BAD AND MEAN GREEN MACHINE
The Raiders' defence was superb for the first six rounds, but had an off day in last week's loss to Manly. However their ruthless edge returned against the Panthers as they frustrated their opponents into a number of errors and pushed passes. Midway through the first half the Panthers had around 14 tackles on Canberra's goal-line, most of them against a 12-man Raiders defensive line after fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sin binned for repeat offences. Canberra held them out and soon after Jack Wighton scored to extend the lead to 12-0. It was a huge moment in the context of the match. "I think that's what won us the game," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said. The only downside for Canberra was Englishman John Bateman didn't return after copping a head knock and went to hospital for scans on a possible eye socket fracture.
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COSTLY LOSS FOR PANTHERS
The Panthers have now slumped to 2-6, but injuries to key players only compounded the loss. Isaah Yeo left the field with a suspected dislocated shoulder in the first half, and after the break man mountain Viliame Kikau (ankle), and winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (ribs) followed suit. The casualties are an awful blow for Penrith, who will have to rely on their depth to try and dig themselves out of an early season hole. Martin will no doubt find himself playing more game time, and may earn the first start of his career against Wests Tigers on Friday.
WIGHTON STARS AGAIN
Wighton is looking more and more at home at five eighth as each week passes. After scoring two tries against the Sea Eagles last weekend the Orange product was in everything, scoring a try and pulling off a number of key tackles near his own goal-line. His kicking game, particularly attacking kicks, has also vastly improved over the last few weeks as he looks to make the move from fullback a permanent one.
GROUCHY MALONEY
The frustration of Penrith's poor start to the year is clearly starting to get to Panthers five-eighth James Maloney. On a number of occasions the incumbent Blues no.6 got involved in verbal slanging matches with Raiders players as Penrith failed to finish off a number of golden scoring chances, particularly in the first half. A number of kicks just trickled over the in-goal line or a Panther would make an error camped on the Raiders goal-line to let them off the hook. The pressure on Maloney to keep his NSW jersey will only grow as South Sydney's Cody Walker and Rooster Luke Keary continue to star.
COSTLY DROP FOR MARTIN
Temora product Liam Martin arrived in Wagga searching for his first win in the NRL. He will have to wait a little longer, and will be kicking himself at dropping a Nathan Cleary kick over the try-line which would have got Penrith to within two points of Canberra with 25 minutes left. After the Raiders received a penalty, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad score to restore Canberra's half-time buffer of 14 points.
