Canberra can dream of finals soccer for no less than one other week, seeing off St George Illawarra 24-22 in a tense affair to maintain tempo with the NRL’s prime eight.

With suspended coach Ricky Stuart watching from residence, the Raiders rattled off three straight tries after trailing within the first half, however needed to maintain on towards the fast-finishing Dragons.

Dragons five-eighth Talatau Amone accomplished his first profession hat-trick on 68 minutes to tug his aspect again inside six factors earlier than helping Tautau Moga to carry them to inside two simply 5 minutes from time.

However kicker Zac Lomax pushed his conversion try from the sideline extensive, permitting the Raiders to carry on.

They are going to finish spherical 22 nonetheless only one recreation again from the eighth-ranked Sydney Roosters with three video games earlier than the finals, however given their lacklustre factors distinction they’ll solely afford one Roosters win if they’re to leapfrog them into the eight.

Canberra no less than nailed the primary piece of the project at a wet GIO Stadium, with coaches Brett White, Andrew McFadden and Mick Crawley guiding the aspect to victory to finish the membership’s week of detrimental headlines in the easiest way attainable.

Younger fullback Xavier Savage had his fingerprints all around the win with two attempt assists, together with a candy grubber that allowed winger Albert Hopoate to attain, whereas additionally working for 158m.

With star prop Joe Tapine lacking with a rib damage, the Raiders’ forwards shared the load in protecting his hulking presence. They had been led by Josh Papalii (140m), Ryan Sutton (110m) and Hudson Younger (67m), who scored the sport’s opening attempt from a Zac Woolford grubber.