Eels shut out Raiders in first half as they look to snap losing streak

A big coup for the Raiders as halfback Ethan Sanders tackled Brian Kelly as the Eels winger tried to get a kick into the Canberra goal. Bunker takes a look at this and rules out a penalty try, but Sanders is instead sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. With Sanders’ usual fly-half partner Ethan Strange on Origin duty, the Raiders’ playmaking experience is fairly light over the next 10 minutes.

The Eels immediately pounce on Sanders in his usual place in the defensive line and second rower Kelma Tuilagi passes through, reaches out and… drops the ball over the line. Or is it? The ball comes out of his hands as he tries to hit it on the try line, but the on-field umpire awards the try. The shelter takes a look and is very close, but the try is approved.

This looks like a tough call for the Raiders, but the Eels won’t care at all and they’re in a great spot even after a couple of missed conversion attempts.

Eels 8, Raiders 0, 26 minutes from now