Raiders Beat Panthers 20-16 in Golden Point Match

The Canberra Raiders won a very close game against the Penrith Panthers, with a final score of 20-16. This win came after the game went into golden point.
By Newsroom | Sports, Rugby League |

Canberra Raiders delivered a stunning upset, downing the Penrith Panthers 20-16 in a dramatic golden point encounter. The victory, sealed by a late try, casts a long shadow over Penrith's season, compounding their recent troubles.

Cleary sinks Dolphins in golden point; Raiders pile more misery on the Storm - 1

The Raiders orchestrated a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 16-6 deficit to force the match into golden point. Crucially, a Nathan Cleary field goal attempt from 37 metres out struck the upright in the dying moments of regular time, a miss that proved decisive. This moment allowed the Raiders to launch a decisive attack, culminating in a match-winning try.

Cleary sinks Dolphins in golden point; Raiders pile more misery on the Storm - 2

The Raiders’ scoring sequence saw Ethan Strange level the scores at 16-16 after the Panthers had held a significant advantage. The subsequent golden point period was punctuated by a missed long-range attempt from Cleary, with the ball rebounding to Jed Stuart. From there, the Raiders launched a length-of-the-field play, with Ethan Strange offloading to Kaeo Weekes who scored the decisive try in the 83rd minute.

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Cleary sinks Dolphins in golden point; Raiders pile more misery on the Storm - 3

Dolphins Fall Short in Golden Point Nail-Biter

In a separate, equally tense match, Penrith Panthers narrowly defeated the Dolphins 23-22 in golden point. This match also went down to the wire, with Nathan Cleary slotting an 85th-minute field goal to secure the win for the Panthers.

Cleary sinks Dolphins in golden point; Raiders pile more misery on the Storm - 4

The Dolphins had staged a significant fightback, with tries from Farnworth and Jake Averillo turning the game on its head. Timoko also contributed a try in his first game of the season, while Sanders added crucial penalty goals. Despite their gallant effort, the Dolphins were ultimately undone by Cleary's decisive play.

Raiders Add to Storm's Woes

Separately, the Canberra Raiders have inflicted further misery on the Melbourne Storm, securing a victory that adds to the Storm's recent struggles. Details from this match indicate a strong performance from the Raiders, including tries and penalty goals.

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The Storm had earlier shown flashes of brilliance, with winger Sua Fa'alogo being a standout performer, scoring a try and making multiple line breaks. However, the Raiders, particularly through fullback Kaeo Weekes who scored a solo try, managed to overcome the Storm's efforts. Concerns were also raised regarding foul play, with Papalii placed on report for an incident involving Papenhuyzen.

Contextualising the Tight Finishes

These results highlight a trend of closely contested matches within the league, often decided in the dying moments or in golden point. The Panthers, despite their individual brilliance and coaching acumen from Ivan Cleary, have found themselves on the wrong side of tight finishes. The Raiders, conversely, have demonstrated a resilience and ability to capitalize on critical moments, positioning them strongly in the premiership race. The Dolphins, while competitive, are still seeking to convert strong performances into consistent wins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the Canberra Raiders win against the Penrith Panthers on April 17, 2026?
The Canberra Raiders won a very close game against the Penrith Panthers with a final score of 20-16. The match went into golden point, and the Raiders scored the winning try in the 83rd minute.
Q: What was the score between the Raiders and Panthers before golden point?
Before going into golden point, the score was tied at 16-16. The Panthers had led for much of the game, but the Raiders made a comeback to force the extra period.
Q: Did Nathan Cleary miss a kick for the Panthers?
Yes, in the final moments of regular time, Nathan Cleary attempted a field goal from 37 metres out that hit the upright. This miss meant the game went to golden point, where the Raiders eventually won.
Q: Who scored the winning try for the Raiders against the Panthers?
Kaeo Weekes scored the match-winning try for the Canberra Raiders in the 83rd minute. This try came after a length-of-the-field play initiated by the Raiders following a missed Panthers kick.
Q: How did the Dolphins perform against the Panthers?
The Dolphins lost a very close game to the Penrith Panthers, with a final score of 23-22. Nathan Cleary kicked a field goal in the 85th minute to win the game for the Panthers.
Q: Did the Raiders also play the Melbourne Storm recently?
Yes, the Canberra Raiders also recently secured a victory against the Melbourne Storm. Details show the Raiders performed strongly, with Kaeo Weekes scoring a solo try in that match as well.