goal, Stefano Utoikamanu was penalised for elbowing Tom Starling in a tackle. That started a fracas which led to Utoikamanu and Josh Papalii going to the sin bin.

Loiero had a game to forget, conceding four penalties. Three of those led to 14 points for the Raiders. The second most crucial of those was giving away a penalty in the 75th minute which took a Storm field goal off the board for elbowing Joe Tapine in the head. That would have given Melbourne a seven point lead.

Instead, the Raiders trailed by just six points and in the game. They would score those points and force golden point inside the final two minutes when Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes crossed for a sensational try.

Weekes found open space following a lovely Matty Nicholson offload and instead of trying to take Ryan Papanehuyzen on, Weekes chipped over the Storm No. 1 and chased down the kick to score.

Storm winger Sua Faalogo was outstanding for Melbourne, as was Nick Meaney and Ryan Papenhuyzen, with the latter not doing his outside Origin chances any harm.

In some bad news for the Storm, star half Jahrome Hughes was struggling with a shoulder injury late in the game but he did remain on the field.

Melbourne started fast as they usually do, jumping out to a 14-0 lead after 25 minutes.

One of the Storm’s early tries was a beauty, with Sua Faalogo putting up a pinpoint kick back inside at full speed to an open Papenhuyzen which looked like a sequence you’d see in an AFL game.

“He’s a magician,” Papenhuyzen said at half time in an interview with Jake Duke.

The Raiders showed plenty of resolve to fight back, scoring two tries late in the first half to trim the margin to two at the break.

BIG HITS

FRINGE BLUES PUT HAND UP

Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco are considered the two leading contenders for the NSW No.1 jersey – but a forgotten man could emerge a smokey.

Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen has been in fine form, continuing his run of strong performances against the Raiders on Sunday.

The 26-year-old scored an impressive four-pointer, steaming on to a Sua Fa’alogo kick while also tallying 176 running metres and six tackle busts

Papenhuyzen is one of the NRL’s most dynamic attacking stars, but has consistently been overlooked due to injury issues and a wealth of talent in the Blues’ fullback ranks.

Outside of Edwards and Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic could also play at the back under Laurie Daley, who faces a mammoth decision regarding who wears the No.1.

Elsewhere, Hudson Young has continued his strong form and is a strong contender to return to the NSW side after failing to win a game in all three of his Origin appearances.

The Raiders back rower also plays in a position that boasts a number of high-profile stars, with Liam Martin and Angus Crichton the current incumbents.

Meanwhile, Jacob Preston and Haumole Olakau’atu are also in contention, with Young having the upper hand due to his previous Origin experience.

Young tallied 152 running metres to go with 26 tackles.

MELBOURNE PRODUCT’S AFL-LIKE PLAY SETS UP STUNNING TRY

Victorian rugby league product Sua Fa’alogo has shown that he could have tried his hand at Aussie Rules growing up, with a sensational try assist looking a lot like a play you’d see in the AFL.

Fa’alogo was running at full speed before having the presence of mind to kick it back infield to Papenhuyzen, landing it on his chest.

“Absolutely brilliant rugby league. The kick was absolutely perfect,” Warren Smith said on Fox League.

“I know they play out of Melbourne, but he could have been playing on the wing for Hawthorn, Essendon or for Geelong potentially.

“What a kick back to the middle to the top of the goal square. He hooks it back towards the middle and it was on the chest for Papenhuyzen.”

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW! CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE!