<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>327551</docID> <postdate>2024-08-24 17:17:54</postdate> <headline>Stunning Raiders beat Panthers to keep season alive</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-327552" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240824189859777025-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Winger Xavier Savage has scored two tries in Canberra's upset home win over Penrith. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By<strong> Jacob Shteyman</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Canberra have kept their slim NRL finals hopes alive with a stirring 22-18 comeback win against a Penrith side sorely missing star halfback Nathan Cleary.</strong></p> <p>With nine minutes left, down by two points and defending their own try-line, Raiders centre Matt Timoko intercepted a Jarome Luai pass and handed it to Xavier Savage to sprint the length of the field.</p> <p>The GIO Stadium faithful could scarcely believe this was the same Canberra side that capitulated so meekly in their 42-4 loss to North Queensland last time out.</p> <p>With their unlikely victory over the triple-reigning premiers, the Raiders pulled level on points with Brisbane and the Dolphins (26) and two short of St George Illawarra in eighth place on the ladder.</p> <p>After Canberra coach Ricky Stuart slammed his players for being "spoilt" the week prior, Savage played like he had a point to prove.</p> <p>As winds swirled above, Jamal Fogarty tormented Brian To'o with his howitzer of a right boot.</p> <p>The Panthers winger just managed to hang onto Fogarty's first two volleys but on his third effort Savage snatched a high ball above To'o, who misjudged the flight of the bomb and leaped too late.</p> <p>Savage spun away and sped past Casey McLean before reaching out a long right arm to plant the ball in the corner.</p> <p>Slow starts have become an unhealthy habit for Penrith, conceding first points for the fourth game in a row.</p> <p>But they hit back through hooker Luke Sommerton and Daine Laurie either side of a Kaeo Weekes four-pointer for the hosts, to go into the interval with a 12-10 lead.</p> <p>After James Fisher-Harris crashed over in the second half it looked like the Panthers would show their class and hold on.</p> <p>But a try to winger Albert Hopoate and Savage's runaway four-pointer sealed a memorable upset for the Green Machine.</p> <p>Penrith never looked fluent without Cleary, who has been ruled out of the rest of the home-and-away season with a shoulder injury.</p> <p>Stand-in halfback Brad Schneider never looked fully at ease and left the bulk of the playmaking to halves partner Jarome Luai.</p> <p>Prop Joe Tapine was a standout for the Raiders, running for 129 metres with the ball and creating two line-break assists with his dangerous offloads.</p> <p>With their second straight loss, the Panthers risk dropping out of the top four with Cronulla and the Sydney Roosters nipping at their heels.</p> </body>