Rugby league has a funny way of balancing itself out.
The Dragons and Raiders have now been handed wins against each other this season in “almost identical” controversial fashion.
Canberra led 24-22 on Sunday afternoon when St George Illawarra winger Matt Feagai made a 70-metre break with just 10 seconds left in the game.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Feagai was tackled 15 meters out from the Raiders’ line when Corey Harawira-Naera laid on top of him as time expired.
“They’re told to get up, penalty brewing, but referee (Adam Gee) says that will do us, oh it’s almost identical,” Brenton Speed said on Fox League.
“Round 16 all over again in reverse. The Dragons are thinking ‘where’s our penalty’ that the Raiders did not get in Wollongong but Adam Gee says that is full-time and Canberra’s season is still alive and the Dragons are done.”
Back in July, the Raiders were robbed of an opportunity to kick a penalty goal to send their clash with the Dragons to golden point.
Canberra had the ball in front of the goalposts on the fifth tackle, when Ben Hunt and Jack Bird intentionally slowed the play-the-ball.
The Raiders were awarded a six again before Hunt charged from market to tackle dummy-half Tom Starling — a play which NRL head of football Graham Annesley later admitted should have been awarded a penalty.
Annesley also conceded a penalty could have been awarded for the flop and an off-side call in the lead-up to the fifth tackle.
Broncos make light work of Knights | 02:15
MORE NRL NEWS
‘NO WORDS’: Taumalolo’s emotional press conference in wake of Paul Green’s death
WHISPERS: Knights half eyes early exit, Panthers link to Tigers star heats up
‘IT’S JUST WRONG’: Outrage after Warriors’ ‘shoey’ fan cops lifetime ban
‘WASTE’: Key Hunt call could force gun out as NRL great explodes at Dragons
BIG HITS: Missing link returns to ignite Broncos, Knights’ ‘awful’ problem
The scenes reversed on Sunday afternoon as a stunned Dragons coach Anthony Griffin looked on in disbelief.
“He should have been penalized at the very least for a professional foul,” Braith Anasta said on Fox League.
“There was just one last shove from (Harawira-Naera), because as Feagai was getting tackled the clock was ticking down… but there was a little shove,” Greg Alexander said.
“It’s incredible that we’ve had both teams win games in very similar circumstances.”
But speaking in the post-game press conference, Griffin wasn’t too upset about what he had played out — he even conceded it was “a little bit ironic” given what had happened in Round 16.
Asked if I found the ending frustrating Griffin said: “Nah, it’s probably a little bit ironic compared to the first game.
“We just ran out of time, it was a fantastic linebreak at that time of the game and the captain did everything he could with his kicking game to get us into field position and put Matty away,” he added.
“We just needed one more play the ball but that’s the way the world works.”
Dragons young gun Talatau Amone has bagged an early double to get his side out to a 12-6 lead over the Raiders in a must-win clash at GIO Stadium.
MATCH CENTER: Raiders vs Dragons live updates, video, stats
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
19TH MINUTE
Talatau Amone backed up his try with another one. Jack Bird got around a Raider and then offloaded to Amone who dived over the line.
6TH MINUTE
The Dragons hit back through young gun Talatau Amone who had to push through several Raiders players to ground the ball.
1ST MINUTE
It didn’t take long for the Raiders to get on the board with Hudson Young pouncing on a Zac Woolford grubber to score.
MATCH PREVIEW
Ricky Stuart will be forced to watch from home when his Raiders take on the Dragons in a must-win clash at GIO Stadium to keep their final hopes alive.
Stuart was suspended by the NRL after his “weak-gutted dog” spray directed at Panthers player Jaeman Salmon last weel.
The Dragons are also still in the finals hunt but after losing to the Sharks last week they now sit two wins outside of the eight.
If they are to get sneak into the finals they’ll need to win all four of their last games — but they’ll do it without veteran Tariq Sims who has been banned for a careless high tackle. Josh McGuire moves into the starting side for Sims and Tyrell Fuemaono joins the bench.
In a boost for the side, Cody Ramsey returns from a knee injury at fullback, forcing Moses Mbye into the centers and Jack Bird to lock.
