Josh Papali'i's final home game concluded in disappointment as Brisbane rallied in the second half to defeat an emotional Canberra 34-30.
With this being the Raiders' last home match, Papali'i announced his retirement at season's end, concluding a brilliant career at one club, during which he reached the 2019 NRL grand final and became Canberra's all-time leader in appearances with 341 games.
Despite the Raiders renaming GIO Stadium as "Papa's House" for Friday's match, they only managed an 18-16 lead at halftime, following two tries from Brisbane during a period when Broncos captain Pat Carrigan was in the sin bin.
Canberra looked positioned to win when hooker Owen Pattie and second-rower Zac Hosking scored, but two tries within three minutes brought the visitors back into contention.
Hayze Perham, filling in for Reece Walsh, powered through for the winning try in the 73rd minute. Key defensive stops by Josiah Karapani and Xavier Willison allowed Brisbane to secure the win.
This performance marked a standout for Perham, who contributed with a critical try assist to Grant Anderson earlier and successfully converted five out of six attempts.
With this win, Brisbane (7-15) avoided finishing last in the competition, easing concerns about the future of coach Michael Maguire amid the team's struggles following last year's premiership victory.
"We've been through a bit of a period where they've had to really stick together," Maguire said regarding his players. "To see the boys defend through a long period in that second half, that shows the team I know I've got."
The Raiders (10-13) aimed for some revenge after Brisbane's narrow 29-28 victory in last year's finals, leaving the home crowd disheartened once more despite Pattie's remarkable efforts, which included one try, a try assist, a 40/20, and 37 tackles.
Canberra will be concerned about Hosking's availability after he left the game holding his hamstring.
"I know how much effort they put into wanting to do it for Josh, but it's disappointing," said coach Ricky Stuart. "Not to dampen the mood, but that's not good enough. When you get to that lead, we should be winning those games."
Even after receiving an emotional guard of honour, Papali'i saw Brisbane strike first, as hooker Billy Walters scored early on.
The Raiders answered through fullback Kaeo Weekes and forward Ata Mariota, but things turned again when Carrigan was sin-binned for a high tackle on Corey Horsburgh.
Despite being a man down, Brisbane thrived, with struggling five-eighth Ezra Mam and winger Anderson both scoring to claim the lead.
Weekes added his second right before halftime, but Pattie and Hosking pulled Canberra ahead until a final surge from representative prop Payne Haas, Anderson, and Perham clinched the victory for Brisbane.