Friday night footy: Raiders vs Storm; Cowboys vs Panthers
The Raiders’ long connection with Seiffert Oval—eight seasons from 1982 to 1990—will bring a hint of nostalgia as the Green Machine returns to Queanbeyan for Friday night’s clash.
A sizeable crowd is expected for a heavyweight duel between the defending minor premiers and last year’s runners-up, while BB Print Stadium in Mackay will be packed as the Cowboys host the Panthers.
After the Panthers’ title hopes were dashed in 2025, they’ll aim for a fast start this season, taking on the Cowboys and Wests Tigers before a Round 1 showdown with the Broncos, who eliminated them in an epic finals battle at Suncorp Stadium.
Follow all the action from Round 2 of the 2026 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge on NRL.com’s live blog.
Raiders v Storm at Seiffert Oval
73 min: The Storm finally cross the line as Jordan Hamlin crafts a move along the short side and sends Liam Williams over for a try. Amaziah Murgha converts. Raiders 28-6.
72 min: Storm five-eighth Eli Morris is ruled to have been high contacted by Mark Tuialii, who is sin-binned. Morris appeared to be slipping when Tuialii pressed in to make a tackle.
68 min: Seb Kris powers through from 20 metres out, scoring Canberra’s sixth try of the night. Chevy Stewart adds the extras. Raiders 28-0.
66 min: Vena Patuki-Case dives over but is held up, and the Raiders boot the ball on the last tackle. Storm cover well and clear.
59 min: Sione Finau grubbers and Seb Kris taps the ball to Eli Morris in the in-goal, who races in to ground it. Storm forced a dropout.
54 min: Jalen Afamasaga bursts from the ruck and slices through from 20 metres to score. Ethan Alaia converts. Raiders 22-0.
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51 min: A left-edge move sees Seb Kris draw two defenders, then flick to Sione Finau for a try. Finau previously starred in the Charity Shield for Dragons. Alaia misses the conversion. Raiders 16-0.
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45 min: Ethan Alaia delivers a sensational overhead pass to Saxon Innes, who scores in the corner for the Raiders’ third try. Alaia misses the conversion. Raiders 12-0.
44 min: Marion Seve looks to score for the Storm but loses the ball attempting to ground it. Raiders recover and sprint 80 metres before Sione Finua is ankle-tapped; video referee confirms ‘no try’.
Forward momentum: Vena Patuki-Case (7 runs, 84 metres, 3 tackle breaks) and Joe Roddy (14 runs, 95 metres) were standout Raiders performers, while centre Savelio Tamale caused problems with six tackle breaks and 75 run metres.
Half-time: Raiders lead 8-0 thanks to Michael Asomua’s double. Possession favored the Raiders at 58%, with 22 sets to Melbourne’s 18.
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36 min: Michael Asomua powers over for his second try after a sweeping move to the right from around 30 metres out. Chevy Stewart again misses the conversion. Raiders 8-0.
32 min: Storm’s end-of-set decision backfires as Alan Holten darts from dummy half and is easily shut down.
31 min: Ethan Alaia kicks out on the full; Storm take advantage and go inside the red zone.
29 min: Michael Asomua contends a high ball but spills it just short of the line. A high-shot penalty then helps Melbourne move upfield.
25 min: Savelio Tamale shows footwork to create space, but a wayward pass from Owen Pattie halts the Raiders’ progress.
23 min: Raiders prop Sam Hyde powers onto the ball and is held up just short by determined Storm defense.
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Michael Asomua Try
19 min: First points to the Raiders as Daine Laurie’s perfectly weighted grubber sets up Michael Asomua to dive in on the right edge. Chevy Stewart misses the conversion. Raiders 4-0.
17 min: Daine Laurie lofts a high ball; Hugo Peel wins the contested catch, then Laurie makes a tackle to force a Storm dropout.
16 min: A strong Cooper Clarke run creates good field position, but Jordan Hamlin’s subsequent kick sails out on the full.
12 min: Eli Morris bombs the corner; Michael Asomua covers strongly and the Raiders win a penalty to reset.
8 min: Marion Seve powers through a tackle and offloads, but Daine Laurie knocks it on; Storm win the scrum and press, though Hugo Peel fumbles the return.
3 min: Early Raiders pressure ends with Mark Tuialii ruled for obstruction after drifting behind a teammate; Storm take advantage.
Late Mail
Raiders: Ethan Alaia starting at five-eighth (No. 18). Jalen Afamasaga listed on the bench as a five-eighth option. Matty Nicholson (England) captains the Raiders.
Storm: No late changes to the side named previously. New recruits Davvy Moale and Jack Hetherington start in the front row, with Trent Loiero and Ativalu Lisati the only 2025 grand final players in tonight’s lineup.
Cowboys v Panthers at BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Late Mail
Cowboys: Englishman John Bateman is out with a wrist injury.
Panthers: Ivan Cleary’s team remains unchanged for the Mackay clash.