The Raiders welcome back electric fullback Xavier Savage from an ankle injury but will be without star prop Joe Tapine and winger Nick Cotric.
Tapine has succumbed to a rib injury that was suffered last week, while Cotric is out through suspension.
Emre Guler replaces Tapine in the starting pack with Corey Horsburgh joining the bench after a successful return from pneumonia via reserve grade last week.
Meanwhile, Savage’s return allows Albert Hopoate shift to the wing to replace Cotric.
TEAMS
raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Replacement player: 18. James Schiller
Dragon’s: 21. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 1. Moses Mbye 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh Mcguire 12. Jaydn Su ‘A 3. Jack Bird 13. Michael Molo 15. Aaron Woods 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Billy Burns. Replacement player: 20. Jayden Hunt
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Follow the action live in our blog below. If you can’t see it, click here.
The Dragons’ coaching clean-out has continued with the club letting go NRL great James Graham from his role mentoring the club’s elite pathways.
Graham is a hugely respected figure in the game but the former England captain becomes the third St George Illawarra staffer to be axed in the past fortnight.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin decided to part ways with his assistant coaches Peter Gentle and Mathew Head last week.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Round 21
NRL
Aug 04 7:50pm AEST
FT
Roosters
3. 4
broncos
16
MATCH CENTER
*Odds are current as of 6th August 2022, 7:30am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
NRL
Aug 05 6:00pm AEST
FT
Storm
32
titans
14
MATCH CENTER
*Odds are current as of 6th August 2022, 7:30am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
NRL
Aug 05 7:55pm AEST
FT
Sea Eagles
twenty
eels
36
MATCH CENTER
*Odds are current as of 6th August 2022, 7:30am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
NRL
Aug 06 3:00pm AEST
rabbitohs
Warriors
MATCH CENTER
$1.08
$8.00
BET
*Odds are current as of 6th August 2022, 7:30am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
NRL
Aug 06 5:30pm AEST
raiders
panthers
MATCH CENTER
$2.20
$1.67
BET
*Odds are current as of 6th August 2022, 7:30am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
NRL
Aug 06 7:35pm AEST
Shark’s
Dragon’s
MATCH CENTER
$1.26
$3.90
BET
*Odds are current as of 6th August 2022, 7:30am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
NRL
Aug 07 2:00pm AEST
bulldog
cowboys
MATCH CENTER
$3.90
$1.26
BET
*Odds are current as of 6th August 2022, 7:30am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
NRL
Aug 07 4:05pm AEST
Tigers
knights
MATCH CENTER
$1.45
$2.75
BET
*Odds are current as of 6th August 2022, 7:30am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
But the trio shown the door have agreed to see out the remainder of the season, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Graham is reportedly now setting his sights on working for England at the World Cup at the end of the year.
James Graham at the Dragons.Source: Supplied
MORE NRL NEWS
WHISPERS: Titans’ odd man out revealed, four clubs plot raid for Cowboys star
LATE MAIL: Storm considered big Munster switch; Panthers to unleash sensation
RESURGENCE: How Dogs escaped Baz’s ‘shackles’ as roster calls wake sleeping giant
Graham has also worked at the club in a corporate executive role this season, where his profile was a major lure for sponsors.
The 36-year-old played 423 first grade games in the Super League and NRL, while also representing England 44 times.
Graham has a strong influence in rugby league, with high-profile media roles on Fox League and Triple M.
The former Bulldogs and Dragons player was reportedly shocked by the club’s decision to let him go.
Walker perfection sets up Butcher | 01:20
MORE NRL NEWS
‘BIGGEST JOKE’: Reynolds’ stand as Klemmer call leaves teammates ‘frustrated’
HOOPER: O’Brien blow-up exposes Knights divide; Roosters move to wrap up star
HEALTH CHECK: Bellamy’s nightmare laid bare as Des’ dream on brink of collapse
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
The divide in the Newcastle dressing room has been simmering for the past few months with Knights coach Adam O’Brien telling the playing group after a recent loss: “I know what you blokes are saying about me. I’m going nowhere.”
The point blank message from O’Brien can be revealed as the Knights go into damage control in the wake of the coach’s loose carry press conference last Sunday.
