RECORDS KEEP TUMBLING FOR CROKER
At just 25, Canberra Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker overtook David Furner as the club's all-time leading point-scorer this year, and the try-scoring mantle is now in his sights. Only premiership players Jason Croker (120) and Brett Mullins (105) are ahead of him after his two first-half tries put him on 89, ahead of Laurie Daley (87). Croker can take that record as soon as next season and given he has several more years ahead of him, could post a figure which may not be broken for decades.
WIGHTON RESURGENCE CONTINUES
After breaking his form rut in emphatic style against Manly, Jack Wighton hadn't played for over three weeks due to a one-match suspension and last week's bye. But despite spilling an early bomb which led to a Titans try and dropping the ball over the try-line in the second half, he delivered his slickest attacking display of the year. Twice he put teammates away for tries, helping Brenko Lee and Jarrod Croker on their way to doubles. His timing when chiming into the back-line was a vast improvement on his first half of the year.
RAIDERS ON HOOKER WATCH
Canberra will have its fingers crossed Josh Hodgson and Kurt Baptiste conquer cognitive tests later this week after both were given early showers for concussions. Baptiste only lasted a few minutes before he went off groggy just before half-time, while Hodgson slumped to the ground in the second half. In their absence young lock Luke Bateman filled dummy-half duties. If both don't get up for next Sunday's home clash with Newcastle, Adam Clydsdale could be a chance for a club debut against his former side. But Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was extremely confident after the match both would be fit to play the Knights.
WHAT ARE THE RAIDERS CAPABLE OF?
Stuart was asked that exact question after the game and while he refused to fan the flames, it's something to mull over. Now just a point outside the top four, Canberra would fancy its chances of entrenching itself in the top eight at minimum over the next month. The Raiders have three straight home games against wooden spoon certainties Newcastle, North Queensland without its Origin stars on a chilly Monday night, a bye, then New Zealand Warriors. In the middle of winter Canberra usually pounce and it will need to before a tougher back end of the year to finish.
BRENKO PLAYS BEST FIRST GRADE GAME OF HIS CAREER
Unfairly or otherwise, Brenko Lee has copped a lot of stick from Raiders fans the past few weeks after coming in to replace injured cousin Edrick Lee. His detractors will be quiet for the next few days after he scored a double. "He had a great game, Brenko," Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker said. "He's played really well outside me in the absence of Eddie there and his talk's been really good, he's really growing as a player. I think we had Hodgso [Josh Hodgson] down [injured] in the middle of the field and we were struggling for numbers. He came up with a big [intercept] play and it was a 12-point turnaround for us."
