LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In classic Rugby League fashion, Wests Tigers have notched up a second consecutive victory, overpowering the Raiders with a thrilling 48-24 win in Round 16 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The momentum shifted in Wests Tigers' favor early on when Brent Naden's intercept set up a dazzling try by Lachlan Galvin, marking the 18-year-old's maiden NRL try.
NRL newcomer Luke Laulilii then made a spectacular debut, darting over from dummy half to notch his first career try, with Api Koroisau's successful conversion extending the home side's lead to 12 points.
Although Api Koroisau seemed to add to Wests Tigers' advantage, a sharp-eyed Bunker review detected a crucial knock-on from Aidan Sezer in the build-up to the play.
Undeterred, Adam Doueihi and Sione Fainu both came agonizingly close to scoring, but it was Fainu who finally broke through the Canberra defense in the 34th minute, securing his inaugural NRL try and rewarding his relentless efforts off the bench.
With a comfortable 18-2 lead as halftime approached, Wests Tigers wasted no time in the second half, swiftly capitalizing on the kick-off with a seamless attacking move down the left flank that culminated in Galvin securing his second try of the match.