O’Brien fronted the media again on Tuesday to try and walk things back off the cliff but by that stage the cracks in the Newcastle dressing room had been prized wide open.
The David Klemmer situation has only driven a further wedge into the struggling club which has only managed five wins out of 19 games this year.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The Knights started this season full of optimism after back-to-back wins over the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers before going on a run of seven losses leading into Magic Round.
It’s been slim pickings since with Newcastle now having the worst defensive record in the NRL having leaked 522 points at an average of 27.47 points per game along with currently having the worst differential in the competition of minus 238 points.
There’s no question O’Brien’s penchant for a blow-up is wearing thin with elements of the Newcastle playing group.
The problem for O’Brien is in 2022 it’s so much easier to get rid of a head coach than it is to completely try and turn over a roster.
The old saying goes you’ve never really been a head coach until you’ve lost four games in a row and the heat is on – which is exactly where O’Brien finds himself now.
‘AT A TIPPING POINT’: Knights at a crossroads, O’Brien feels for running ‘soft ship’
David Klemmer’s future at Newcastle is clouded. NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph
The Knights are adamant O’Brien will remain as the head coach next season but the biggest immediate challenge the Newcastle coach faces is getting the playing group all back on the same page.
New Director of Football Peter Parr has arrived at Newcastle and could only be shaking his head at the bun fight he’s walked into.
O’Brien is signed with Newcastle until the end of 2024 which if the Knights stay the course would mean he’s had a five-year tenure at the club.
After the events of the past week it’s now become blatantly clear the Knights coach needs a fast start to next season to ensure his own job security.
Let’s call the Klemmer play from Newcastle for what it is – the Knights are clearly trying to free up some money to try and go in a different direction next season.
Klemmer is on $800,000-plus which would give Newcastle some serious money to go to the open market with.
Plenty of ex-players are happy to tell you middle forwards often protest against being dragged from the field.
Newcastle have clearly identified they no longer want the ex-NSW and Australian prop at the Knights and so have started the process of steering him towards another club.
Adam O’Brien has come under scrutiny this week. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ROOSTERS MOVE TO LOCK UP WALKER
The Sydney Roosters are set to launch a multi-million dollar play aimed at keeping young gun halfback Sam Walker at the Tricolours long-term.
Walker, 20, will be a free agent for rival clubs to approach as of November 1 but like all the good clubs the Roosters will try and make sure they strike a deal well beforehand.
The other rookie who has everyone talking at the Chooks is emerging superstar Joseph Suaalii. The Roosters clearly value his contribution to the team at the point where champion frontrower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been bringing him into leading the club’s team song over the past fortnight.
Jared has long been the Roosters leader in charge of leading the team song. Even after the Roosters were disappointed with their round 20 win over Manly, JWH still insisted on Suaalii riding shot gun with him leading the celebrations.
Nofoaluma vows to honor Tigers deal | 01:16
MORE NRL NEWS
‘DONE 100’: Roosters star Keary’s confession reveals NRL big hip-drop problem
STADIUM WARS: NRL’s $800m threat to NSW govt over stadium funding backflip
‘VERY FEW LIVE BY 10 COMMANDMENTS’: Anonymous player blasts Manly seven
‘EMBARRASSING’: NRL slammed for ‘dumbest explanation’ over star’s non-charge
DRAGONS CHASE ROOSTERS HOOKER
THE Gold Coast Titans aren’t the only club having a crack at signing Sydney Roosters hooker Sam Verrills.
The St George Illawarra Dragons are also making a play for the premiership-winning no.9.
Where it gets interesting is the Dragons have had a tough conversation with current hooker Andrew McCullough.
McCullough, 32, still has a year to run on his contract next season but the Red V are clearly exploring going in a different direction.
McCullough is one of the ex-Broncos clique of Dragons players who enjoys a close rapport with Red V coach Anthony Griffin.
The hooker, Dragons captain Ben Hunt and Josh Maguire all played in an under 20s grand finale with the Broncos in 2008 when Griffin was the coach.
‘This is what gives me the s****!’ | 02:04
FARAH GETS HANDS ON IN TIGERS FRONT OFFICE
The Wests Tigers putting the band back together with Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah is a smart play from the struggling club.
