South Sydney's mixed start to the season has continued after squandering a 12-point lead to lose 30-22 to a resilient Canberra side.
The Rabbitohs woes are set to be compounded after losing Dylan Walker to a knee injury midway through the second half and George Burgess placed on report with a high tackle. The defending premiers have now lost three in a row – all with halfback Adam Reynolds sidelined with a knee injury.
While much of the post-game attention will be focused on the Rabbitohs' slide, the Raiders should be given due credit for their consecutive wins. Led by five-eighth Blake Austin and big men Josh Papalii and Frank-Paul Nuuausala, the Raiders raced in 26 half-time points in the six-try-to-four win.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said his team was far from its best. "We know we're capable and there is a lot of belief. We'll stand together. We've had great support up here. A lot of people travelled up and that's the disappointing part," he said.
"Raiders got momentum and that's key in our game."
Ricky Stuart said his Raiders held it together after a tough first half against the breeze. "You have to be tough people to be able to hang in there," he said.
"We weren't meant to win, we're just here to make up the numbers. That's the most pleasing part of it all. That's us as a club. We're not meant to win the big games.
"We've got belief in what we're doing. We're not the best team in the competition but we've just got to keep trying and keep building and growing and good things will come if you keep working hard."
Stuart had a none-too-subtle dig at Channel 9, saying the Raiders put on a decent show for the free-to-air television audience.
A reworked Rabbitohs line-up saw Alex Johnston play fullback and Greg Inglis partner Keary in the halves, but it was not enough to ignite the team.
The Raiders scored the opening try through winger Jordan Rapana after just four minutes. Having withstood a weight of possession, the Rabbitohs defence held on before they turned the tide to score three second-half tries.
Chris McQueen, playing his 100th game, scored in the 19th minute before Bryson Goodwin and Greg Inglis also crossed. The Rabbitohs held a 16-4 half-time lead. As they did in the first half, the Raiders started the game the stronger of the two sides after the break. Edrick Lee scored in the 43rd minute while Shannon Boyd stormed over for the Raiders' second try in five minutes.
When Keary scored the next points, the Rabbitohs seemed destined for victory, leading by eight with 20 minutes remaining. But a plucky Canberra side kept the pressure on. Papalii scored the next try and set up Austin for the Raiders' next to give them a 24-22 with 13 minutes remaining. The Raiders ensured victory when Lee scored his second try with two minutes to go.
