Big blow for the Raiders now as full back Ethan Sanders takes out Brian Kelly as the Eels wing tries to kick into the Canberra goal. Bunker checks it and disallows the penalty attempt, but instead Sanders is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. With Sanders’ regular partner Ethan Strange absent from the Origin rotation, the Raiders have no experience playing for the next 10 minutes.
The Eels attack Sanders’ usual spot in the defense immediately and second-rower Kelma Tuilagi hits, reaches and … drops the ball over the line. Or him? The ball slips out of his hands as he tries to tackle it on the try line, but the on-field umpire awards the try. Bunker is watching, and it is very close, but the attempt is confirmed.
That seems like a tough call for the Raiders but the Eels won’t mind one bit, and are in a good position – even after a couple of missed conversion attempts.
Eels 8, Raiders 0 after 26 minutes