What’s equally as smart is Farah’s new contract stipulating that he’s also set to learn the ropes in terms of front office administration with the club.
The Tigers have long been laughed at by rival clubs about the way the club has been run.
Getting a figurehead like Farah who has bled for the club more hands-on in this department makes a lot of sense.
SOUTHS MOVE TO KEEP LATRELL, CODY AT REDFERN
We told you last week how South Sydney had a delicate $6 million balancing act on their hands around the re-signings of superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell and five-eighth star Cody Walker.
We were told there was a big chance the two key position players would wait until after November 1 to re-commit to South Sydney.
The Rabbitohs have swiftly moved to try and nip the scenario in the bud by meeting with the star duo earlier this week.
Both Latrell and Cody are off-contract at the end of next season but with talks progressing positively there’s every chance they can soon re-commit to the Bunnies.
It will be a huge coup for the red and green club and also for CEO Blake Solly.
The Panthers have turned to Sean O’Sullivan and Jaeman Salmon in the halves as the defending premiers try to navigate the rest of the regular season without stars Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Cleary will miss the rest of the regular season after he was sent off and banned for five matches for an ugly spear tackle on Parramatta’s Dylan Brown, while Luai continues to recover from a knee injury.
O’Sullivan has shown he can fill in for the rep stars when required, but it’s a huge call bringing in Salmon, given he hasn’t started a game at five-eighth since 2019 when he played seven games for the Eels in the No .6 jumper.
Coach Ivan Cleary could yet spring a late change with rookie Kurt Falls named in the reserves for Saturday’s trip to take on the resurgent Raiders.
In a boost for the Panthers, center Stephen Crichton returns from his sickening head clash with Cronulla’s Dale Finucane which required emergency plastic surgery to repair an ear.
Canberra winger Jordan Rapana is back from suspension and replaces Albert Hopoate on the right wing as the Raiders try to keep their top-eight hopes alive.
The Broncos have named Kobe Hetherington at lock in place of the suspended Patrick Carrigan for Thursday’s blockbuster against the Roosters.
Brisbane’s hopes of returning to the top four have been helped with winger Selwyn Cobbo back for his first game since he was knocked out early in the State of Origin decider.
Lindsay Collins was also knocked out in that game and he’ll miss Thursday’s match after he suffered another head knock against the Sea Eagles last week. Teammate Egan Butcher is also missing through suspension, which means Matt Lodge will start.
The Storm welcome back Brandon Smith after his three-game ban for verbally abusing referee Adam Gee. He’ll start from the bench while mid-season recruit David Nofoaluma starts on the wing to bolster their weakened backline.
That backline has taken more damage with Nick Meaney (shoulder) and Justin Olam (Covid) both sidelined for Friday’s match against the Titans, but there is a chance rep winger Xavier Coates returns for his first game since the State of Origin opener when he hurt his ankle.
Toby Sexton has been “rested” which means AJ Brimson moves to the halves with Jayden Campbell set to start at fullback against the team he made his NRL debut against last year.
Six members of the “Sea Eagles seven” have been included in this week’s squad, but Josh Aloiai will miss Friday’s crucial clash with Parramatta because of injury.
Josh Schuster has been named in the No.18 jersey.
The Eels have called on Jake Arthur to replace the injured Mitch Moses for the rest of the regular season as he nurses a broken finger. It’ll be the young half’s first game since he was booed by some Parramatta fans in Round 19.
There will be a very special debut at Shark Park on Saturday night with Kade Dykes set to make his NRL debut at fullback.
The 20-year-old will become a third-generation Shark after his dad Adam and grandfather John both represented the club.
Dykes comes in for Will Kennedy, who will miss the rest of the regular season with a serious ankle injury.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has stuck with the same 17 who scored just one try against North Queensland last week, which has their final hopes on life support.
The Cowboys have suffered a setback with try-scoring machine Kyle Feldt ruled out for two weeks with a hamstring injury. His place has been taken by speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Meanwhile, Newcastle prop David Klemmer has been stood down by the club for an on-field incident during the Knights’ clash with the Bulldogs. He is ineligible to play until he responds to the club-imposed sanction.
