LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a nail-biting clash at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday night, the Canberra Raiders fell just short in their battle against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, going down 22-18.
The match marked a significant milestone for Josh Papalii, who was celebrating his 300th game for the Raiders.
It was a special occasion for the rugged forward, who has been a stalwart of the team for many years.
The Bulldogs got off to a flying start, with captain Stephen Crichton notching the first try of the match in the 16th minute to give his team a 4-0 lead.
But the Raiders quickly hit back, with Tom Starling delivering a slick pass to Trey Mooney, who powered through the defense to score and put the Raiders ahead 6-4.
A penalty goal to the Bulldogs later in the first half leveled the scores at 6-all, setting the stage for a tense and closely-contested battle.
As the teams headed into the halftime break, the Raiders regrouped in the sheds, determined to come out firing in the second half and turn the tide in their favor.
But despite their best efforts, the Bulldogs managed to hold on to their lead and secure the victory.