Kaeo Weekes' Try-of-the-Year Contender Seals Raiders' Thrilling NRL Win Over Rabbitohs
In a heart-stopping NRL clash at Optus Stadium in Perth, the Canberra Raiders narrowly defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 36-34, thanks in large part to a spectacular solo try from Kaeo Weekes that is already being hailed as a try-of-the-year contender. The match was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with the Raiders building a commanding lead only to see the Rabbitohs mount a fierce comeback that fell just short in the dying seconds.
First Half Dominance Sets the Stage
The Raiders started strongly, with Simi Sasagi and Hudson Young combining brilliantly to tear through the Rabbitohs' defense. Canberra opened the scoring in the 20th minute when hooker Tom Starling dribbled a kick through Latrell Mitchell's legs, allowing Young to collect and touch down. This set the tone for a dominant first half, as the Raiders scored three tries in the final 12 minutes before halftime to establish a commanding 24-4 lead.
Sasagi was instrumental in this surge, showcasing his playmaking skills. He threw a dummy pass to slide through two opponents and set up Weekes for an easy try, then later initiated a beautiful sequence from inside his own 22m. After being ankle-tapped, Sasagi quickly rolled up, passed, received the ball back, and offloaded to Young for another score. Meanwhile, Rabbitohs player Savelio Tamale struggled with handling errors, dropping two high balls that put his team under pressure, though he redeemed himself with a 50m sprint try after a Mitchell mistake.
Weekes' Moment of Magic
With the Raiders riding a four-match losing streak and their finals hopes looking shaky, they appeared vulnerable when the Rabbitohs roared back into the contest. South Sydney scored three tries in just nine minutes early in the second half, reducing the margin to only two points with 23 minutes remaining. However, Weekes stepped up to deliver a moment of pure brilliance that will dominate highlight reels for years to come.
Receiving the ball on his own try-line, Weekes broke through two tacklers within his own 10m, shook off another defender, and threw a dummy to fool an opponent. Still 70m from scoring, he slipped through a gap and outsprinted two chasers to touch down for a stunning solo try. This effort not only showcased his speed and agility but also provided a crucial boost for Canberra, helping them regain momentum.
Late Drama and Narrow Escape
The match continued to seesaw, with Canberra extending their lead to 36-22 in the 72nd minute after a try from Ethan Strange. Yet, the Rabbitohs refused to give up, scoring tries through Alex Johnston and Jack Wighton to bring the margin back to two points. In a dramatic finale, with just 13 seconds remaining, Latrell Mitchell launched a bomb into the corner. Johnston rose highest to contest it but lost control of the ball as he spun through the air, landing just one metre short of the try-line, sealing the Raiders' victory.
This loss drops the Rabbitohs to a 3-2 record for the season, and they will be concerned about the fitness of fullback Jye Gray, who injured the AC joint in his left shoulder early in the match after being crunched to the turf by two tacklers. Despite the defeat, their second-half resurgence demonstrated resilience, ensuring the match went down to the wire and provided fans with an unforgettable spectacle.
The Raiders' win, fueled by Weekes' heroics and key contributions from players like Sasagi and Young, keeps their finals hopes alive and highlights the unpredictable nature of the NRL season. This thrilling encounter in Perth will be remembered as a classic, with individual brilliance and team determination on full display.
