The Canberra Raiders secured a vital 24-16 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons in a match marked by controversial moments and emotional highlights. Xavier Savage scored two tries, earning praise from teammate Hudson Young, who said, "[Savage] is a freaky player and you get that off the back of great defence."
Ricky Stuart's 'Brutal Call' and Emotional Gesture
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was lauded for a "brutal call" that shifted momentum, though details of the decision were not specified in the report. Additionally, a touching moment between Stuart and Sav Tamale was captured after the win. Hudson Young reflected on the team's defensive improvement: "We let ourselves down throughout the year letting too many soft tries in, so we talked about showing up for each other."
Match Summary and Key Performances
The Raiders' victory was built on strong defence and opportunistic attacking plays. Savage's double proved decisive, while the Dragons fought hard but fell short. Young also thanked the fans: "The feeling at the club has been really strong and I'd like to thank our fans and members for keeping on turning up for us."
Post-Match Reactions
Young highlighted the team's resolve and the significance of the win. The Raiders now look to build on this performance as the season progresses. The match featured several controversial moments, but the Raiders held firm to claim the points.
