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Raiders' run riot after overcoming concerning slow start trend
Sam Kosack • July 27th, 2025 6:12 pm
The Raiders have survived a first half scare at home to down the Newcastle Knights 44-18 after being tied at halftime.
Two weeks in a row, the Raiders have started slowly against bottom four opponents seeing them equal or behind at the break.
The Raiders struck first through Kaeo Weekes before they proceeded to trade tries with the Knights for the rest of the first half.
Up 18-12 with less than a minute to go and possession, Jamal Fogarty attempted to spread the ball early, only for rookie centre Fletcher Hunt to pinch it from nowhere and cross for 18-all.
However, a second onslaught led by Jamal Fogarty, Joseph Tapine, and Corey Horsburgh got the Raiders on the front foot, running away to score 26 points in the second half and blow their opposition away.
It was similar themes against the Eels last week where the Raiders found themselves down by 6 at halftime.
“It was sort of like last week,” SEN’s Jimmy Smith said in commentary.
“It's almost a carbon copy, and it's again that 20-minute period.
“Back to back tries, the one right on halftime, sort of lose it in that last 20 when you thought they were on top, come out second half year, build nicely, changes up the kicking game with the wind, rolled their way through the middle, and then they've started to find a bit of joy getting at both edges.”
In both games, the Raiders came out firing in the second half, blowing their lesser-ranked competition away but it’s a trend the Raiders will need to buck as they approach finals.
The Knights were valiant in defeat, missing several key players including Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe, but were simply outclassed by the Raiders.
Kai Pearce-Paul was strong for the visitors, with SEN’s Lewis Sheppard saying they deserved better than the result suggested.
“They don't deserve that Newcastle,” Sheppard said on SEN League.
“They've been tough, they like to muddy the waters and they've certainly been in the fight here today.”
The Knights next take on the Panthers, who are looking for eight-straight wins, while the Raiders play the Dragons as they continue in their bid for the minor premiership.
