Warriors crash Croker party with crushing win in Canberra
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The Warriors spoiled the party for Jarrod Croker’s 300th game, digging in defensively before thrashing a woeful Canberra 36-14 at GIO Stadium on Friday night.
A try-of-the-year candidate from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak helped the New Zealanders overcome an early pummelling and blitz the woeful Raiders to maintain their charge towards a first finals appearance since 2018.
What was meant to be a celebration for Croker – just the second Canberra player to reach 300 games – quickly turned sour with five straight Warriors tries overturning a 6-0 first-half deficit.
The huge win leaves the Warriors 8-6 for the season and with a share of third place, continuing a brilliant first campaign under new coach Andrew Webster.
It took guts defensively, Canberra dominating territory with 27 tackles in their opponents’ 20-metre zone to the Warriors’ seven through 45 minutes, before the visitors turned the game on its head and cut the Raiders to ribbons.
Canberra old boy Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad came back to bite the hand that used to feed him, scoring a brilliant second-half try in a best-on-ground display that included 178 metres run and four tackle busts.
Jarrod Croker’s 300th game for Canberra did not go to plan.Credit: Getty
Halfback Shaun Johnson had another fantastic night in what is quickly becoming a vintage season, scoring a try and finding three assists to again drive his side to victory.
Canberra dominated the opening 20 minutes, outrunning the Warriors by 200 metres and winning 80 per cent of territory. The visitors’ resolute defence kept them level until Jack Wighton gathered his own kick and crossed.
The Warriors competed a player down for 10 minutes, after bench forward Mitch Barnett drilled Jordan Rapana with a high shot, but found a way to level things up via a remarkable acrobatic grounding from Watene-Zelezniak.
They put themselves in the frame for the upset win via Nicoll-Klokstad’s carving effort early in the second half, then bench prop Tom Ale put them 18-8 ahead.
Albert Hopoate pulls the hair of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.Credit: Getty
Luke Metcalf and Wayde Egan also crossed as the margin ballooned, Canberra surely questioning how they once again rolled over on home turf in embarrassing fashion.
The hosts scored a late consolation through Josh Papali’i before a lazy pass from fullback Sebastian Kris was picked off for a comical Johnson try.
They add this 22-point defeat to losses of 41 and 28 points at home this year to Penrith and Manly, respectively.
Stony-faced through the week-long build-up to his milestone, Croker wiped away tears after entering the field hand-in-hand with his three-year-old son as 21,082 fans stood and applauded.
AAP
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