Canberra Raiders suffered a tough 30-22 defeat against Dolphins in an action-packed Round 12 clash at GIO Stadium on Thursday night.
The Raiders started strong in front of their home crowd, with late inclusion Jed Stuart crossing early to give Canberra momentum. The game quickly turned into a fast-paced battle, with both sides trading tries throughout the night.
One of the biggest moments came when Corey Horsburgh scored one of the strangest tries of the season after a chaotic bounce near the posts confused defenders and landed perfectly for the Raiders forward. The crowd erupted as Canberra fought to stay in the contest.
However, the Dolphins’ attack proved too strong in the second half, led by star halfback Isaiya Katoa, who controlled the game with smart kicking and creative playmaking. The win marked the Dolphins’ fourth straight victory as they continue climbing the NRL ladder.
After the match, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart made headlines by leaving his post-game press conference after just 108 seconds, appearing frustrated with several refereeing decisions during the game.
Despite the loss, Raiders fans still saw plenty of positives, including strong effort from the forward pack and moments of brilliance in attack. Canberra will now look to bounce back when they face the North Queensland Cowboys next weekend.
For Raiders supporters, it was a frustrating night — but one that showed the team still has plenty of fight left in the 2026 season.
