Raiders coach Ricky Stuart couldn’t hide his pride in his team for coming back from 10 points down to stun the Panthers in an epic 20-16 golden point victory in Round 25.
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The Raiders came back from 16-6 to beat the Storm with a stunning 95-metre Kaeo Weekes try off a Nathan Cleary field goal that hit the post to put one hand on the minor premiership with two rounds to go.
“They have got that in them,” Stuart said.
“That’s been quite evident all season. They play for each other and they’re a gritty competitive footy team.”
“We got character. But without downplaying the win, I don’t think we were that good tonight. I thought our attack was at times patchy and it was probably more of a gritty tough win than anything else.”
Stuart was proud of his side for being ready to go after coming off a bye, which isn’t always easy.
“I don’t care how we win but I think that type of game tonight, coming off a bye, is probably going to help us in regards to the way the game was played,” Stuart said.
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“Sometimes coming off a bye into those types of games is more of a disadvantage because you find it harder to get your second wind. It was a pretty one end to another end type of game there tonight.”
Ethan Strange set up the match winner, which was no surprise to Stuart who has backed him for a Kangaroos debut.
“He was very good again,” Stuart said.
Raiders skipper Joe Tapine was full of praise for his five-eighth after his stunning match winning try assist.
“I was watching from the 20 metre line I was gassed,” Tapine said.
“But someone who does stuff like that, people think it’s all talent but he’s worked hard to get to where he is.
“To see him pull that stuff off, especially in these tight games and the high pressure environments, really nice to see.”
Despite closing in on their first minor premiership, Stuart says his team will remain grounded heading into finals.
“We don’t listen to it,” Stuart said.
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“As much as people might think we do. Honestly, we’re just running our own race. We’re worried about tomorrow now.
“We’re going back tonight, worried about doing our review tomorrow and have Sunday off. “Honestly, the fortunate thing I’ve got a humble group of players and all we’re concerned about now is playing the Tigers.”
In a blow the Raiders lost Xavier Savage to a shoulder injury, which Stuart said would require scans.
“He will get scans tomorrow,” Stuart said.
“I can’t tell you 100% what it is. I haven’t spoken to our doctor at the moment.
“He wasn’t right to go back on. More likely the way he was holding me in the first half, I was probably a bit hard on him in regards to moving on with it, but I probably should have made that change in the first half. Poor bugger was pretty crook.”
