Phil Graham scores a try for Canberra
Gold Coast Titans maintained third spot on the NRL ladder despite a 34-28 loss to the Raiders in Canberra, with Phil Graham and Josh Miller each scoring two tries for the home side in front of a crowd of 9,800 on a freezing Sunday afternoon.
A shocking leg injury to young Canberra winger, Justin Carney took the gloss off the Raiders’ win. Carney, originally from Dubbo, suffered a compound fracture and double break to the right leg while defending near his line in the 18th minute. While Carney was being attended to by medical staff, players spoke about digging deep for their distressed teammate.
The Raiders were well on their way to achieving their goal when they led 28-6 at halftime, and then 34-16 with 14 minutes left. But they relaxed their intensity and the Titans surged back through tries to Chris Walker and Preston Campbell and two conversions by captain, Scott Prince.
Canberra were deserved victors, with forwards Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and David Shillington outstanding, with halfback, Marc Herbert capitalising on the pack’s go-forward dominance. Second rower, Anthony Laffranchi was the Titans’ best. Shillington’s display saw him selected for his State of Origin debut for Queensland.
I covered the Canberra game for ‘The Courier-Mail’ with the likes of Brent Reed (The Australian); Sharon Mathieson (Australian Associated Press) and Greg Prichard (Sydney Morning Herald) also in the media area, which was out in the grandstand, with the wind from the Snowies blowing in. Scott Prince’s manager, Steve Robinson had the right idea, wearing gloves. He felt sorry for me and shouted a coffee.
Former Raider, Clinton Schifcofske said hello as he left the stand. Schifcofske was contracted to Irish Rugby Union province, Ulster at the time and told me he hoped to become a player manager.
When I returned to Brisbane the next day, I had to file a story predicting the Queensland side. I got it right, and someone on 4BC Radio (I forget who) suggested to Chairman of Selectors, Des Morris that he always gave the team to me. Not true. It was just good detective work.
In New Zealand, the rugby league fraternity was mourning the loss of former Test players, Cyril Paskell and Ian Grey. Paskell, a winger from Christchurch, represented the Kiwis in the 1953 Test series against Australia. Grey, a utility player from Auckland, made his Test debut during the 1954 World Cup in France, and also toured Britain and France with the 1955-56 Kiwis. He emigrated to Australia and was chairman of the Victorian Rugby League from 1988 to 1993.
Footnote: Clinton Schifcofske realised his dream of becoming a player-manager. Justin Carney returned from that shocking leg injury and finished his career in England with Hull Kingston Rovers, in 2018.
About Author
